Justice 101: From Punishment to Penance: The British Roots of American Justice
Saturday, November 07, 2026
3:30 - 4:15pm EST
Examine the guiding principles of the United States justice system and their evolution—from British colonial roots to the bold experiment of America’s first penitentiary and into the present day. Consider how and why the young nation’s founders rejected public punishment and crowded holding rooms in favor of penance and solitary cells. Reflect on what the revolutionary history of Eastern State Penitentiary continues to teach leaders in the field about the complex interplay between civil liberties, criminal justice, and public safety.
The conversation will be led by a panel of British-American Project Fellows with expertise in public safety and corrections visiting Philadelphia for the group’s 2026 Annual Conference, which is themed “Revolution.” Welcoming remarks by Pauline Abernathy (Founding Executive Director, Harvard Impact Labs). Moderated by Kerry Sautner, Ed.D (President and CEO, Eastern State). Speakers include Rob Beckley QPM (High Sheriff of Somerset, 2024-2025) and Jon Murad (Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections).
The British-American Project is a transatlantic fellowship of over 1,700 leaders, rising stars, and opinion formers from a broad spectrum of occupations, backgrounds and political views. For more information, visit https://britishamericanproject.org/.
About the Panelists:
Pauline Abernathy
Founding Executive Director, Harvard Impact Labs
Pauline Abernathy is the founding Executive Director of Harvard Impact Labs and brings deep experience bridging scholarship, policy, and practice from senior roles in nonprofits, philanthropy, and government. She previously held key roles at The Institute for College Access & Success, Benefits Data Trust, The Pew Charitable Trusts, City of Philadelphia, U.S. Department of Education, and the White House. Pauline has a Master in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. summa cum laude from Yale University.
Rob Beckley QPM
High Sheriff of Somerset, 2024-2025
Rob Beckley became High Sheriff of Somerset—a region of South West England—in March 2024 on retirement from the police. He had a distinguished 38-year policing career, working in operational and investigative roles at all ranks from PC to Chief Constable. A graduate in Law from University College Durham, Rob joined the police after having spent almost four years working in education and development in Africa.
His police career took him from inner city London to Avon and Somerset Constabulary, then to the College of Policing, with his most recent police appointment being Advisor to the Home Secretary and leading criminal and disciplinary investigations into the Hillsborough disaster. He actively supports and is a trustee of a number of charities, some local to Somerset as well as international charities such as the Bishop Tutu Foundation and Project Trust. Rob’s theme while High Sheriff was to encourage greater participation in volunteering and community organizations. In his career, he led work across all police forces designed to increase volunteering in policing.
Jon Murad
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections
Jon Murad has served in law enforcement for twenty years, holding a variety of police roles in the New York City Police Department, retiring as an assistant commissioner, and then serving as the chief of police in Burlington before becoming Commissioner. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a master’s in public administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
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This program is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Philadelphia City Fund’s 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program series, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This program is part of Justice 101, a discussion series that dives into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.
