Learning Center
Joseph Alli, MA, CHES, CASAC2, CRPA Associate Director, CASES NEWSTART
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: Health education, health disparities, substance use, trauma, incarceration, post-incarceration, the peer movement
About: Mr. Joseph Alli earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Bard Prison Initiative in 2014. In 2019, he earned his bachelor's degree with a concentration in Public Health and Psychological Well-Being from the CUNY BA program for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. He later graduated in 2020 with a master's degree in health education and promotion from Lehman College. View Profile
Virginia Barber Rioja, Ph.D Senior Clinical Policy Advisor/Consultant, Center for Justice Innovation
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: Correctional Mental Health, Psychological Assessment, Violence Risk Assessment, Mental Health Diversion, Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court, Cultural Competency.
About: Virginia Barber-Rioja obtained her Ph.D. in clinical forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. For eight years, she worked in the NYC jail system holding the positions of Co-Chief and Clinical Director of Mental Health for Correctional Health Services/NYC Health + Hospitals.
Tonie Dreher Women's Specialist, Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES)
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
About: Tonie Dreher currently serves as a Women's Specialist with CASES, where she has worked for the last 7 years. Tonie holds credentials as a Certified Peer Specialist, is a Recovery Coach, holds a CASAC-T certification, and is currently working towards a full CASAC certification. View Profile
John Gallagher Retired Deputy Warden, NYCDOC
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: As a 32 year Deputy Warden with NYCDOC, John supervised and help establish specialized mental health units as well as assisted with the training of the uniform staff working these units. Retired in 2021.
About: John Gallagher, former Deputy Warden in Command, Population/Custody Management, New York City Department of Correction (DOC), was assigned to Rikers Island as a Rookie Correction Officer in 1989. Thirty years later, he is credited with transforming the Department's approach to treating inmates with mental illnesses. View Profile
Toni Mardirossian, Deputy Division Chief, Pathways to Public Safety Division at the New York County District Attorney's Office
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: Criminal prosecutor who has worked in problem-solving courts and mental health courts for over a decade
About: Toni Mardirossian, JD, currently serves as the Deputy Division Chief of the Pathways to Public Safety Division at the New York County District Attorney's Office. In this role, she oversees day to day operations in the Division which screens, refers, and monitors hundreds of participants each year in Manhattan's felony problem-solving courts including the Felony Alternatives to Incarceration Part, Felony Drug Court, Manhattan Mental Health Court, and Veterans Treatment Court. View Profile
Rosemary Vassallo Mental Health Attorney, Manhattan Office of The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice
Areas of Expertise/Speaking Topics: Criminal Defense and Mental Health Law
About: Rosemary Vassallo is the Mental Health Attorney for the Manhattan office of The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice since October 2017. She provides legal expertise to clients with mental health issues and assists other attorneys to formulate appropriate dispositions or trial strategies. View Profile
