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Inside the Ambitious Campaign to Drive Homicides in Chicago Below 400

Brian Freskos

July 11, 2019 |

The Trace |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, community organizations, public officials, and private funders have come together behind a campaign called “<399” – with the goal of bringing homicides to under 400. This collaboration has taken on a comprehensive, community-centered approach that includes initiatives like community outreach, individual support, and mentoring. While they’ve received significant funding from the city, they’re hoping to secure long-term financial and political support from all levels of government.

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What Gun Violence Prevention Looks Like When It Focuses on the Communities Hurt the Most

Elizabeth Van Brocklin

July 10, 2019 |

The Trace |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Across the United States, gun violence prevention initiatives are finally turning their attention to the urban communities hit hardest and supporting community-driven approaches. In the past, financial support has gone to linear, legislative approaches to gun control that often favor white communities, but the tides are turning. Funding has shifted to focus on initiatives that provide trauma recovery centers, hospital-based centers, and programs that provide communities hit the hardest with mentorship, job training, and therapy – all initiatives that have proven to help break the cycle of gun violence.

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Detroit Bail Project aims to disrupt the process of cash bail and incarceration

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak

July 09, 2019 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The Bail Project is posting bond for men and women who cannot afford to pay and haven’t been convicted of a crime. Based in Detroit, the nonprofit has locations across the country and uses a revolving fund to bail out individuals, meaning once the bond is recovered, the funding is then available for another person. Its Detroit location has bailed out nearly 200 individuals in an effort to end mass incarceration and prove that holding people – most of whom are people of color or experiencing poverty – does not diminish recidivism.

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Black People Are Charged at a Higher Rate Than Whites. What if Prosecutors Didn't Know Their Race?

Timothy Williams

June 12, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

The San Francisco District Attorney’s office has been instituting “blind charging,” making it impossible to see someone’s name, race, and other demographics before deciding to charge them with a crime. This new practice comes as a response to accusations of racial bias and profiling when deciding whether to pursue a charge – citing that black people are disproportionately targeted within the criminal justice system.

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

Emma Jane Kirby

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.

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

Ron Allen

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.

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DAs Have This Blueprint for Rethinking Criminal Justice

Emily Nonko

March 28, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Formerly incarcerated individuals, community leaders, and members of San Francisco’s District Attorney’s office, have joined forces to create a collaborative advisory board. The board meets to share re-entry challenges and successes, discuss the DA's work, and develop a deeper understanding of systemic crime in the city. From conversations about mental health to poverty, members are helping create new policies and opportunities for those still incarcerated.

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If We Were Roma, We Wouldn't Come Back From Britain

Denisa Gdovinová Filip Olšovský

March 25, 2019 |

Tyzden |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: England, Sheffield

In stark contrast with their Slovakia homeland, England has opened its arms to Roma immigrants with a set of accommodations aimed at helping them succeed in their new country. Victims of racism in both places, but particularly among Slovaks, the Roma newly arrived in England receive health counseling and educational aid that have inclusion at their core. Britain's school-attendance policies, for example, have increased Roma children's attendance by 30 percentage points, and few are shunted into special schools.

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Finding Reparations in an Unlikely Industry

Maureen O'Hagan

February 15, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland

In Portland, legislation to legalize marijuana also includes a provision to provide funds specifically to marijuana businesses run by those disproportionately impacted by the "war on drugs." Now, Portland offers competitive grants to small cannabis companies so that entrepreneurs can thrive.

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The case for hiring more police officers

Matthew Yglesias

February 13, 2019 |

Vox |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Much of the backlash against the police is based on assumptions that more police means more incarceration and more police violence, but evidence actually points to the opposite outcomes. When more police are put on the streets, and when they’re doing the right preventive tasks, that can deter crime from happening in the first place; hence, fewer arrests and less incarceration. Plus, inadequate staffing levels can lead to tired, stressed officers committing wrongdoing. Of course, if more police do more of the wrong tactics, then that can cause a deeper breach of community trust, which means more crime.

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