11 Aug Justice Reformers Split on Effects of Police Budget
Even among progressives, the debate over police department budgets shows gaps in approaches to local and federal police reform.
Author: Ronnie K. Stephens
21 Jul COVID-19 in Prisons Seriously Affects Surrounding Communities
Scientists have made note of how COVID-19 in prisons affects local communities and exacerbates the pandemic for all Americans. Now, with the Delta variant causing renewed alarm, it is important to understand how infection inside prisons could fuel outbreaks around the country.
20 Jul Crime is Down in the United States, but Recent Data Suggests Change
Historical data supports the assertion that crime is down; however, preliminary analysis from 2020 suggests that the crime decline may stall, or end altogether.
19 Jul Explainer: What United States Crime Rates Can and Can’t Tell Us
Before unpacking any new discussion of crime rates in America, it’s helpful to know the methodology used to identify crime rates in the report and how that data compares with previous reports.
30 Jun Technical Violation Sends 74-Year-Old Gwen Levi Back to Prison
As COVID-19 infection rates slow throughout the United States, 74-year-old Gwen Levi is back behind bars, one more example of how technical parole violations drive mass incarceration in America.
13 Jun Excluding People With Criminal Records from Serving on Juries
The danger of racially homogenous juries is well-documented, but laws that exclude people with criminal records from serving on a jury whitewash juries by default.
09 Jun Pride and the History of Police Violence Against LGBTQ Communities
Pride may have its origins in an event that transpired more than 50 years ago, but community members continue to experience brutality and discrimination from police departments.
03 Jun Explainer: People with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System
Incarceration rates for people with disabilities far exceed incarceration rates for the general public. This is especially true for those with cognitive disabilities, and disproportionately affects people of color with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are also more vulnerable to police violence, and to sexual assault
28 May Trauma and Abuse of Incarcerated Juveniles in American Prisons
According to the Children’s Defense Fund, the American justice system arrests and detains almost 2,000 people under the age of 18 every single day. In 2018, more than 700,000 children were arrested. On any given night, facilities house over 40,000 children and about 1,000 are
25 May George Floyd and Criminal Justice Reform: One Year Later
On May 25, 2020 former officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. Video of the incident sparked nationwide protests and public demand for justice reform. One year later, Floyd’s name has become synonymous with criminal justice reform, from new laws that ban chokeholds to omnibus bills