Criminal Justice Team Lead

Aarya Chowdhry

Aarya currently co-leads Criminal Justice Policy in the Policy department and is an Outreach Intern in the Education department at YIP. Fortunate to call Kanpur, India, her hometown, she is an avid reader, learner and poet.

Curious and passionate about gender and educational equality in India, she has been an active advocate for the rights of women and LGBTQ+ communities in her country since the moment she could recognize the disparities around her. Previously a member of Bay Area Youth Climate Summit, she continues to grow her interest and participation in working towards humanitarian and environmental causes.

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Hindu Nationalism and Policies Pertaining to the LGBTQ+ in India

Capstone Project

My Research Paper addresses the growing effect of Hindu Nationalism on the treatment of the LGBTQ+ in India, more urgently the Transgender community, and the policies towards them. It provides background for biases and the establishment for Hindu Nationalism and solutions for the same.

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All articles by the author

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Policy Briefs by the author

Sexual Abuse in Prisons: Prioritizing Rehabilitation and Safety

Criminal Justice

May 29, 2024

This brief aims to analyze the complex issue of sexual abuse in prison, including but not limited to prison rape and abuse, sexual assault, and both inmate-inmate and inmate-staff sexual conduct. It will propose policy solutions to protect incarcerated people and minimize the effects that sexual abuse has on prisons.

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The Pitfalls of Surveillance Technology: Policy Analysis and Solutions

Criminal Justice

May 29, 2024

This brief analyzes the pitfalls of surveillance technology and how to counteract biased systems in an increasingly digitized world.

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Betrayal Behind The Bars: Curbing Corruption in Prisons

Criminal Justice

March 1, 2024

This brief examines prison corruption on the different levels of the criminal justice system, from guard bribery to corrupt private prisons. This brief also explores solutions to minimize prison corruption on all levels.

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Breaking the Silence: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Courts

Criminal Justice

February 13, 2024

This brief explores the efficacy of domestic violence courts and how to optimize them for fair and comprehensive rulings. This brief will acknowledge the flaws within the court system and provide solutions to fix those issues and ensure justice for all.

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Ending the "War on Drugs": Highlighting Effective Treatment for Substance Abuse in the Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice

January 23, 2024

The policy brief provides an overview of the historical trajectory of drug policies in the United States, discussing the shift from punitive measures to evidence-based, rehabilitative approaches within the criminal justice system. It highlights the effectiveness of various solutions such as cognitive therapy, medical interventions, and sustained support in mitigating recidivism and addressing the broader complexities of substance abuse and mental health within the justice system.

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Race and Justice: Analyzing Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice

August 9, 2023

From law enforcement and prosecution to incarceration and sentencing, people of color in the United States are far more vulnerable to incrimination than others. The root cause of this remains the underlying racial and ethnic disparities in the dispensing of justice at its various stages. This brief examines the historical and sociopolitical factors that have contributed to these developments and suggests changes to make our justice system equal, unbiased and democratically just.

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Equal Justice for All? An Impartial Look at Gender Disparities within the Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice

September 15, 2023

This brief aims to analyze gender disparities in the criminal justice system and propose legislation to enforce equality. We find that sexism in criminal justice is an expansive issue affecting all gender identities and that policy solutions should target reproductive health, mental health, and intersectional disparities between LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals.

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Democracy Beyond Bars: Bringing Political Prisoners to Light

Criminal Justice

November 21, 2023

The term “political prisoner” refers to a person detained, incarcerated, or facing legal consequences due to their political beliefs and activities. Over the years, the criminal justice system has inhabited many political prisoners for several reasons, mainly due to controversial movements and opinions. While free speech and the freedom to express oneself is a concrete law in the Constitution, there is still an increasing controversy around political prisoners and how they affect national security, individual rights, and government transparency.

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Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Policy Solutions for a Rehabilitative Juvenile Justice System

Criminal Justice

December 4, 2023

This brief explores whether the juvenile justice system accomplishes its goals of effectively rehabilitating youth offenders, or if it instead creates paranoia and instigates repeat offenders. It will recommend programs, practices, and legislation that could minimize the system’s incriminating effect on young lawbreakers and focus on rehabilitation.

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