Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • Reform Activists and a New DA Find Common Ground

    September 09, 2018 |

    70 Million |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

    In Texas' Harris County, the state's most populous county, a grassroots collective of criminal justice activists contributed to a political shift that led to reforms in prosecutions, jails, bail, and policing. Inspired by the movement sparked by the death of Michael Brown in Missouri in 2014, groups such as Houston Justice and the Texas Organizing Project backed the election of a reform-minded district attorney, who turned toward community collaboration and away from tough-on-crime solutions. The new DA, plus favorable court rulings and state laws, softened the country's rough-justice reputation.

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  • As a teen he killed a man. A new law has given him a second chance.

    September 06, 2018 |

    The Washington Post |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

    The Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act was passed is a D.C. law that allows people who commited a crime before the age of 18 to have their sentences reduced if they’ve served at least 20 years in prison. The law was built on the idea that youth, whose brains haven’t even fully developed yet, should not receive adult sentences. ““This isn’t about giving people a slap on the wrist,” he said. “It’s about giving people consequences that are age-appropriate.”

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  • Jolted

    September 05, 2018 |

    Vermont Public Radio |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Fair Haven, Vermont

    When it’s discovered that someone is planning a mass shooting, what are the possible responses? Can those individuals be prosecuted? How do states balance personal liberty and public safety? These are all questions that residents of Fair Haven, Vermont had to grapple with when plans of a school shooting were found. From better threat assessments, to gun control legislation, to considering teen’s experiences in today’s world, the issues and corresponding responses prove challenging reconcile.

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  • Youth Need Community-Based Treatment, Not Jails

    September 05, 2018 |

    The Crime Report |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States

    The number of youth confined in U.S. detention facilities has dropped by nearly half since 1997, saving money and reducing recidivism. A report by the Justice Policy Institute says this has made communities safer, but that reductions are only among those accused of nonviolent crimes and that racial and ethnic disparities have increased. The report calls for changes, such as repealing state laws on mandatory sentences, offering better probation supervision and creating more diversion options.

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  • Can New Zealand Provide the U.S. With a Model for Juvenile Justice Reform?

    September 04, 2018 |

    Pacific Standard |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: New Zealand

    New Zealand introduced restorative justice practices for juveniles in their criminal justice system after incredibly high rates of child incarceration and an over-representation of minorities. The practice, in places since the late 80's, includes youth justice councils and limits police arrests. The "overall number of youth arrested, charged, and incarcerated" has fallen, but there is still disproportionate representation of minority groups in the system.

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  • Veterans Courts Give Soldiers a Way Back

    September 02, 2018 |

    70 Million |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    When military veterans get charged with crimes, more than 350 courts nationwide exist to try to keep them out of jail, with rehabilitation as the chief goal. Boston Veterans Court provides people with social workers, outreach specialists, access to therapy, and help in going to school, finding a job, and dealing with life's stresses. Many people in this system come home from war struggling with anger, trauma, and substance abuse problems. Some studies have quantified veterans courts' success rates for helping people overcoming mental illness and staying out of criminal trouble.

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  • How can government get top talent? Canada's Free Agents work where they want

    August 29, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Canada

    Canada allows its most innovative public servants move between departments to work on projects that match their skills and interests. The program helps employees advance their skills and spreads their creativity and expertise throughout government.

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  • New Jersey Bails Out

    August 29, 2018 |

    NPR |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, New Jersey

    Although California has become the first state to eliminate the cash bail system, New Jersey has been using an algorithm for the last 18 months to combat the economic injustice created by the system. This bail reform, which looks at risk assessment on a scaled level, has successfully resulted to less people in prison as well as decreased crime rates.

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  • Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

    August 29, 2018 |

    WhoWhatWhy |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

    A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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  • Locals Divided Between Diversion and Border Security

    August 26, 2018 |

    70 Million |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

    Pima County, Arizona, eased its jail overcrowding with reforms that reduced the jail population by 400 people. Its Community Collaborative put key players from the criminal justice system, plus formerly incarcerated people, on a team that created programs to divert cases from incarceration to treatment, screen people to detain fewer people before trial, and a new court to reduce the problems working people had in making court dates. A new jail was no longer needed. But a federal border program that gave the county incentives to make needless arrests undercut some of those reforms.

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