Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark says she has witnessed how the criminal justice system has evolved to include a role for alternatives to incarceration.

“In the past, the way we thought public safety was done was nail ’em and jail ’em. We locked everybody up,” she told NY1 recently at The Hub in the South Bronx. “And not everybody deserves jail or prison. Sometimes, their circumstances bring them into the criminal justice system. And what we need to do is get to the root cause of why they were there.”

In this month’s Democratic primary, Clark faces a challenge from criminal defense attorney Tess Cohen.

Cohen told NY1 that she would address the root cause of crime in part by making treatment the default over prison time.

Cohen said her candidacy sheds light for Bronx residents on what’s happening in Clark’s office.

“They aren’t aware of the fact here that we don’t get the same resources that the other DA’s offices are bringing to their boroughs,” Cohen said, a reference to courts that could prevent defendants from ending up in jail. “They aren’t aware of our low conviction rates for serious crimes.”

Cohen is the first candidate to challenge Clark during her time as district attorney.

But Clark has a distinct edge. Recent state campaign finance filings show Clark has nearly 11 times more cash on hand than Cohen. The incumbent’s key endorsements include state Attorney Letitia James, Sen. Chuck Schumer and labor groups like District Council 37 and 32BJ SEIU.

Clark’s office has been beset by prosecutor resignations, which she links to the state’s onerous discovery reform law, a policy she and other district attorneys want amended.

“Look, I was a judge. I never want to go back to the way we had it before. I’m never going to ask for that, but I’m going to ask for a little bit of balance,” Clark said. “Right now, the DA has to turn over all the evidence if somebody’s incarcerated within 20 days. There’s no way I can get DNA and all the body-worn cameras and everything else within 20 days.”

Cohen noted Clark’s staff attrition was high even before the law was implemented in 2020.

Among Cohen’s priorities is opening a grand jury investigation into the conditions at the Rikers Island jail complex.

“I can announce the deaths. I can release the information. I can make sure that the public’s informed,” the former narcotics prosecutor said.

Clark, in running for her third term, insisted that she knows the people of the Bronx best because she’s always been one of them.

“I grew up here. I came from out of these streets,” she said. “But not just came out of it  I’m still here.”

The primary is a state race and ranked-choice voting will not be used.