The RISE Court (Reentry through Intensive Supervision and Employment) is the Southern District of New York’s reentry program dedicated to assuring the successful reentry into society of certain at-risk supervisees on supervised release. The RISE Court is an outgrowth of an SDNY effort to reduce recidivism among those on supervised release through initiatives that encourage employment and self-awareness. Each RISE Court is run by a federal judge, who is assisted by a probation officer, pro bono attorneys, and others. The first RISE Court was launched in January 2019. Since then, fifteen RISE Court cohorts have been completed. To graduate, participants must appear before the RISE Court judge on a bi-weekly basis for approximately one year to discuss his or her living and employment situation, legal and financial issues, and progress on completing a behavioral wellness program. Upon successful completion of the program, the RISE Court judge recommends to the participants’ sentencing judges a reduction in their supervised release term of at least 12 months.

On June 12, 2025, the Southern District of New York will host a graduation ceremony for the graduates of RISE Court classes: RISE I, RISE II, RISE IV, and RISE White Plains. Graduates will be joined by family, friends, members of the RISE Court Pro Bono initiative, and even some of their sentencing judges to celebrate their achievement. Additionally, the RISE Court is proud to welcome Damian Williams, who served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York between 2021 and 2024, as the keynote speaker at the graduation. At the end of the ceremony, RISE Court graduates will receive plaques commemorating their achievements. A reception will follow.