Homer Venters

Dr. Homer Venters is a physician and a nationally recognized expert in health and justice, who focuses on the health of people in prisons and jails. He currently serves as the Senior Health and Justice Fellow for Community-Oriented Correctional Health Services (COCHS). In this role, he works to improve healthcare within the correctional system, with a special focus on critical issues like implementing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction, documenting injuries and deaths, and reducing traumatic brain injuries. Homer supports the collaboration of health systems and the justice system to improve outcomes. He is the author of the widely praised book, Life and Death in Rikers Island, which draws on his experience as the former Chief Medical Officer of the New York City jail system. In addition to his practical work, Homer is a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University, College of Global Public Health. He has published numerous scientific articles on health and justice, and the breadth of his research has influenced discussions in Congress. His career is dedicated to ensuring that incarcerated individuals receive humane and effective medical care.