Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 192 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Now he slings ice cream, instead of cocaine; ShopRite finds talent in former drug dealers

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 07, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Most employers might not hire former inmates, but one grocery store in Philadelphia is looking to do just that. Brown Store’s Inc. has made it a company mission to hire people out of prison. Employment is an important factor to keep former inmates from returning to prison.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Philadelphia Reentry Coalition wants to solve for the 'severe lack of data on returning citizens'

Tony Abraham

February 21, 2017 |

Generocity |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Two, separate coalitions in Philadelphia, whose aim is to lower recidivism rates, joined into one. Aviva Tevah, the director of the coalition, will have to merge the vision and goals of the 80 plus members. “We set new targets, a new organizational structure and focused on what it would look like to build the infrastructure for deeper collaboration in the future.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
Could this one simple idea stop the revolving door to prison?

Samantha Melamed

February 14, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, “500 men and about 10 women juvenile lifers who have been locked away for decades” will be released due to a recent Supreme Court decision that said it was unconstitutional for judges to strike automatic life-without-parole sentence for juveniles. Unfortunately, recidivism rates show that “ 60 percent of people are locked up again within three years of being released.” However, pairing a former prisoner with a mentor is an old school solution that has been proven to be successful. Studies show “participants who had mentors were twice as likely to find jobs and 39 percent less likely to reci

Read More
Go to Original Story
I'm FREE, Prisoner Re-Entry Program for Women, Takes a New Approach

Quinn O'Callaghan

January 24, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“Female offenders are the largest-growing prison population.” Key to making sure women don’t return to prison are effective reentry programs like FREE, a program for female offenders. However, FREE isn’t like other programs. It focuses on exploring the root causes that lead woman to commit crimes through a method called “cognitive shifting.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
N.J. will eliminate cash bail, speed up criminal trials in 2017

Joe Hernandez

December 21, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

New Jersey has eliminated cash bail and will instead make a determination, driven in part by computer algorithms, on whether someone is likely to commit another crime or not show up for their court date. This eliminates a system where more than a third of people awaiting trial were behind bars only because they could not afford bail. If a judge does decide to hold someone in jail, another reform kicks in assuring a speedy trial by setting required deadlines for cases to be heard.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Why this program for ex-offenders is working better in rural areas

Emily Previti

December 05, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Rates of recidivism in Pennsylvania have dropped substantially in recent years. Part of this decrease is due to the efforts of the Union County Justice Bridge Housing Program, which assists ex-offenders with housing. Other counties across the state are trying to replicate this success, yet face geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Prisoners With Hep C Get Cured In Some States But Not Others

Anna Maria Barry-Jester

October 13, 2016 |

FiveThirtyEight |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Currently, debates are ongoing about what to do with the substantial number of US prisoners with Hepatitis C. This piece highlights successful legal action in Pennsylvania that ensured costly treatment for prisoners.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Getting Tried as an Adult Depends on Skin Color

Sarah Gonzalez

October 10, 2016 |

WNYC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

Many minors, especially those who are black or hispanic, are tried and sentenced as adults. A new New Jersey law requires minors to at least begin their sentence in juvenile facilities, but there are still problems.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Germany has a different approach, better results

Sarah Gonzalez

October 10, 2016 |

WNYC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Germany, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

In the United States, minors are often tried and sentenced as adults, leading to traumatizing circumstances and high recidivism. In Germany, minors cannot be tried as adults and are put in prisons that double as farms, aiming to mirror the outside world.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Kenya, HIV-Positive Prisoners Combat Stigma, Trauma With Support Groups' Help

Lydia Matata

July 13, 2016 |

Global Press Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nairobi

Among the challenges for HIV-positive inmates are lack of food that meets their dietary needs and susceptibility to tuberculosis. The support groups, part of an HIV prevention and care program active in all the nation’s prisons, mitigate those challenges and create awareness about HIV prevention and care.

Read More
Go to Original Story