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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 while in prison.
02 Jun Tennessee Justice Reform Bills Give Major Discretion to Judges, Boards
On May 24, Tennessee governor Bill Lee signed two new justice reform bills into law. Both bills provide mechanisms to reduce jail and prison populations and recidivism. But whether or not these laws actually achieve these reductions is still largely up to the state's judges and parole and probation boards.
13 May North Carolina Lawmakers Consider Raising Juvenile Court Age
North Carolina holds the distinction as the only state in the US where a child as young as six can be petitioned to juvenile court for alleged criminal activity and face the possibility of being labeled juvenile delinquent. However, this North Carolina juvenile law is likely to change soon.
08 May An Iowa Executive Order Has Restored Voting Rights to Thousands
On August 5, 2020, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed an executive order that restored voting rights to tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated persons. Executive Order 7 states that “No one is kept safe by withholding the right to vote from an individual that has completed their sentence.”
07 May Mental Illness, Media and Crime: A Complicated Relationship
Mental illness is prevalent throughout the US prison system. Yet, despite popular perceptions, there is no statistical correlation between mental illness and criminal activity.
06 May Police In Newark Didn’t Fire a Single Shot in 2020 — Here’s How
Officers in Newark didn't fire a single shot in all of 2020. This marks a distinct turn for a city that, just a decade ago, faced a DOJ investigation for its heavy-handed policing tactics.
03 May Alternatives to Traffic Stops Could Help Save Lives
Video surfaced of police officers harassing and assaulting Army Lt. Caron Nazario during a traffic stop. Some argue that citizens are safe if they comply during traffic stops. Others note how frequently traffic stops lead to violent interactions with police.
27 Apr Biden Administration Looks to Shorten Family Detention, Not End It
President Biden called for an end to family detention centers on the campaign trail. He's taking the first step to make that happen.