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

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 414 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • They threw this mom in jail over a probation violation. These activists bailed her out.

    May 11, 2019 |

    TheGrio |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Maryland

    Across the United States, Black Mama’s Bail out bailed out hundreds of black women in time for Mother’s Day. The organization accepts donations to pay bail for women cannot afford it on their own as part of their larger goal of ending the cash bail system and mass incarceration. Research shows that while black women are increasingly one of the largest groups of incarcerated individuals, and yet simply posting bail has led to a majority of these cases being dropped.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

    May 03, 2019 |

    U.S. News & World Report |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

    The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • I Served My Prison Time. Why Do I Still Have to Pay?

    April 30, 2019 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    In 2018, San Francisco county forgave $32 million worth of criminal justice administrative fees. These fees are issued to formerly incarcerated individuals upon release from prison, most of which are not employed and without stable housing. The coalition pursuing this policy change cited economic justice for those that have already paid their societal debt and an overall state savings in collection costs as the primary reasons to end this practice.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • “What Does the World Beyond Jails and Prisons Look Like?”

    April 18, 2019 |

    Yes! Magazine |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

    The Detroit Justice Center is providing a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty in the county. The nonprofit law firm provides immediate support, like paying back child support and posting the cash bail payments that keep those experiencing poverty trapped in a cycle of debt and imprisonment. The group also aims high in their larger efforts to disrupt the criminal justice system, like suing the county to prevent the building of a new jail complex, and provides their clients and the community the chance to reimagine what the city could look like with transformative and economic justice.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Treatment Courts Adapt to Meet Challenges

    April 18, 2019 |

    New Hampshire Bar News |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

    New Hampshire's court system has found ways to improve treatment services for at least some people with substance and mental health problems, despite a lack of adequate resources. The state's problem-solving courts have improvised workarounds to the resources challenges, providing a recovery coach to defendants with substance-misuse disorder and using trauma-informed practices in drug and mental health treatment courts. One example: female trauma survivors facing criminal charges do not appear in court in front of a crowd of men, making them more open to asking for and getting help.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Piece of the Puzzle: Drug Courts Expand Across State

    April 17, 2019 |

    New Hampshire Bar News |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Concord, New Hampshire

    The New Hampshire Drug Court system – helping individuals find rehabilitation rather than prison – has proven to be a success and expanded to counties across the state. The court follows best practices from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, but also adapts each court to fit the needs of each local community. Since its creation in 2004, over 400 people have graduated from its programming – over 50 percent of its participants.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Graffiti punished by reading - 'It worked!' says prosecutor

    April 16, 2019 |

    BBC |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Ashburn, Virginia

    After graffitiing a historic landmark with swastikas and racist phrases, a juvenile prosecutor chose to educate rather than punish the perpetrators. Each teen was given a list of 35 books that covered topics like race, religion, and culture, and they had to pick 12 and do monthly assignments for a year. The books included titles like, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, and Night, by Elie Wiesel. After the year, the learning opportunity given to the teens showed demonstrable success.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Jury of their peers: Youth court aims to keep students out of criminal justice system

    April 13, 2019 |

    NBC News |

    Broadcast TV News |

    Under 3 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

    In Newark Youth Court, the common mistakes and misbehavior of childhood lead to a trial in which all of the participants are high school students, and the outcomes center on second chances and atoning for wrongdoing through community service and decision-making classes. The court, which hears about 100 cases per year, serves as an alternative to pushing allegations of minor fights, vandalism, and truancy into the justice system, where punishment falls most heavily on youth of color and can wreck lives without solving the discipline problems.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • By Forgiving Warrants and Fines, Communities Give People a Fresh Start

    April 09, 2019 |

    Yes! Magazine |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

    Stand With Dignity, a grassroots, community organizing group in New Orleans, has coordinated warrant clinics for those driving with suspended licenses. These clinics have forgiven $2 million worth of traffic fines and reinstated licenses for hundreds of individuals, in the hopes of breaking the cycle of unpaid fines, which is often a driver of unemployment and poverty.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • SEPTA quietly decriminalizes jumping turnstiles, lowers fines

    April 03, 2019 |

    WHYY |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania’s Transit Authority, SEPTA, has decriminalized fare evasion, with those who are caught facing a $25 fine. This is down from the prior $300 tickets that were issued in the past. The move toward decriminalization is part of a larger shift in the region for the criminal justice system to be less punitive and more rehabilitative, focusing more on addressing root causes of behavior.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Go to All Solutions in Focus