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Portugal, drugs and decriminalisation

Kathleen Hawkins Hannah McNeish

June 18, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Portugal

In 2001, facing a 20-year opioid epidemic, Portugal decriminalized all personal drug use, meaning people carrying drugs for personal use could no longer face prosecution or jail. The approach, met with public support, offered people access to services like safe injection sites and counseling and showed demonstrable success in declining opioid related deaths, the spread of infectious diseases, and drug use all together. As the rest of the world faces a similar crisis, Portugal could be a model response.

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A Program Gives Jobs To Those Most At Risk For Violence; Can Chicago Afford It?

Patrick Smith

June 06, 2019 |

WBEZ |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

An anti-violence program in Chicago called the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, or READI, identifies and engages with those most vulnerable to partake or be a victim of gun violence, and provides them with the support they need to avoid it. Born out of a collaboration between the University of Chicago’s Crime and Education Lab and various philanthropical efforts, READI gives participants job counseling and therapy to cope with current and past traumas. While it’s seen demonstrable success, it hopes to expand with the financial support from the city.

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Gun violence has sharply declined in California's Bay Area. What happened?

Lois Beckett Darwin BondGraham Peter Andringa Abene Clayton

June 04, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

California’s Bay Area has seen a 30% decrease in gun homicides, despite increasing economic inequality. The region has had many interventions to reach this decline, but the key to all of them is their community-driven nature. From collaborations between law enforcement and social services, to community mentorship programs, to investing in gun violence as a public health issue, each initiative is founded on neighborhood and individual empowerment instead of policing and incarceration.

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California: Epicenter of Mass Incarceration Reform

Abbie Vansickle Manny Faces

June 04, 2019 |

News Beat |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

Following a Supreme Court mandate requiring California to address prison overcrowding, the state has taken numerous initiatives to reduce sentences, relocate inmates, set higher accountability measures for law enforcement, and allocate more funding for re-entry programs. While these measures have been implemented across the state, the city of Stockton has been a leader after electing the nation’s youngest – and Stockton’s first African American – mayor, Michael Tubbs. Since then, the city has adopted reforms such as universal basic income and mentorship programs and has witnessed a 40% drop in homicides.

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The latest YouTube craze? Videos that show you what it's like to live in prison.

Peter Holley

June 03, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chesapeake, Virginia

As former inmates face the immense challenge of finding employment post-incarceration, some have turned to YouTube as a way of turning their stories into financial security. With just a handful of prison channels garnering upwards of 2.1 million subscribers, the successful videos give viewers a range of information, including advice on how to survive prison and what their lives have been like after release. Underpinning all of these videos is the desire to have a voice, help others as they try to reintegrate, and humanize the criminal justice system.

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A path to success

Angela K. Evans

May 30, 2019 |

Boulder Weekly |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

In Colorado, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing have partnered to help former incarcerated individuals obtain Medicaid upon re-entry. The partnership allows for data sharing between the two departments to make sure people are leaving correctional facilities with health care in hand, and trains parole officers to help them enroll and use the benefits.

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San Quentin Cooking Class Serves Up Chance for Better Future After Release

Mary Franklin Harvin

May 29, 2019 |

KQED |

Radio |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Quentin, California

Quentin Cooks, a culinary program embedded within the San Quentin State Prison, is giving inmates necessary training and support to avoid recidivism and build a career in the food industry. The program teaches culinary skills to help participants – most of whom have just 1-2 years left on their sentence – earn the ServSafe Food Handler certificate. Organizers also do industry outreach to help arrange interviews and promote participants, giving them a leg up on employment after they’re released.

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How a new district attorney is shaking up the justice system in midcoast Maine

Beth Brogan

May 28, 2019 |

Bangor Daily News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Knox, Maine

The newly-elected district attorney in Maine, Natasha Irving, has started implementing restorative justice practices into the area’s criminal justice system. The use of restorative justice in this case includes offering mental health and substance abuse treatment, amongst other supportive services, and using prison as a last resort. There has been some pushback from law enforcement, but a willingness to try the new approach aimed at reducing recidivism in the region.

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Washington University graduates its first class of students in prison

Blythe Bernhard

May 22, 2019 |

St. Louis Post-Dispatch |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Pacific, Missouri

At the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, 10 individuals graduated from college with Associate Degrees as part of the Washington University Prison Education Project. Each student is required to have a high school diploma in order to apply, and must complete 60 credits to earn their degree. Beyond the provided education, the program has given incarcerated participants a sense of hope for their future.

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Sustainability Behind Bars: Washington Inmates Are Connecting with Nature

Jake Bullinger

May 22, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Olympia, Washington

The Sustainability in Prisons Project has brought environmental lectures, work, and support to thousands of inmates since 2003. It offers a unique type of prison work - wildlife preservation, such as taking care of endangered butterflies. It has also started composting and educational programs, in addition to the therapeutic effects of greenery on prisoners and assistance in reentry.

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