Mayor Adams Appoints Ana Bermudez as Probation Commissioner and Deanna Logan as Criminal Justice Director

February 28, 2022

Video available at: https://youtu.be/0r8UFO4aAS8

Mayor Announces New Commitment to Connect Every Young Person on Probation With a Credible Messenger Mentor

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the reappointment of Ana M. Bermúdez, Esq. as commissioner of the Department of Probation (DOP) and the appointment of Deanna Logan, Esq. as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ). 

“The prerequisite to prosperity is safety and justice —and the two go hand in hand,” said Mayor Adams. “If we are going to make our city safer and more just for all New Yorkers, we need to lead with evidence-based policies and upstream solutions. Commissioner Bermúdez and Deanna Logan are proven reformers who share my vision for the criminal justice system, and I look forward to working with them to ‘Get Stuff Done.’”

“Mayor Adams has put forward a bold agenda to make our city safer and more just, and he is assembling a stellar team to carry out that mission and deliver for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks. “Commissioner Bermúdez and Director Logan will be critical partners in that effort, building on their impressive records of using community-based solutions to reduce recidivism and help people leaving the justice system lead more productive, fulfilling lives. I look forward to working with both of them to fulfill the mayor’s vision, and congratulate them on their appointments.”

In her role as commissioner, Bermúdez will continue to lead the department and oversee the critical work of New York City probation officers, who are instrumental in providing resources and support to help people exit the justice system and thrive. Before becoming commissioner in 2014, she served as deputy commissioner for juvenile operations at DOP.

Bermúdez will also build on what is already working to further advance public safety and community justice, including DOP’s evidence-based credible messenger mentoring programs and DOP’s Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON), a unique and trusted resource that provides a range of services to people on probation and other community members in seven New York City communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the justice system for decades.

As director of MOCJ, Logan will work tirelessly to deliver on Mayor Adams’ vision of a city that invests in the entire ecosystem of public safety. Under her leadership, the city will look to expand the work and reach of the Crisis Management System, deploying more violence interrupter organizations to areas experiencing high rates of gun violence. MOCJ will also advance programs and policies aimed at reorienting the criminal justice system around a more holistic and rehabilitative model.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue working with the tremendously dedicated probation officers who serve this city — the agents of change of the justice system,” said DOP Commissioner Bermúdez. “Our idea of public safety is that the greatest power to shape someone’s future is found in the very communities in which they live, and neighbors, helping each other, become powerful allies of our officers in the important work of this department. I look forward to broadening and deepening this work alongside Mayor Adams and the rest of my public safety colleagues as we ensure that New York is safe for all those who live, work, play in, and visit our vibrant city.”

“I am humbled and excited at the honor to lead the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice during such a critical time,” said MOCJ Director Logan. “My career is dedicated to fighting for justice and accountability for everyone. I share deeply Mayor Adams’ urgency in confronting the public safety challenges we face as New Yorkers. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our justice system partners to find equitable, innovative, and resourceful solutions to keep all our communities safe.”

Mayor Adams also announced the city’s new commitment to connect every young person on probation aged 21 and under with a credible messenger mentor — someone with experience in the justice system who is committed to preventing others from following in their footsteps. This work will build on and expand DOP’s success with probation officers working in partnership with credible messenger mentors, which has had a transformative impact and significantly improved outcomes for young people on probation.

Further amplifying this important work, the Credible Messenger Justice Center — an interdisciplinary national training and research center co-founded by the Department of Probation under Bermúdez’s leadership — also released new research on transformative mentoring today. “ A Gathering Movement ” highlights the work of jurisdictions from across the country that have participated in DOP credible messenger program learning immersions in New York City and are actively building community-based mentoring programs as part of their own efforts to similarly prevent crime and further advance community justice.

“Congratulations to Commissioner Ana Bermúdez and Director Deanna Logan on their well-deserved appointments,” said New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey. “Commissioner Bermúdez and Deanna Logan are dedicated leaders with the knowledge and depth of experience necessary to lead in this crucial moment. Our city is facing unprecedented challenges that require holistic solutions to address the root causes of violence, historic investment in our communities, and pathways to opportunity for our young people. As we continue to build a fairer justice system for all New Yorkers, I look forward to working with the administration, Commissioner Bermúdez and Deanna Logan, the Department of Probation, and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to advance the restorative and rehabilitative goals of our justice system and make all our communities safer.”

“The mayor's decision to reappoint Ana Bermúdez is great news,” said New York State Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry. “Commissioner Bermúdez has excellent credentials and extraordinary experience justifying her reappointment. The Department of Probation has a critical role in reducing recidivism. The mayor’s appointment of Deanna Logan as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice adds to the efforts of the mayor’s commitment to reimagine and make New York City a safer and more just city.”

“I am pleased to see Mayor Adams appointed two New Yorkers equally committed to justice and public safety,” said New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs. “I serve as the first formerly incarcerated member of the New York State Legislature at a moment when people in every corner of my district tell me they do not feel safe, so I know how critical it is to aggressively address both needs simultaneously. I look forward to working with the mayor, Ana Bermúdez, and Deanna Logan to ensure justice and public safety are never again thought of as being in conflict.”

“With his latest appointments, Mayor Adams demonstrates once again his commitment to a safer, fairer city,” said New York State Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar. “Ana Bermúdez and Deanna Logan are eminently qualified leaders in law and criminal justice who will reduce crime with an approach that respects everyone’s civil liberties. As both a civil rights lawyer and Chair of the State Assembly’s Subcommittee on Diversity in Law, I applaud the mayor for selecting two women who mirror the diversity of our city. In Mayor Adams, we have someone who ‘Gets Stuff Done,’ and Bermúdez and Logan will do exactly that.”

“Congratulations to Ana Bermúdez on her reappointment as commissioner of the Department of Probation and Deanna Logan on her appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “At a time in which public safety is a number one concern for our residents, it is imperative that we have partners at City Hall that have the experience necessary to tackle these issues with a strong focus on equity, fairness, justice, and rehabilitation. I look forward to working collaboratively with the mayor, Commissioner Bermúdez, Director Logan, our credible messengers, and local leaders to identify the underlying issues in our communities that cause young adults to be justice involved and to find creative ways to empower and support our borough.”

“Queens is excited to continue its partnership with Department of Probation Commissioner Ana Bermúdez to justly and humanely support those exiting the criminal justice system by more efficiently connecting them with the resources they need to succeed,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “We also look forward to working with newly appointed Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan to greatly expand our life-saving Crisis Management System network, while further empowering our violence interrupters who save lives every single day in communities across Queens.”

“The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice is an essential partner for ensuring we take a smarter and fairer approach to keeping our communities safe,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Deanna Logan has a clear track record of public service, including as an Assistant District Attorney right here in Manhattan, and brings a deep understanding of how the justice system impacts the lives of New Yorkers. I look forward to close collaboration with her as we continue the work of enhancing public safety and strengthening our neighborhoods.”

“Mayor Adams has made an exemplary choice in Deanna Logan to lead the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “Deanna has been a valuable partner throughout her tenure at MOCJ as we’ve worked together to increase public safety and community trust. She understands that solving the problem of gun violence requires creative community-based responses in addition to traditional law enforcement actions. We have collaborated on many important issues, including working to reduce the jail population during the height of the COVID crisis and to ensure smooth operations when the courts transitioned to remote work. I know that she will be an excellent director of MOCJ and that her experience, energy, and commitment to justice will benefit all New Yorkers.”

“Deanna Logan brings experience from just about every facet of the city’s criminal justice system. She served as a prosecutor, as an assistant commissioner in the Department of Correction, and as the chief of my first-of-its-kind Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “She was instrumental in bringing criminal cases to hold violent inmates accountable and advising the DOC on investigations and on security such as scanners to make the jail safer for all who work, visit, or were confined there. She will make an excellent coordinator of the courts, the police, the DAs’ offices, the correction system, and the Department of Probation so we may improve public safety in our great city.”

“My office shares a close partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, working closely together on many key initiatives to enhance public safety and create a fairer criminal justice system. I have come to know Deanna Logan well over the years and can attest that she is a true public servant, a trusted and respected partner whose leadership has been steadfast and remarkable throughout her career,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon. “I look forward to continuing our important work together as she assumes the role of director of MOCJ, and I am confident that together, our offices will pursue new actions and impactful initiatives to better protect and serve the people of Staten Island and our entire city.”

“As the chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, I would like to congratulate Deanna Logan on her appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said New York City Councilmember Kamillah M. Hanks, chair, Committee on Public Safety. “I look forward to working with her to accomplish the goal of a safer and more just New York. The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice will be a key partner in that effort. I am sure her vast experience will serve our city well.”

“Investing in services to prevent the devastating and generational impacts of incarceration are essential in making our communities safer and disrupting cycles of poverty and violence,” said New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, chair, Committee on Criminal Justice. “I look forward to working with experienced and dedicated women — Ana Bermúdez at DOP and Deanna Logan at MOCJ — on continuing to expand alternatives to incarceration and advancing community-led justice in our city.”

“I applaud Mayor Adams’ latest appointments of Ana Bermúdez and Deanna Logan,” said New York City Councilmember Robert Holden. “I have worked well with Commissioner Bermúdez in the past, and I look forward to working with both well qualified commissioners to comprehensively improve public safety and reduce recidivism.”

“I’m excited that both these women will be serving at the capacity of Department of Probation and director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said New York City Councilmember Althea Stevens. “As the city works together to implement equality in different facets, community justice for everyone is vital in these efforts. Too many communities have been negatively affected by the injustice and disservice of the criminal system, and it is our responsibility to reorient it to support our community and preempt issues within our communities.”

“As the former commissioner of the Mayor’s Office Media and Entertainment, I worked with Ana Bermúdez on the ‘Made in NY Animation Project’ that offered over 1,800 young New Yorkers the opportunity to gain technical skills and paid internships,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin. “I trust that in her reappointment, Bermúdez will continue to lead and aid underserved New Yorkers and help the communities by focusing on racial equity. I also congratulate Deanna Logan for being appointed as the new director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Public safety is an absolute priority, and I look forward to initiatives that will improve upon cutting violence in our city.”

“Deanna Logan has a proven record of coordinating all of the stakeholders in the city’s criminal justice system in implementing programs of importance to all New Yorkers,” said New York State Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks. “We look forward to continuing to work with Ms. Logan and Mayor Adams on initiatives that promote public safety and access to justice.”

“I applaud Mayor Adams' excellent choice of Deanna Logan to head the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice,” said Marcos F. Soler, deputy secretary for public safety, Governor Kathy Hochul. “Deanna is an outstanding public servant. I’ve worked closely with Deanna for years, and there’s no one more prepared to lead the innovative programs and initiatives for which MOCJ is well known. I look forward to building on the positive relationship between the state and the city, as we cooperatively pursue ways to bring safety and justice to all our communities.”

“Mayor Adams has made an excellent choice in naming Deanna Logan to head the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. “Ms. Logan is a thoughtful and responsive problem solver, well versed in every aspect of the criminal justice system, and deeply committed to fair and equitable treatment for all. She has provided invaluable assistance as we have faced daunting challenges during the past two years, and I look forward to continuing our partnership.”

“We welcome Deanna Logan’s appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, an office critical to formulating policies that prioritize violence prevention and intervention, proven approaches that truly serve our clients and public safety in New York City, over the wrongheaded reliance on law enforcement as a cure-all solution to a myriad of society’s issues,” said Tina Luongo, attorney-in-charge of the criminal defense practice, The Legal Aid Society. “We hope that Deanna builds on the efforts of her predecessors to further this shared goal and that Mayor Eric Adams invests more resources in MOCJ to support Deana’s efforts to bring fairness and justice to our criminal legal system.”

“Congratulations to Deanna Logan on her appointment to lead the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Stan A. Germán, executive director, New York County Defender Services. “I have known Deanna since we were classmates at NYU School of Law and have had the distinct pleasure of watching her impressive career unfold ever since. She has always been a thoughtful, responsive, kind, and committed person. During her tenure at MOCJ as director of crime strategies and acting general counsel, she has demonstrated her commitment to reforming and improving our criminal legal system to make it an equitable institution for everyone. NYCDS looks forward to working with Deanna.”

“The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice plays a critical role in many ways, ensuring New Yorkers have access to an effective attorney at no cost and providing the resources people need to get a positive outcome in their case,” said Lisa Schreibersdorf, executive director, Brooklyn Defenders Services. “From programs as wide ranging as supervised release to services for youth and people with mental illness, MOCJ not only provides the resources to help impacted people succeed, but also helps set policy with the courts, prosecutors, and other agencies. Deanna Logan has already shown leadership in her work with MOCJ, and we very much look forward to working together with her and other staff at MOCJ.”

“We congratulate Deanna Logan on this well-deserved appointment,” said Alice Fontier, managing director, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. “For years, she has demonstrated her commitment to justice and recognized the importance of fairness in the legal system. We look forward to continuing our work alongside her.”

“It’s a critical time in New York City to transform our legal system that has long targeted low-income Black and brown Bronx residents,” said Justine Olderman, executive director, The Bronx Defenders. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Deanna Logan in her new role and will seek her support in uprooting systemic discrimination in and outside of the courtroom, redressing the ongoing human rights crisis at Rikers, and building a vision for public safety that centers the voices of people affected by the legal system.”

“On behalf of the board, staff, and especially the clients we serve, Queens Defenders congratulates Deanna Logan on her new appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Lori Zeno, executive director, Queens Defenders, and Hettie Powell, managing director, Queens Defenders. “We have no doubt that Ms. Logan’s tenure in this new role will elevate the work of every public defender organization in the city and benefit the tens of thousands of New Yorkers they represent every year. Over the last several months, Ms. Logan has been a thoughtful and diligent partner and a creative problem solver. These skills will serve her well in this new role, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her and MOCJ in the years to come.”

“Exodus celebrates the mayor’s selection of Deanna Logan as the new director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Julio Medina, founder and CEO, Exodus Transitional Community. “Deanna brings to this role vast and diverse professional experience engaging a practical and realistic approach to problem solving. Deanna’s in-depth knowledge of criminal justice, coupled with her ability to collaborate with stakeholders, will undoubtedly strengthen our city while simultaneously reducing our city's confinement footprint.”

“CJA is thrilled to learn about Deanna Logan’s appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said Aubrey Fox, executive director, New York City Criminal Justice Agency. “As New York City’s main pretrial services agency working under contract with MOCJ, CJA is very fortunate to have Deanna and her office’s leadership as we work together to address critical priorities. Deanna’s extensive prosecutorial and legal experience makes her an excellent fit for the position, and I look forward to working closely with her in the years ahead.”

“CASES congratulates Deanna Logan on being appointed the director of MOCJ,” said Joel Copperman, CEO and president, CASES. “We have known Director Logan to be a passionate advocate for key initiatives developed and implemented by MOCJ to strengthen fairness and equity within New York City’s criminal legal system. She brings extensive experience to this critical role in the life of our city, and CASES welcomes the opportunity to work closely with Director Logan and the MOCJ team to implement alternatives to jail and prison that improve community safety for all New Yorkers.”

“Osborne has had a long and productive relationship with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and enjoys their support of our alternatives to incarceration, including employment and treatment services, shortening detention time, and providing discharge planning and connection to community services for people leaving jail and prison,” said Elizabeth Gaynes, president and CEO, Osborne Association. “MOCJ has been an important partner in our work connecting children with their incarcerated parents via in-person and video visits, strengthening the visiting experience for all families, and supporting the CARE Task Force in developing recommendations for reentering older adults. We congratulate Deanna Logan on her appointment as director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Her experience with the Bronx District Attorney’s office as well as the Department of Correction gives her a granular knowledge of the challenges on Rikers Island and in the community. We look forward to working with her and her team to build on the current successes and address existing and emerging challenges as the city moves to close Rikers Island and build more restorative and effective modes of justice.”

“We applaud Mayor Adams for the appointment of Deanna Logan to lead a complex agency at the center of criminal justice reform and public safety,” said Stanley Richards, deputy CEO, The Fortune Society. “She is the right leader at the right time for New York City, a longtime public servant and a person of integrity, commitment, and perseverance. The Fortune Society looks forward to a continuing partnership with MOCJ to create pathways for people to be diverted from incarceration, to rebuild their lives after incarceration, and to foster connections with communities most impacted by incarceration.”

“On behalf of Justice for Families, a national alliance of families impacted by the legal system located in the heart of the Bronx, I want to congratulate Commissioner Ana Bermúdez on being appointed by Mayor Eric Adams,” said Jeannette Bocanegra Simon, executive director, Justice For Families. “Ana will continue the critical work of ensuring that families are respected partners of the city's criminal justice system. I have witnessed and have collaborated with Commissioner Ana Bermúdez as she implemented programs that increased family engagement with probation and improved outcomes for our young people. There is still much work to be done, but with Ana at the helm, I believe we can continue making significant progress towards a probation system that achieves our common goal: supporting and strengthening the people of New York City.”

“Every so often, a bright and courageous leader emerges from among the masses that offers hope and transformative change,” said Dr. Divine Pryor, executive director, Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions. “In these rare moments in history, we should not hesitate to capture their strength and imagination and recruit them into the ranks. The reappointment of Ana Bermúdez is an affirmation of such, because her career has prepared her for a time such as this. Job well done.”

“The Transformative Mentoring Division at Children's Village was established with the belief that growth must be and always has been supported by the community,” said Hassan ElGendi, program coordinator, E.C.H.O.E.S Be Ready; and community co-chair, Harlem NeON. “We have been committed partners with the Harlem and the Bronx NeONs, helping young people from all different backgrounds explore their interests with local professionals and business owners, express their thoughts and opinions with local politicians, and simply have fun with the many sports activities and arts programs we are able to provide access to thanks to the tireless support and leadership of champions such as Commissioner Bermúdez and Director Prioleau. It has been an honor and a privilege to do this work; I hope the NeONs will be able to continue to be a vibrant resource in our communities for many years to come.”
“The NeONs provide opportunities to DOP clients and community residents to gain some transferable skills and explore their creative sides, which they can use to gain employment and to artistically express themselves about issues that affect their lives, their communities, and the world,” said Serena Chandler, stakeholder, Harlem NeON. “This is a good thing.”
“Being on probation made me realize that I had to get myself together, and I am so proud of how far I have come,” said Lyndon Sylvester, community outreach specialist, the Animation Project. “My biggest motivator was my Arches mentor, Mr. Jenkins, along with my probation officer, who always notified me about programs I might be interested in. After successfully completing Arches — a big accomplishment for me — I attended a NeON stakeholder group meeting and had a meeting and interview with the Animation Project, the organization I have been working for over the past five years! Along with my hard work, I am so grateful for everyone and everything that has gotten me to where I am now: in a dream job that I love helping other young people ‘tap’ into their true potential.”

“Deanna Logan is an accomplished criminal justice leader who has invested her career in solving problems and creating a safer New York City,” said Courtney Bryan, executive director, Center for Court Innovation. “The Center for Court Innovation is excited to work closely with her and build on our long-standing partnership with MOCJ to ensure New York remains a leader in reducing unnecessary incarceration, strengthening neighborhood safety, and ensuring everyone has a voice in the delivery of justice.”

About Ana M. Bermúdez, Esq.
Ana M. Bermúdez is the New York City Department of Probation’s first openly LGBTQ+, first Latina, and second woman to serve as commissioner. Commissioner Bermúdez began her professional career representing children in family court cases at the Legal Aid Society. For 30 years, she has been a tireless advocate for teenagers and young adults involved in the justice system through the development of strengths-based interventions, the application of restorative and youth development practices, and the designing of programs that ensure readiness for a successful future.

Under Commissioner Bermúdez’s leadership, the Department of Probation has been at the forefront of innovations in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, working together with the communities that most people on probation call home through the NeONs, and establishing impactful and novel public-private ventures, such as the award-winning NeON Arts and the NeON Nutrition Kitchens. Through the latter initiative, DOP’s NeON Nutrition kitchens have provided food for more than 500,000 New Yorkers.

Prior to her appointment as commissioner in March 2014, she served as DOP’s deputy commissioner for juvenile operations for four years, during which she led reform initiatives to infuse greater racial equity and evidence-based practices into the juvenile justice system.

Before joining DOP in 2010, she was the director of juvenile justice programs at the Children’s Aid Society and Case Management at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services’ (CASES) Court Employment Project, an alternative-to-incarceration program for adolescent convicted of felonies. At CASES, Bermúdez held progressively responsible positions: director of training and technical assistance; co-director of Community Prep High School, a transitional school for court-involved students; and deputy director for court services and case management.

Bermúdez is a graduate of Brown University and Yale Law School.

Bermúdez will report to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks.

About Deanna Logan, Esq.
Deanna Logan, Esq. serves as director of MOCJ. She previously served as acting director.

Deanna Logan joined MOCJ in July 2019, most recently serving as general counsel and deputy director of crime strategies. Prior to that, she spent three years at the Office of the Bronx District Attorney as a bureau chief. She worked with DA Darcel Clark to design, establish, and supervise the Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau. Prior to her work in the Bronx, Logan served as assistant commissioner at DOC, where she worked to reform and strengthen internal discipline. The first eight years of Logan’s career were spent in public service as an assistant district attorney in the Office of the New York County District Attorney. There, she investigated and prosecuted felony cases involving narcotics violations, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and child abuse. After leaving the Office of the New York County District Attorney, she joined The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as a litigator addressing misconduct issues. She eventually became the managing director of rule development at NYSE, responsible for enforcing the rules that govern the markets and impact the industry while representing NYSE before the Securities and Exchange Commission. After NYSE, she spent a short time at Barclays Capital Market Makers, working as the director of compliance on the trading floor. Logan returned to public service when she joined DOC.

Logan holds a B.A. in political science from Boston University and earned her J.D. at New York University School of Law.

Logan will report to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks.

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