justice from the frontlines: Dec. 17, 2023

Students unite against gun violence in D.C.

In a high school musical theater classroom, students in Washington, D.C., gather to discuss the pervasive impact of gun violence on their lives. Led by Kanihya Glover, who lost two cousins to shootings, the group, named Broken Concrete, aims to create a safe space for sharing experiences and preventing further violence. Despite the challenges they face daily in a city marked by a surge in homicides, these students, including Kanihya, envision a future where their community can overcome the cycle of violence through unity, understanding, and proactive measures. The Washington Post (Dec. 11, 2023)

Juvenile carjackers face adult charges

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 10 teens for their involvement in a series of carjackings in Washington, D.C., linked to at least 15 incidents. U.S. Attorney Matt Graves is advocating for juveniles committing serious crimes like armed carjacking to be charged as adults, citing the Youth Rehabilitation Act’s limitations and emphasizing the need for a strong response to convey the real-world consequences of such actions. NBC Montana (Dec. 11, 2023)

D.C. council tackles crime wave with new ideas

In response to a 40 percent increase in violent crime in Washington, D.C., officials, including Councilmembers Robert White and Brook Pinto, are pushing for legislation to enhance accountability for illegal guns, protect businesses from crime, and improve emergency response using surveillance technology. With a record 256 homicides this year, the city is urgently seeking effective measures to address the crime wave. DC News Now (Dec. 11, 2023)

Arlington painkiller prescriber guilty

Arlington County doctor Kirsten Van Steenberg Ball was convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy for prescribing over 1 million oxycodone pills over a decade, despite red flags and warnings from health regulators. Ball, who claimed concern for her patients’ pain, was found guilty of overprescribing the powerful painkiller, falsifying records, and lying to regulators and the FBI, potentially facing decades in prison. Defense argued she was deceived by trusted individuals, while prosecutors emphasized her disregard for patient safety and knowledge of the law. The Washington Post (Dec. 12, 2023)

Decades of Maryland school abuse exposed

Numerous men filed a lawsuit against the state and the Department of Juvenile Services, claiming they were sexually abused as young boys at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School over four decades. The lawsuit, citing a culture of abuse, seeks compensatory damages and follows a similar case against another facility under the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, which eliminated the statute of limitations for such cases. The Baltimore Banner (Dec. 13, 2023)

D.C. officers seek bodycam review

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves is under scrutiny for barring D.C. officers from reviewing body camera footage before filing reports, impeding prosecutions. Proposed legislation by Mayor Muriel Bowser seeks to change this, but the ACLU opposes it, citing concerns about biased recounts compromising document integrity. Graves argues the theoretical concern outweighs practical issues, emphasizing that neighboring counties already allow such reviews. NBC Washington (Dec. 13, 2023)

Maryland prosecutors unveil juvenile justice overhaul

Maryland prosecutors, Ivan Bates and Aisha Braveboy, propose changes to recent juvenile justice reforms, advocating for the physical presence of defense attorneys during youth interrogations, increased penalties for probation violations, and other measures. They argue that the amendments prioritize accountability and public safety, but critics, including the Maryland Youth Justice Coalition, argue for community-based solutions and challenge the focus on the criminal legal system. The announcement precedes Maryland’s legislative session, where juvenile justice reforms are a key topic, amid concerns about a rise in carjackings and auto thefts. The Baltimore Banner (Dec. 14, 2023)

Ballots behind bars

In a rare event at the Correctional Treatment Facility in D.C., a special election was held for advisory neighborhood commissioner, resulting in the historic victory of Shameka Hayes, the sole woman among 11 candidates. Currently awaiting trial, Hayes emphasizes the need for improved jail conditions. The election, observed under strict conditions, aimed to encourage democratic participation among inmates, with over a hundred registered voters. The Washington Post (Dec. 15, 2023)

in other news

Gut feelings, gun failings. Defending his Indiana gun sale business against Chicago’s lawsuit, Earl Westforth said in a 2022 deposition that he relied on “gut feeling” to evaluate people and lacked extensive tools to follow questionable purchases. The judicial dispute highlights the difficulties in implementing laws prohibiting the sale of illegal firearms and raises questions about the ATF’s inadequate power to punish dealers who violate the law. After retiring, Westforth raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measures in place to prevent the trafficking of illegal firearms. ProPublica (Dec. 11, 2023)

Death row compassion campaign in NC. Exonerated former death row inmate Ed Chapman is part of a coalition urging North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to commute the sentences of the state’s 136 death row inmates. The coalition emphasizes racial disparities and the risk of wrongful convictions, urging clemency as an act of justice. Governor Cooper, with a mixed record on commutations, has not publicly responded to the call for mass clemency amid concerns of a potential resurgence of executions under Republican control. Bolts (Dec. 11, 2023)

Senators demand proper prison healthcare. Senators Durbin and Grassley demand immediate reforms in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) following NPR’s findings of preventable deaths among federal prisoners due to inadequate medical care. They stress the need for independent oversight, addressing staffing crises, and expanding compassionate release options to ensure proper medical attention and enhance community safety. Families of prisoners, sharing distressing experiences, underscore the urgency of the situation and advocate for humane treatment behind bars. NPR (Dec. 12, 2023)

Michigan’s voting revolution. After spending 36 years in a Michigan prison, Malijah Gee, who was unable to vote as a youth, looks forward to casting his first vote in the state’s presidential primary upon his release. Michigan recently enacted a law, effective in 2025, expanding automatic voter registration to incarcerated individuals upon release, aiming to enhance access for a historically disenfranchised population, with advocacy groups pushing for educational programs to inform inmates about their voting rights. WEAA (Dec. 16, 2023)

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community board

• Read | Commentary: The alarming reality of poverty and Baltimore’s Black children
• Read | Info: How Virginia stole the Caps and Wizards from D.C.
• Read | Commentary: A Mother’s View on Gun Violence
• Watch/Attend | Daughters Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival