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‘Scrap it, start fresh, and think:' What Milwaukee can learn from New York City on housing young offenders

Allison Dikanovic

March 06, 2019 |

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

As Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County seeks to transform how it handles young offenders, it looks to New York City as a model for change. In New York, the city has shifted its focus from large, state-run facilities to community-based programs and secured, residential homes. Milwaukee County weighs the lessons learned from this initiative and seeks to re-evaluate the services and long-term effects of its criminal justice programming.

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Australia is building community alternatives to prisons — they work

Lorana Bartels

February 22, 2019 |

Apolitical |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

With their national imprisonment rate on the rise, Australia is pivoting to a justice reinvestment strategy that diverts money towards "early intervention, prevention and diversion." Although this has yet to be implemented on a large scale, small projects are underway in parts of the country and have delivered promising results.

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Special Courts for Veterans Languish

Joseph Darius Jaafari

February 19, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Veterans treatment courts were developed in 2008 as a way for veterans to receive mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment rather than face incarceration. Created to address the mental health concerns that can lead to drug abuse and other issues, the courts have not seen the successes that were originally anticipated. Due to little demand, inconvenient locations, and mixed results, experts are calling into question the existence of such specialized courts.

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Denver Program Aims To Divert Low-Level Drug, Prostitution Offenders Away From Jail

Natalia Navarro

February 19, 2019 |

Colorado Public Radio |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

In Colorado, four communities are piloting a program that offers low-level drug or prostitution offenders an alternative to prison. This program, known as Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, matches the offender with a case manager who in turn connects them with treatment and training resources.

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How One County Became a Lab for California's Prison Reform

Abbie Vansickle Manuel Villa

December 21, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

After San Joaquin County adopted a slew of criminal justice reforms, crime dropped by 20 percent, the lowest number in a decade. One of the things that was implemented were speciality courts aimed at decreasing arrest time and helping “former prisoners find jobs, housing and treatment for mental health and addiction problems.” Other measures include ending cash bail and racial bias training. “Crime has always been issue No. 1, but the narrative in this city is one about being a second chance city.”

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Why more states are giving juvenile offenders a second chance

John Colin Marston

December 10, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Many states are rolling back the punitive measures against youth who committed crimes that began in the 1980s and 1990s. After the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional, states are shifting their attention from incarceration to community based care and prison alternatives. Missouri, which has led the country in “community based alternatives” for youth, has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country.

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Heroin addicts get clean through drug court intervention

Georgea Kovanis

December 07, 2018 |

Detroit Free Press |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Macomb, Michigan

At a Michigan county drug court, intense scrutiny and personalized attention for people in recovery - instead of jail time - is an approach with great promise. This in-depth look at the journey of people in the program shows its possibilities and its limitations.

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When a step back into prison is really a jump forward on the road to recovery

Anne Hillman

December 06, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Alaska

In Alaska, programs promote long-term rehabilitation and intensive treatment for people with addictions who are involved in the criminal justice system. Part of the way the program has been successful is by allowing participants to return to intensive treatment if they fall off the wagon - providing them the tools to eventually return to their homes, healthier and happier.

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Detroit homeless court changes lives for its defendants

Aaron Mondry

November 20, 2018 |

Model D |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Street Outreach Court Detroit is a collaboration between the courts and service providers to waive legal and financial obligations post-conviction if a person makes a commitment to an individualized action plan. These plans can include steps such as substance misuse treatment, enrolling in a workforce readiness program, and accessing housing subsidies.

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North Dakota may hold key to Wyoming's prison woes

Andrew Graham

November 13, 2018 |

WyoFile |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bismarck, North Dakota

Criminal justice reform succeeds when states prioritize rehabilitation and over punishment. In North Dakota, the Free Through Recovery program increases the number of stakeholders in a parolee’s success, creating multiple levels of behavioral health support. The program is part of a criminal justice legislation package that included sentencing reforms and alternatives to incarceration. The state has been successful in beginning to reduce its overcrowded prison populations and serves as a model for other states.

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