Spotlighting Andrea Goupalsingh: Reflections on CAS at 40

Andrea Goupalsingh joined the Osborne Association 31 years ago, starting her journey during the “tough-on-crime” era of the 1990s when New York’s prison population was rapidly expanding. Driven by a dedication to dismantling mass incarceration, Andrea pursued a Master’s in Social Work at Hunter College’s Silberman School, training as a social worker to champion the cause of the community’s most vulnerable.

Today, as the Vice President of Court Services and Decarceration, Andrea directs a set of programs that provide alternatives to incarceration at various stages of the legal process. Under her leadership, the department implements crucial interventions, including the 40-year-old defense-based advocacy work. Here, mitigation specialists collaborate closely with defense attorneys to humanize clients for the court, promoting fair and equitable treatment.

The department also runs a vital bail advocacy initiative focused on women and gender-expansive individuals detained at the Rose M. Singer Center. By presenting new information often unavailable at arraignment, this work prompts the court to reassess bail and facilitate safe release. Additionally, the unit provides parole advocacy, with staff conducting rapid assessments and program placements at the request of attorneys to support individuals facing parole violations. Other services range from brief interventions for minor charges in Manhattan and Brooklyn to the pre-arraignment diversion program in the Bronx’s 40th precinct, offering stabilizing services as an alternative to detention. The direct service curricula in the Bronx emphasize accountability, support, and transformation for those facing IPV-related charges.

Andrea attributes the success of these programs to her team. “I support a team of experts—compassionate, dedicated professionals who are the true engine of this work,” she says. This staff consists of tireless advocates who navigate complex legal systems with grace and tenacity. Their profound expertise in mitigation and unwavering empathy for clients set the gold standard for court advocacy.

Whether offering oral advocacy in a courtroom, connecting with a client during what may be the worst time of their life, or linking them to essential housing, mental health support, and substance use treatment, this team embodies Osborne’s mission daily.

“Regardless of the evolving landscape of criminal justice, Osborne remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and opportunity for all,” Andrea affirms. “I am proud to ‘hustle for justice’ in the right arena, with the right people—my incredible colleagues and our resilient clients—who continue to inspire and motivate me.”

As we celebrate the 40th year of these vital services, we also recognize Andrea’s three decades of commitment to creating a system that is fairer, more humane, and fundamentally rooted in the belief that transformation is always possible.