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Out of Debtors' Prison, With Law as the Key

Tina Rosenberg

March 27, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Norwalk, Ohio

Rampant misconduct by judicial systems across the country brought to light a crippling practice of debtors' prisons—where disadvantaged individuals unable to pay fines and fees were continually and wrongfully imprisoned, creating a vicious cycle. The American Civil Liberties Union stepped in to work with governments and private companies to increase transparency, eliminate abuse, and reeducate law enforcement officials. The state of Ohio has emerged as a leader in reforming debtors' prisons, though there is still work to do.

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The Radical Humaneness of Norway's Halden Prison

Jessica Benko

March 26, 2015 |

The New York Times |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Norway, Halden

The goal of the Norwegian penal system is to get inmates out of it. The country's Halden prison offers humane treatment, trying to help inmates as much as possible rather than punish them.

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Bastøy Prison: Creating Good Neighbors

Britton Nagy

September 11, 2014 |

Pulitzer Center |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Norway, Oslo

Many prison systems around the world are focused on retribution rather than rehabilitation. With the lowest recidivism rates in the world, Bastøy Prison of Norway is committed to developing positive members of society through a system that encourages rehabilitation.

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Philly Uses High-Tech Solution to Keep Kids in Touch With Incarcerated Moms

Christopher Moraff

June 04, 2014 |

Next City |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A correctional facility in Philadelphia is piloting a program that allows imprisoned mothers to have a say in the decisions that are made for their children. With the implementation of video conferencing, these women can attend meetings with DHS social workers while also maintaining a line of communication with their children and family.

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Helping Poor Defendants Post Bail in Backlogged Bronx

Julie Turkewitz

January 22, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

What happens when people can’t afford to pay bail? They plead guilty. That’s what happened in the Bronx Court System, which has “one of the most backlogged big-city courts in the nation.” One nonprofit, Bronx Defenders, wants to help, by paying their bail.

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Red Hook community court is a success: study

Oren Yaniv

November 12, 2013 |

New York Daily News |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Jailing convicted criminals has shown that it neither changes illegal behavior, nor reduces the rate of re-incarceration. Brooklyn’s Red Hood Community Justice Center has given many guilty defendants of minor crimes treatment and individual assistance without incarceration. A new survey shows that community courts reduce costs, decrease jailed inmates, and drop the crime rate.

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The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like people

Erwin James

February 25, 2013 |

The Guardian |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Norway, Oslo

With Norway having the lowest re-offense rate in Europe, the Bastoy prison in Norway not only demonstrates the effectiveness of this new approach, but also receives criticism that they treat prisoners with too much luxury.

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Prisons Rethink Isolation, Saving Money, Lives and Sanity

Erica Goode

March 10, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mississippi

A positive transformation in a Mississippi prison has become a focal point for a growing number of states rethinking the use of long-term isolation. Humanitarian groups have long argued that solitary confinement has devastating psychological effects, but a central driver in the recent shift is economics. Some officials have also been persuaded by research suggesting that isolation is vastly overused and that it does little to reduce overall prison violence.

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In Iran, a Brotherhood of Doctors and Patients

Tina Rosenberg

June 20, 2011 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Iran, Tehran, Tehran

Two Iranian brothers worked as doctors to reform how Iran tackles HIV, moving the country toward the harm reduction approach. By providing clean needles and methadone, the doctors were able to lower infection rates, even in prisons.

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Out of Prison, Into a Vicious Circle of Debt

Tina Rosenberg

June 09, 2011 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Many offenders get out of jail owing hundreds or thousands of dollars in court and parole fees but face barriers to financing and job acquisition, sticking them in a punitive, vicious cycle of debt and arrest. A program called the Clapham Set, perhaps paired with conditional cash transfers - may be a solution, as it erases fees for felons who complete rehab and job training upon release.

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