Category Archives: NEWS

imprisoned pregnant women may get more protection from bill; death row man killed despite mental health concerns; police to use robots armed with shotguns; B-More teens shot at high rates; LA men in prison for almost 30y found innocent

justice on the frontlines: Oct. 24, 2022

juveniles imprisoned at adult prison

Under pressure from officials, following the escape of nearly two dozen juvenile inmates from Bridge City Center for Youth in New Orleans, Governor John Bel Edwards relocated ten youths to the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Juvenile justice advocates and the transferees’ families are protesting the move, which would house minors in the same place as adult inmates on death row. State officials say the move is temporary while the Youth Center is renovated, and the youths will be kept in a separate building 1.5 miles from the rest of the penitentiary. Opponents to this move have cited the Penitentiary’s history of violence and alleged poor medical care. US News (Oct. 18, 2022)

baltimore teens shot at high rates

2022 has been a historically deadly year for teenagers in Baltimore. 71 children, the majority of whom were 16-17 year old Black males, were killed by gun violence this year. One third of the shootings took place in the Eastern District of the city. Deputy Mayor Anthony Barksdale said the city had recognized the high rates of youth shootings and is trying to find ways to prevent it. Barksdale said the presence of “ghost guns” – guns which are bought in parts on the internet and assembled at home – is contributing to the violence. Gun violence now kills more children than car accidents nationwide. The Baltimore Banner (Oct. 17, 2022)

inmates now a protected class

The Atlanta City Council has voted to include former inmates as a protected class of people. The decision means that former inmates cannot be denied opportunities for employment or housing on the basis of their incarceration. Bridgette Simpson, co-founder of a nonprofit that helps convicted people reintegrate into society, said that one in eight people in Georgia are impacted by the justice system and may fall into this protected class. The ordinance is predicted to lower recidivism rates throughout the city. Atlanta News First (Oct. 17, 2022)

deaf man killed in jail

A deaf man named Javarick Gantt was killed inside the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center. Gantt was arrested without bail on a warrant for violating probation, a decision which his friend Anthony Taylor did not understand. Taylor and Gantt’s mother expressed concerns about the way Gantt was housed with other inmates. Kirsten Poston, president of the Maryland Association of the Deaf, questioned the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ (DPSCS) compliance with a court settlement outlining proper accommodations for people who are deaf. DPSCS Intelligence and Investigative Division detectives are currently undergoing both criminal and administrative investigations into Gantt’s death. The Baltimore Banner (Oct. 19, 2022)

avoiding records for the rich

Court diversion programs offer defendants the opportunity to avoid a criminal record through various forms of restitution, including community service acts. However, this more appealing option comes at a high cost: literally and metaphorically. Courts set high fees for diversion programs, meaning wealthier defendants can avoid a record where others may not be able to. Diversion programs mean that justice systems cater differently to those in different financial situations. Advocates such as Joanna Weiss, co-director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, believes diversion should be free. NPR (Oct. 17, 2022)

protecting pregnant women in jail 

A bipartisan senate bill introduced by Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Susan Collins layouts improved care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women and their babies. If this act – called the Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act – is passed, federal facilities would be mandated to provide access to medical and mental health services in addition to education for women in regards to parental rights as well as physical needs like lactation consultation. Under the act, pregnant women would not be placed in solitary confinement in their last trimester. Dr. Carolyn Sufrin said the bill could replace varied state standards with one national standard of care. 19th News (Oct. 17, 2022)

injustice delivered

On Wednesday, three Louisiana men incarcerated for over 28 years were found wrongfully convicted of murder. Bernell Juluke, Kunta Gable and Leroy Nelson were originally found guilty of the second-degree murder of Rondell Santinac in 1996, who died from a drive-by shooting. Newly uncovered evidence linked the original police investigation to an officer who was found guilty of murder conspiracy and endemic corruption. Prosecutors unveiled additional evidence of innocence, involving the credibility and testimony of the lone eyewitness to the shooting. Officers Len Davis and Sammie Williams were the first officers present at the scene of the shooting two minutes after the shooting and before any of the officers dispatched by 911 operators arrived. This made the court believe that they were following a pattern where they covered up for drug dealers they provided protection for. The Guardian (Oct. 20, 2022)

competency questioned, still executed

The state of Oklahoma executed Benjamin Cole, who was sentence to death for murdering his young daughter. His case caused a debate over if he should’ve been executed or not due to battling from schizophrenia and being severely mentally ill. His attorney said his mental illness led him to kill his daughter. Oklahoma state law makes it illegal to execute someone found to be insane. Cole was the second death row inmate put to death in a series of more than two dozen executions scheduled in the state of Oklahoma. CNN (Oct. 20, 2022) 

colon cancer kills incarcerated man

The Office of Inspector General for the Justice Department is launching an investigation for the death of Frederick Bardell. Bardell was convicted in 2012 of downloading child pornography from a shared website and sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. While in prison Bardell died due to colon cancer. In 2020 and 2021, Bardell filed a motion for compassionate release arguing he had advanced from cancer but his motion was denied by U.S. District Judge Roy Dalton. The government opposed Bardell’s motion arguing that it was not definitive that Bardell had cancer. Reason (Oct. 17, 2022) 

armed robots to be used as lethal shotguns 

pregnant inmate

Oakland police officers have been pushing and advocating for language that will allow robots to kill robots under certain emergency circumstances. The Oakland Police Department is in discussions over the authorized robot use policy. Some observers say the plan for robots to be armed contradicts itself because, “it’s billed as a de-escalation facilitator, but they want to keep it open as a potential lethal weapon.” Lt. Omar Daza-Quiroz, who represents the department, says they are still having conversations and doing more research. The department assurance that a shotgun-toting robot would be subject to departmental use-of-force policy did not satisfy critics. The concern is that police would be rolled out and robots would take over when police decided to use lethal force. The Intercept (Oct. 17, 2022)

mishandling nitrogen hypoxia documents

The Alabama Department of Corrections was slammed by the federal judge for mishandling an execution. Alabama wanted to execute convicted murderer Willie B. Smith III, but Smith’s attorney had filed a challenge claiming that Smith, who’s intellectually disabled was not provided a required explanation to opt out of the nitrogen hypoxia – a paper form distributed to all death row inmates at Holman Prison. The form distributed wasn’t an official Alabama Department of Corrections form and due to that they weren’t required to follow ADA guidelines. Alabama Political Reporter (Oct. 19, 2022) 

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supreme court rejects retrial request due to racism for Black death row prisoner, lack of medical examination kills incarcerated woman, covid relief funds bought police sniper rifles and bonuses, parkland shooter avoids death penalty

justice on the frontlines: Oct. 17, 2022

Rejected by Supreme Court 

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court turned away a Black death row inmate’s appeal for a new trial due several jurors expressing opposition to interracial relationships during his court case. Andre Thomas was convicted of murdering his estranged wife, their 4-year-old son and his 13-month-old step daughter. Thomas denied guilt. He gouged his eyeballs out twice and ate one of them. The prosecutors agreed he was in a psychotic state when he committed the murders, but Thomas was still sentenced to death by an all-white jury. Thomas’ lawyers argued that there was jury bias because three jurors said they were against interracial relationships during the jury selection process. NBC News (Oct. 11, 2022)

VA prisons could save $28M

A new report laid out recommendations for Virginia prisons to cut the cost of phone calls and basic goods. The report released earlier this month included feedback from various prison reform advocacy groups, incarcerated individuals, members of the Virginia General Assembly and others. The policy change could save the state more than $28 million annually. The report also recommends giving incarcerated people at least 120 minutes per day of no cost phone calls, making visitation video free, and increasing daily spending on prison food from $2.20 per person to $4.00 per person. State lawmakers ordered more information on the report ahead of the 2023 session where they may take further action on these recommendations. DC News Now (Oct. 10, 2022)

Supreme Court hears death row case 

Rodney Reed, whose claims of innocence drew millions of Americans to pay attention to his death row sentence, appealed to the Supreme Court last week to force Texas to test DNA evidence. A decision is expected sometime next year. Reed was convicted by an all-white jury in 1998 of the rape and murder of Stacey Stites, a 19-year-old white woman. Despite mounting evidence that her fiancé killed her, he has stayed on death row for decades. The supreme court is deciding whether Reed waited too long to ask for the DNA tests. The Intercept (Oct. 9, 2022)

cancer kills incarcerated women

An incarcerated woman died from cervical cancer which went undetected because she didn’t receive a Pap smear for 10 years while in prison. Niccole Wetherwell’s death highlights the lack of medical record upkeep by the Nebraska department of corrections despite a 2015 state law requiring that they update and complete medical records. Various proposals and attempts to create or acquire an electronic health record system as a solution have produced little progress. Omaha World-Herald (Oct. 12, 2022)

covid relief bought police sniper rifles 

The city council in Independence, Missouri reallocated $2 million in federal covid relief funds to police who spent it on sniper rifles, ballistic helmets and officer bonuses. Without federal guidelines, local jurisdictions spent covid funds where they chose. Because almost any spending can qualify as covid relief, police agencies are using the covid funds to fulfill their needs. Correctional institutions purchased body scanners, surveillance systems and built new prisons. The Marshall Project (Oct. 13, 2022) 

charges dropped

On Tuesday, Baltimore prosecutors abruptly dropped murder charges against Adnan Syed, the man whose case captured worldwide attention with the hit podcast “Serial.” The move caught the family of the victim and officials in Maryland by surprise. Charges were dropped due to other DNA on the victims shoes. The victims family didn’t receive a notice about the hearing and their attorney wasn’t offered an opportunity to be present at the proceeding. The Baltimore Banner (Oct. 11, 2022) 

death penalty avoided

The Parkland school shooter has avoided the death penalty after the jury rule for life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury recommended this decision after a months-long trial to decide Nikolas Cruz’s punishment. Parents of the victims feel he doesn’t deserve compassion for what he did to the students. Prosecutors asked the jury to sentence the gunman to death because it was premeditated and calculated. CNN (Oct. 13, 2022) 

returning to the free world

Formerly incarcerated Texans are facing hardships to restart their lives after leaving prison. Without much help from the state, the Next Chapter program in Lufkin is stepping in to help recently released people to get back on their feet. The program helped like Maurice Watts to get a job without a college education. They helped him develop reading and communication skills. They also gave him a short-term loan for gas and food. The Texas Tribune (Oct. 12, 2022) 

arranging prisoner swap 

U.S. basketball star Britney Griner has been struggling emotionally, and she is worried that she may not be freed from Russian prison. One of her lawyers said that she is not in good condition. On Wednesday, President Biden stated that there has been no movement with the Russian president on her case. A White House official said that the administration was trying every available channel with Moscow to arrange a prisoner swap. If Griner’s appeal is unsuccessful, she will not be released. New York Times (Oct. 12, 2022) 

unannounced and without a warrant

Each year, child protective services agencies inspect the homes of roughly 3.5 million children without warrants, while only 5% of those homes have had children that are physically or sexually abused. New York City’s child protective service bureau showed up unannounced and without a warrant to search Ronisha Ferguson’s home after she was accused of inadequate supervision due to working long hours. They are being harmed rather than saved. Most of these children are forced to watch their moms and dads be humiliated, powerless and turned into second-class citizens in their own homes. ProPublica (Oct. 13, 2022)

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Biden cannabis pardons free no one in Feds for Cannabis crime; FBI reports inaccurate crime statistics; NYPD illegally sends innocent people to Rikers; man remains in prison for 30+ years despite evidence of innocence; reformist Alex Friedmann sentenced to prison for guns stored in walls

justice from the frontlines: Oct. 10, 2022

AL inmates continue historical strike

Despite a Department of Justice investigation and multiple years of litigation, people incarcerated in Alabama are striking statewide against inhumane prison conditions including poor medical care, violence, retaliation, dilapidated prison living conditions and low staff. The Governor called their demands “unreasonable.” She has refused to work with the DOJ to improve the prisons and instead courted private prison companies for new facility contracts as a solution. Strikers are facing reported retaliation and starvation HuffPost (Oct. 7, 2022)

POTUS pot pardon frees no one from prison

Biden has pardoned approximately 6,500 people convicted of “simple” cannabis possession, a low level offense that excludes the trafficking or sale of marijuana. This includes currently in federal prison. Most people are incarcerated on distribution and other charges as well as possession. Biden has urged state officials to follow his lead. Biden cited the disproportionate rate at which Black and brown people are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for marijuana use, calling the convictions “needless barriers.” The Guardian (Oct. 6, 2022)

FBI arrest data incomplete and inaccurate

A million-dollar crime statistics reporting system known as NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) produced a data set for 2021 that was fragmented and inconsistent with reports of drug-related crime rates nationwide. The FBI released multiple documents through its “Crime Data Explorer,” each listing a conflicting number of drug/narcotics offenses. The data was provided by only 19 states who transitioned to the system fully, and 31 other states who have not yet completed a full transition. Marijuana Moment (Oct. 5, 2022)

tribal courts power increased to charge non-Natives

Congress has passed a new law that allows tribal courts to file more charges, including sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking and obstruction of justice, against non-Native defendants. This expansion of jurisdiction empowers 31 tribal nations to address violence against women and children on tribal land. The law was included as a section of the Violence Against Women Act. Previously, tribal courts only had jurisdiction over non-Natives who committed acts of domestic violence. The Oklahoman (Oct. 3, 2022) 

ACLU against E-carceration

People undergoing pretrial proceedings, probation, parole, or immigration proceedings are all commonly monitored electronically through a GPS. In a new report, the American Civil Liberties Union is calling for this to end. Co-author of the report Ayomikun Idowu called the electronic monitoring “e-carceration.” The GPS system tracks people’s whereabouts and prevents movement more than a few hours from the wearer’s home. The ACLU said that going to work or seeing family can be impossible. If a person fails to comply, they can be imprisoned. The Davis Vanguard (Oct. 3, 2022) 

missing search warrants

Mississippi state rules mandate that no-knock search warrants are returned to courts to be accessible to the public. However, many are not available, leaving victims of no-knock warrants in the dark. Almost two-thirds of Mississippi county courts prevent public access to search warrants. Some search warrants, however, never left the police station. These documents are protected by a public records exemption that benefits law enforcement agencies. Breonna Taylor was killed when police entered her home armed with a no-knock warrant, inspiring nationwide scrutiny of the policy. However in many cases, this scrutiny raises questions that remain unanswered without lack of access to official documentation.  ProPublica (Oct. 4, 2022) 

illegal detention at Rikers

A lawsuit filed by four people currently detained on Rikers Island says that the New York City Police Department and Department of Correction has been taking people straight to Rikers Island without bringing them to court, violating state law. NYPD detained Paul Philips, and several others in similar situations, on the basis of an old open bench warrant, which is typically issued when someone does not turn up to court. However, the warrant was no longer open, a fact which was made known to the NYPD. Despite this, Philip and his co-plaintiffs were detained illegally on Rikers Island. Hellgate NYC (Oct. 4, 2022) 

solitary confinement suit settled

Prison reform advocate Alex Friedmann has settled a lawsuit he brought against the Tennessee Department of Correction after being placed in solitary confinement despite not having received a conviction. Friedmann was placed in a solitary cell walled with steel plates under a ‘safekeeper’ order which allows pretrial inmates to be detained in state prisons. The terms of the settlement mean that prison officials will individually assess safekeeper inmates, who will be allowed to participate in hearings to determine where they will be kept. Both safekeeper and regular inmates can appeal a decision to be kept in solitary confinement. The Toronto Star (Oct. 3, 2022) 

reformist sentenced to prison

Alex Friedmann, who just earlier this week settled a solitary confinement lawsuit with the Tennessee Department of Correction, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for vandalism. Friedmann, a criminal justice advocate, was found guilty of vandalizing Davidson County Jail, causing $250,000 worth of damage. Friedmann planted guns in the jail, claiming a gang rap in jail earlier had led him to do so to protect himself. Friedmann has a history of advocating for prison reform. News Channel 5 (Oct. 6, 2022) 

Minnesota DOC violates ADA

The US Department of Justice found that the Minnesota Department of Corrections has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying the right of incarcerated disabled individuals to enroll in General Educational Development (GED) program opportunities or to apply for modifications. The DOJ has asked that the Minnesota DOC resolve this civil rights violation by notifying inmates about the reasonable modifications available to them and allowing them to apply for and receive modifications for GED courses and exams. The Department of Justice (Oct. 3, 2022) 

solitary confinement reform ignored

A new solitary confinement reform called the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act was meant to create therapeutic “residential rehabilitation units (RRUs)” in prisons. Under the Halt Act, these units would allow prisons to place inmates in a humane space as an alternative to standard solitary confinement. However, state prisons are neglecting to uphold the standard for RRUs set in the HALT Act. Instead, inmates have been cuffed, chained, and shackled whilst inside the “therapeutic” rooms. New York Focus (Oct. 5, 2022) 

innocent man imprisoned

In 1991, an intellectually disabled man Charlie Vaughn confessed and pleaded guilty to the murder of Myrtle Holmes. In 1995, Vaughn, illiterate himself, had a fellow inmate write a letter to a federal courthouse on his behalf, requesting to be released from custody. He made his request on the basis that he had not received proper legal representation and was wrongfully convicted of murder. Vaughn’s petition was dismissed. In 2015, evidence surfaced that linked another suspect to the murder, but not Vaughn or two others who had been jointly convicted for the same crime. These two men were freed; Vaughn was not. The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act says that prisoners only have one chance to be federally reviewed. Vaughn’s 1995 letter meant that he had used up his one chance and remains imprisoned today. Radley Balko (Oct. 5, 2022) 

city pays for killing by police

Daniel Prude was killed in Rochester New York by police officers who placed a hood on his head and pressed it into the pavement. The killing, which took place in March of 2020, sparked protests throughout the community. Prude’s family filed a lawsuit against the city of Rochester, who settled the suit for $12 million. The settlement means that the city does not admit liability for Prude’s death, but the Prude family’s lawyer told The New York Times that he hoped the case would lead to further investigations into police brutality. The New York Times (Oct. 6, 2022) 

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inmate in AL prison “starved” and neglected, Cleveland spent millions of dollars on surveillance cameras to deter crime, Black people in the U.S. 7X more likely to be falsely convicted, two dozen kids to be imprisoned in Angola

justice from the frontlines: Oct. 3, 2022

neglected to starvation

Kastellio Vaughn, who was convicted on burglary and break-in charges in 2019, fears for his life in Elmore Correctional Facility in Alabama. When twins Kassie and Kascie visited their brother, they said he was unable to walk and lost a significant amount of weight. Kassie Vaughn received disturbing pictures from an unidentified inmate of her brother slumped over, emaciated with a large undressed wound. Vaughn had to be transferred to Staton Correctional Facility’s Medical Observation Unit. Kassie Vaughn shared the photos of her brother on Facebook to bring awareness to his health conditions, but Alabama Department of Corrections hasn’t responded to these recent allegations. ABC News (Sep. 26, 2022)

habitual offenders

Nearly 2,000 people in Mississippi and Louisiana serving long or life sentences were labeled as “habitual offenders.” A change in Louisiana law allows for claims based on ineffective counsel to apply to sentencing not just verdicts. An investigation by The Appeal, found that the nearly 30-year-old policies still punish people for small crimes. The Appeal (Sep. 26, 2022)

inmates with disability punished

Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison in New York, has been sending their disabled inmates to solitary confinement as punishment. One of the inmates was sent there for 15 days for getting into a fight. Under the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act, prisons shouldn’t have sent her there because they are not allowed to hold people with physical and mental disabilities for a long period of time for any reason. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision runs the state prison system and has sent hundreds of people to solitary confinement and hasn’t been complying with the law. New York Focus (Sep. 26, 2022)

millions spent on police cameras

Cleveland spent at least $7 million on 1,500 surveillance cameras to deter crime or apprehend suspects since 2007. Unlike other cities, Cleveland officials refuse to share where the cameras are and how they are used. The city does not have policies aimed at balancing transparency, privacy, civil rights and community safety. In Baltimore and Oakland California camera locations are disclosed and citizens vet how police use surveillance technology. The police department has not provided a draft policy on how it will release records, public information and data. The Marshall Project (Sep. 29, 2022)

inflation hits inside

At Western Missouri Correctional Center inflation has weighed on many prisoners. Inmates have reduced the number of calls they make and shortened the length of their conversations in order to save money. They also have been going without toothpaste and instead using soap and mouthwash. While the inmates are battling inflation, they have turned to buying and listening to music to cope with their emotional distress. With no outside support for some inmates, they have not been able to afford hygiene products or medications. Prison Journalism Project (Sep. 26, 2022)

children incarcerated

Louisiana officials will incarcerate about two dozen children in the coming days inside Louisiana’s State Penitentiary, the infamous Angola. Children 10-years-old and up with a history of assault may be transferred from their current juvenile correctional facilities. Louisiana law clinics and the ACLU sued to try to stop the transfer of children and argued that keeping them in an adult prison was unconstitutional and psychologically harmful. Chief District Judge Shelly Dick reluctantly signed off on the plan. Mother Jones (Sep. 27, 2022)

CA prison showers halted

Regulations to combat the severe drought in California are being used to control prisoners. Prisoners have been forced to work for showers. Governor Jerry Brown made an executive order that called for a 25 percent reduction of water usage on a statewide level which is causing prisons to conserve water. San Quentin State Prison issued a bulletin imposing water restrictions. They limit showers to three times a week and for five minutes. Those incarcerated who have chosen to go to school or work a non-CDCR approved job are restricted to three five-minute showers a week. The Nation (Sep. 27, 2022)

kids taken and cases delayed

Bryan Hickson and Patricia Soto found out they were having a baby boy. But two days later, they received a call that their child would be removed from their home. Massachusetts’ Department of Children and Families, the state’s child protective services agency, informed Soto that they were taking custody of the child. Both thought it was a mistake, but because Soto had history with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) because of allegations of domestic violence between her and an ex-partner back in 2018. This raised the question of why Hickson couldn’t keep the baby. DCF declared he wasn’t present. So they were forced to give up custody. Mother Jones (Sep. 26, 2022) 

prison guards to be replaced with drones

All 50 states have struggled to bring in prison guards which has driven them to start thinking about surveillance technology. Officers have been frustrated with low pay, violent conditions, long hours and isolated work locations and end up quitting. These factors are driving the state of Nevada to use drones in the prison and surveillance bracelets to monitor the people serving time there. Governors in Florida and West Virginia have declared states of emergency due to staff shortages. The Nevada Department of Corrections plans to move forward with surveillance technology. POLITICO (Sep. 28, 2022)

falsely convicted

A new report shows that Black people in the U.S. are seven times more likely to be falsely convicted of a serious crime than white people. Data gathered from exonerations for murder, sexual assault and drug crimes from 1989 through August 2022 highlighted significant challenges in obtaining national criminal justice statistics. Counties are supposed to report the crimes rather than the state but this leads to misreporting and lack of accountability. Dramatic racial disparities have made a significant impact to the point that innocent Black people also spend a significantly longer time in prison before exoneration than white people. Yahoo! News (Sep. 27, 2022)

new trial

Nearly 20 years later, one of two living members of the “Texas 7” prison gang convicted in the murder of a North Texas police officer in 2000, could get a new trial due to a judge’s anti-Semantic comment. Randy Halprin was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 in the killing of Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins. Witnesses have testified that the judge in Halprin’s case, Vickers Cunningham, was known to make racial and anti-Semitic comments against Halprin. WFAA (Sep. 27, 2022)

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U.S. DOJ failed to count 1,000 deaths in prisons; new evidence leads to release of Serial’s Adnan Syed; Texas judge imprisoning children at high rates

from the frontlines: sept. 26, 2022

racist police hiring practices

Following allegations of both racism within the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and that their employment practices discriminate against Black applicants, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a formal investigation. The investigation will determine if the KCPD violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by engaging in racist practices affecting entry level hiring, promotion rates, and disciplinary actions. NPR (Sep. 19, 2022)

public defenders’ clients more often jailed

New research spearheaded by eight district attorneys revealed that, in several districts across Colorado, defendants who cannot afford a private attorney and rely on public defenders are more likely to be sentenced to jail. While the incarceration rates for felony clients both publicly and privately represented were similar from 2017-2019, from 2020 onwards the rates began to differ; so far in 2022 61% of public defenders’ clients were jailed, compared to only 54% of private attorneys’ clients. The Denver Post (Sep. 19, 2022)

miscounted prison deaths

A bipartisan report released by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee revealed that the U.S. Department of Justice failed to properly count approximately 1000 deaths of people in prison. The investigation, chaired by Senator Jon Ossoff, found that the miscount was the result of the DOJ neglecting to enforce the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013, which mandates states that receive federal funding report any prison deaths. Louisiana Illuminator (Sep. 20, 2022)

compassionate release blocked in Georgia

New data from the United States Sentencing Commission found that vulnerable prisoners seeking compassionate release for fear of COVID sickness are less likely to be granted approval in Georgia than anywhere else in the U.S. Federal judges in Georgia’s Middle District granted only 1.7% of the requests they received. The requests of prisoners such as Kenneth Moore, who is serving a 14-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, were denied on the grounds that Moore, and others like him, had received the COVID-19 vaccine.  The Current (Sep. 21, 2022)

Serial’s Adnan Syed released

Adnan Syed, subject of the popular podcast Serial, has been released from prison after serving almost 30 years for the murder of his high school girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. His conviction was vacated in response to a petition filed by public defender Becky Feldman requesting Syed’s case be reviewed under the 2021 Juvenile Restoration Act. Feldman felt Syed deserved a new trial after examining undisclosed evidence in possession of the state of Maryland, including handwritten notes about another suspect. The Baltimore Banner (Sep. 20, 2022)

judge imprisons too many children

Tarrant County courts send more children to juvenile detention centers than any other county in Texas. One state district judge, Alex Kim, has detained a disproportionate number of children. An analysis of the county’s juvenile justice system, led by former head of Tarrant County Juvenile Services Carey Cockerell, found that new policies, such as one that allows for longer detention while a decision is reached, are driving the high rates. Cockerell also said Kim and two associate judges do not hold court often enough.  The Texas Tribune (Sep. 21, 2022)

stifling heat

Hit with a heat wave, Georgia doesn’t have universal air conditioning in their prisons. Only a quarter of Georgia prisons are fully air conditioned and Georgia is one of 13 states in the South and Midwest that with this issue. Many people in prison are susceptible to heat-related illness which have caused dozens of health-related deaths in Texas prisons. In order to combat this issue, Georgia will have to modernize their facilities with air conditioning and train staff for extreme heat events. Prison Journalism Project (Sep. 19, 2022)

male choice

Some male politicians s say that a woman who receives an abortion should receive the same criminal consequences as one who drowns her baby. Rep. McCormick (R-LA) told a committee of state lawmakers that “the taking of a life is murder, and it is illegal.”. Male  lawmakers in states such as Indiana, Texas, Arizona and Kansas believe they need to wipe out existing abortion regulations to punish these women. A poll conducted by Pew Research Center, said that people don’t believe men should have greater say on abortion policy. CNN (Sep. 21, 2022)

cruel and unusual punishment

San Quentin State Prison in California has been using their Adjustment Center (AC) for their incarcerated COVID patients since June. When the prison turned the AC into a COVID unit, a devastating outbreakinfected more than 62 percent of the population and killed 28 incarcerated people and one correctional sergeant over the course of several months. Prisoner Wayne Hughes was sent there because of COVID-19 and he along with other patients “described being trapped in dirty cells in conditions that felt punitive—sometimes while battling serious cases of COVID.” Type Investigations (Sep. 19, 2022)

"The unit has a name: the Adjustment Center. Often shortened to the AC, it has long served as the harshest of California’s death row units, usually used solely for solitary confinement of people whom officials consider a threat to the security of the institution."

Katie Rose Quandt Tweet

court mandate

New York City’s Department of Corrections is under a court mandate to reform Rikers. The system continues to struggle with violence, abuse and allegations of neglect from prisoners, high absenteeism among staff and other issues. Kevin Bryan hung  himself on Sept. 14 at the Eric M. Taylor Center, making him the 14th person to die in custody shortly after his release. New York City says they have a handle on the issue and will make a renewed case for keeping control of the facilities. Bloomberg (Sep. 19, 2022)

toxic bars

At least 23 jails have been proposed or constructed on toxic land in Midwestern states. All but three states of these facilities were in their states’ toxic air corridors. Harmful health risks like COVID-19, air pollution, and cancer were found on the land, leading to a lower life expectancy. Capital B News (Sep. 12, 2022)

on strike

Incarcerated workers within the Alabama Correctional System may go on strike in the coming weeks. The number of the individuals who may go on strike is unknown but a considerable amount hold jobs inside. Alabama’s prisons remain some of the most dangerous and inhumane. An on-going lawsuit with the U.S Department of Justice alleges unconstitutional treatment, narcotics abuse and increased violence between incarcerated individuals that can be directly linked to a lack of staffing system wide. The proposed date for the strike is Sep. 26. Alabama Political Reporter (Sep. 21, 2022)

forced prison labor to end?

In the November midterm elections, five states will vote whether or not to remove the punishment clause from their state constitutions. Roughly two out of three of the 1.2 million people incarcerated in state and federal prisons in America are forced to work.. Prison reform advocates believe that the use of forced labor for inmates is rooted in antebellum slavery. Yahoo! News (Sep. 20, 2022)

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department

September 24, 2023 No Comments

D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

September 17, 2023 No Comments

In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

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imprisoned youth in TX denied bathrooms, Iowa teen who stabbed her rapist won’t get felony or prison time, woman sues San Francisco after her DNA from rape kit used to accuse her of 2021 robbery

from the frontlines: Sept. 19, 2022

Imprisoned kids denied bathrooms

Children in Texas youth prisons have been trapped in their cells and forced to urinate in water bottles, milk cartons, lunch trays or pieces of paper as makeshift toilets. At Giddings State School, dozens of detained youth reported officers didn’t let them out of their cells to use the bathroom and were kept in their cells for 22 hours some weekends, due to a lack of teachers and case managers to fill in officer positions. Gov. Greg Abbott remained silent on the crisis. Texas Tribune (Sep. 12, 2022)

Billions of covid funds to police?

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act gave local governments $350 billion to recover from COVID-19. Funds were spent on police, prisons, and courts. The Treasury Department’s lax reporting requirements make it difficult to track how much was spent on law enforcement but data showed that billions of dollars went towards the criminal justice system. The Marshall Project (Sep. 7, 2022)

prosecuting pregnant women for weed use

Two district attorneys in Oklahoma have been targeting pregnant women with child neglect due to using marijuana during their pregnancy. Amanda Aguilar, a mother who struggled with severe nausea, was approved for a medical marijuana license by a doctor to ease her morning sickness. Two months after having her baby she was charged with child neglect, a felony. She is among 26 other women who were charged with child neglect.  The crime can be punishable with up to life in Oklahoma prisons. The Marshall Project (Sep. 13, 2022)

black hole

Cleveland residents and elected leaders question whether $60 million spent has improved policing in the city and end federal oversight. Consent decrees force cities to change abusive police tactics.The consent decree agreed to between the Cleveland Division of Police and the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015 did not assign guilt or liability.  Instead, it was a blueprint to repair the community and stop excessive force. The Marshall Project (Sep. 12, 2022)

teen who stabbed rapist won't go behind bars

An Iowa teen who pleaded guilty in the fatal stabbing of her alleged rapist will not go to prison and might escape a felony record. Pieper Lewis received five years of probation and a deferred judgment. Lewis was ordered to stay at the Fresh Start Women’s Center while she is on probation and is ordered to pay $150,000 to the man’s family. USA Today (Sep. 14, 2022)

denied medical evaluation

Incarcerated people in Washington state prisons who developed COVID-19 symptoms died due to not being adequately evaluated after they requested to be seen for symptoms. This issue is one of more than half a dozen reports that were delayed or shelved after the departure of the Ombuds office’s inaugural director. The delay of the COVID-19 reports raises questions about the state’s response to the pandemic. Crosscut (Sep. 14, 2022)

lawsuit for the use of DNA

A woman sued San Francisco after her DNA from her sexual assault case was used to convict her of an unrelated crime. The woman’s DNA, which was collected and stored in the system back in 2016 for a domestic violence and sexual assault case, was tied to a burglary in late 2021. Without her consent or knowledge of the woman, her DNA was placed in the database to identify suspects in crimes. The woman filed the lawsuit under the alias of Jane Doe to protect her privacy. CBS News (Sep. 13, 2022) 

treated like animals

People with severe mental illness in the Los Angeles County Jail’s booking center have been chained to chairs and benches for days. The Los Angeles County jail system’s Inmate Reception Center has become so overcrowded that detainees are left to sleep on the ground without blankets, while the floor is covered in garbage and urine, the attorney of the American Civil Liberties Union alleged in a filing submitted in federal court. The Appeal (Sep. 13, 2022)

Jail deaths not publicly disclosed

Seven deaths have occurred in the D.C. Jail this year. Giovanni Love was one of those who  died in custody of the D.C. Department of Corrections. Love died at the age of 20 from what seems to be a suicide but his family is still searching for answers about his death and to hold the Department of Corrections accountable. Four out of the seven deaths including Love’s have not been previously reported or publicly disclosed. DCist (Sep. 15, 2022)

limit long sentences

North Carolina’s Supreme Court broke new ground in protecting the rights of criminal defendants in recent years. Their high court which has a 4-3 Democratic majority, ruled along party lines to limit long sentences for juvenile offenders. Depending on the outcome of the high courts election, the progress may come to a halt’s next year. Two democratic seats are on the ballot and a Republican group has pledged millions of dollars to flip one of the seats. Facing South (Sep. 15, 2022)

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

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In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

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juvenile arrests double, judge grants Trump’s request for special master, staffing shortages prevents victims from trial

from the frontlines: Sept. 12, 2022

increase in guns

Juvenile arrest charges have doubled this year, and police are concerned about the increase they’ve seen in teenagers carrying guns. There were 986 arrests of children under 18 between Jan. 1 and Aug. 28. Dayton Daily News (Sep. 5, 2022) 

violent Labor Day weekend

At least 12 people were shot in Philadelphia during the Labor Day weekend. One of the shootings involved six victims, including a 33-year-old woman and 19-year-old man. Philadelphia Inquirer (Sep. 5, 2022) 

special master request

A judge granted former President Donald Trump’s request for a special master to review documents from Mar-a-Lago. She also ordered the government to cease any review or use of the materials for its criminal investigation. At the Sept. 1 hearing, the Justice Department laid out its argument against the special master and signaled it was likely to appeal such a ruling. Cannon set a deadline for Sept. 9 for the two parties to submit joint filing. NPR (Sep. 5, 2022)

curfew enforced

In one Maryland county will temporarily enforce a state curfew for teens. 430 juvenile’s have been arrested so far this year charged with carjacking, violent crime, or gun offense. In D.C., teens criticized the effectiveness of a similar curfew ABC News (Sep. 6, 2022) 

pubic defenders overwhelmed

Maine officials may ask lawyers to stop accepting new assignments from the courts because lawyers who represent defendants who cannot afford their own counsel are overwhelmed. Eleven lawyers have more than 301 open cases and half of the open cases are managed by 33 lawyers. Among the attorneys still accepting new cases as of Aug. 9, there were 23,655 open cases. Maine Monitor (Sep. 4, 2022)

population skyrockets

Height of the pandemic led Colorado prisons and county jails to make policy changes to lower inmate populations. By the end of June 2019, the state had a total of 14,227 incarcerated people. In January of 2021, population was low as 10, 636, but it increased by almost 2000 people by the end of June 2022. Colorado Newsline (Sep. 6, 2022)

standstill

A cross agency group in Vermont has not been able to agree on proposals for treating criminal defendants with severe mental illness. The debate underlines the challenge in addressing one of the root causes of some of Vermont’s most high-profile violent crimes. The final report was supposed to be completed by Aug. 1 of this year but is being pushed to Jan. 2023. VT Digger (Sep. 5, 2022)

prison system shrinks

Michigan’s inmate population hit a 30-year-low. This resulted in cost-cutting and downsizing measures that include the closure of a prison. Michigan ranks in the top five worst in the nation for released people ending up incarcerated again. MLive (Sep. 7, 2022)

understaffed

Three presidents of King County’s largest law enforcement unions claim staffing shortages are jeopardizing victim’s right to justice due to inmates suffering from long lockups. One woman says her boyfriend has been awaiting trial for 18 months. The King County Police Officers Guild and King County Corrections Guild are losing more officers than that are being hired. They are down 100 officers and the staff that are there are only being used for emergency cases in the jails. The three unions are considering a campaign to raise awareness of the staffing issues. Fox 13 Seattle (Sep. 7, 2022) 

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

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In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

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gun violence spikes in cities; Biden discusses $37M in police funding; DC sniper to be resentenced

from the frontlines: SEPT. 5, 2022

shootings spike

Gun violence reaches new highs in recent memory  Philadelphia and Baltimore are some of the most troubling cities. Some residents say they want to be able to carry guns because it would make them feel safer but doing so could result in young people getting ahold of those weapons and arming themselves. NPR (Aug. 29, 2022)

national funding for police

President Joe Biden traveled to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Tuesday to discuss funding police and crime prevention efforts across the country. He laid out a $37 billion budget proposal for Congress that plans to focus on hiring and retaining officers, intervention strategies and improving the criminal justice system. Biden also spoke on enforcing gun laws through Biden’s Safer American plan. Spectrum News 1 (Aug. 29, 2022)

delayed care

Sandra Quinone, a pregnant inmate in California, lost her baby after jail employees stopped at Starbucks for a coffee run in March of 2016. Last week, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pay $480,000 to settle the civil lawsuit over the delayed care. Washington Post (Aug. 29, 2022)

big brother

Some of the largest wireless carriers like AT&T and Verizon not only know where you are when you make a phone call or use a data connection but they keep your location for years and provide it to law enforcement. CNN (Aug. 29, 2022)

what does forgiveness look like decades later

A mass school shooting in Kentucky in 1997 left three students dead and another five others wounded. The teen shooter, now an adult, is up for parole forcing the victims and families to confront the tough question of forgiveness of a teen shooter who claimed bullying. Washington Post (Aug. 28, 2022)

court orders resentencing

DC-area sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be resentenced. Maryland Court of Appeals based the ruling on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions relating to constitutional protections for juveniles. Malvo was sentenced to six life sentences, but it is unlikely he’ll be released from custody due to serving separate life sentences. DCist (Aug.29, 2022) 

fired over denial

Florida Judge received national attention for denying a 17-year-old an abortion due to her grades. As a result of that, Judge Jared Smith lost his re-election bid on Tuesday against attorney Nancy Jacobs. Bolts (Aug. 25, 2022)

back down

San Francisco, DA, Brooke Jenkins backs out of the release of a man many believe to be wrongly convicted. Jenkins sought to postpone the resentencing hearing for Ronnie Louvier, who is serving a life sentence for a shooting of 17-year-old Marquise Washington. Davis Vanguard (Aug. 31, 2022)

execution botched

An anti-death penalty group alleges that Alabama corrections officials botched an inmate’s execution last month. The group said that his arm may have been cut to find a vein for the lethal injection. AP (Aug. 31, 2022)

fallout of roe

Mothers who lose their babies and test positive for drugs can end up in jail. Over 50 women have been prosecuted in the United States since 1999 for testing positive for drugs after a miscarriage or stillbirth. Since Roe fell, the number could increase. Washington Post (Sep. 1, 2022) 

seven year sentence

Prison chaplain who sexually abused inmates was sentenced Wednesday to seven years. James Theodore Highhouse forced inmates seeking spiritual guidance to have sex with him. AP (Sep. 1, 2022) 

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

September 17, 2023 No Comments

In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

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gun violence surges despite crime fighting efforts; package snatching is now a felony in some states; new laws could provide relief to survivors of domestic violence in prison

from the frontlines: AUGUST EDITION

sentence delivered

A federal court sentenced Gregory McMichael, the shooter of Ahmaud Arbery to life in prison for hate crimes. His son who also participated in the killing of the Black runner, also received a life sentence. Arbery’s mother responded to McMichael’s statement: “Unfortunately his apology doesn’t bring back my son, but I do accept it.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Aug. 8, 2022)

DA saga in the bay drags on

Brooke Jenkins, the recalled San Francisco District Attorney’s former employee not only quit to successfully replace him in the recent recall election, but also received $100k as a consultant for a nonprofit that shares the same address and almost the same name as the organization behind the recall ballot, according to new ethics records. The Appeal’s Nick Wing makes some sense of the madness here.The San Francisco Standard (Aug. 9, 2022)

cracking down on snatches

Porch piracy in eight states is now a felony, and five states have introduced similar legislation. But others argue that these penalties are too severe and will disproportionately affect people of color. Type Investigations (Aug. 25, 2022)

cashed out

Baltimore school police officers earned almost $1.8 million in overtime and additional pay during a pandemic school year. They worked as after-hours security for other agencies and Orioles and Ravens’ games. Baltimore Banner (Aug. 26, 2022)

 

what does forgiveness look like decades later

A mass school shooting in Kentucky in 1997 left three students dead and another five others wounded. The teen shooter, now an adult, is up for parole forcing the victims and families to confront the tough question of forgiveness of a teen shooter who claimed bullying. Washington Post (Aug. 28, 2022)

call in the troops

As the humanitarian crisis in Alabama’s prisons continues to deteriorate, a former warden said that the national guard should be called in to support record low numbers of staffing. WAAY31ABC (Aug. 5, 2022)

shots continue to rain from B-more to DC

A press conference about crime-fighting team work in Baltimore last week was overshadowed by a mass shooting of seven people. Multiple people were shot and killed in D.C., P.G. County and Baltimore this month in a continued resurgence of gun violence. A football player for the Washington Commanders was shot multiple times this weekend on H St. NE. Baltimore Banner (Aug. 24, 2022)

forced labor

A year-long investigation into Arizona Correctional Industries found that the nearly 2,000 workers are employed for less than $1 an hour, and at times have to pay to live in their own cells and receive no benefits.They are also leased to other companies. KJZZ (July 18, 2022)

punished for protecting yourself

Women’s prisons are full of domestic violence survivors who took their fate into their own hands and killed their abusive partner. Laws passed to allow judges to consider abuse survivors for early release could fix this. Mother Jones (Aug. 11, 2022)

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

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In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

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05.02.2022

from the frontlines: april 25 - may 1

fighting for safety inside

Cynthia Alvarado was raped in jail before going to prison to serve a life sentence for a murder she did not commit. Now, sentence overturned after she already served 12-years, Alvarado is fighting for other women who faced sexual assault while incarcerated. The Appeal (April 18, 2022)

solution or political blunder?

Two bills moving through the California legislature that propose a mental health court to address houseless people gained criticism from disability advocates who say the court “forces treatment on mentally ill people with little regard for their civil rights.”  The Sacramento Bee  (April 25, 2022)

cover up

A LA sheriff commander filed legal papers accusing the LA Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, of obstructing justice and retaliating against those who blew the whistle on a deputy who kneeled on an inmate’s head in 2021.  LA Times (April 25, 2022)

saved, for the moment

A few days before being executed Melissa Lucio was granted a stay, but she could still face being killed. Her 2-year-old daughter died after falling downstairs. Lucio was prosecuted and convicted based on a coerced false confession. Truthout (April 26, 2022)

biden makes a weak pardon effort

Biden pardoned three convicted felons and commuted 75 other sentences in the first use of his presidential clemency power. As we reported, thousands are still caught in a broken clemency system that Biden has yet to address. USA Today (April 26, 2022)

fighting for identity

In six years, a special LA diversion program kept over 3,500 people with serious mental health disorders, physical illnesses and/or substance abuse issues out of jail. But for over a year, it hasn’t been able to take on new clients and no new funds have been proposed to expand capacity. LAist (April 27, 2022)

a pattern of racism before Floyd's murder

“The Minneapolis Police Department has engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade, including stopping and arresting Black people at a higher rate than white people, using force more often on people of color and maintaining a culture where racist language is tolerated, a state investigation launched after George Floyd’s killing found.”
AP (April 27, 2022) 

it's not the kids

As car jackings sweep the nation, a new study sheds light on motives in Chicago. It’s not vagabond youth joy riding on four wheels, but adults with economic motives selling cars on the black market. WBEZ (April 27, 2022)

Michigan faces prison staff shortage

“There are worker shortages in just about every industry these days and Michigan’s prison system isn’t immune– a new bill aims to change that by allowing recently retired corrections officers to return to the job temporarily.” FOX17 (April 25, 2022)

"Collier lived close to the place where Emmett Till had been lynched 16 years earlier. Yet her case didn’t have the same kind of national attention and staying power—at the time, the media often got her name wrong, misspelling it as “Jo Etha.” Her killing, and the subsequent court proceedings, did briefly galvanize civil-rights activists during the 1970s, but her story has since faded from the public imagination."

By Keisha N. Blain for The Atlantic: They Called her 'Black Jet' Tweet

Must Read: a black girl's death faded from memory

An 18-year-old Black teenager was shot dead by a car filled with three drunk white men in 1971, her case never drew the attention that Emmet Till’s lynching did. A conviction sent her murder to prison, but he got out quickly. Her case exposes the truth behind the rose colored narrative of the civil rights movement. The Atlantic (April 28, 2022)

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D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department

September 24, 2023 No Comments

D.C. substance abuse expert provides awareness to end stigma over the opioid crisis by demonstrating the use of Narcan and reconstruction tactics; Baltimore State Attorney published a ‘Do Not Call’ list of police officers in order to protect the integrity of the department; D.C.’s NEAR Act, despite providing more police data, has failed to lead to any significant crime reform

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Maryland’s youth justice system faces potential reform as offense rates rise, the attorney general and public defender of Maryland went on a barbershop tour in hopes to lower mass incarceration rates.

September 17, 2023 No Comments

In Baltimore, the attorney general and public defender engaged in a barbershop tour to discuss mass incarceration and community investments. D.C. residents grapple with rising crime rates, prompting safety concerns even in past low-crime neighborhoods. A Ward 8 community crime walk aims to address escalating violence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director emphasizes the need for prison system reform, touching on various critical issues.

Read More »

RESOURCES

COVID: State policy changes. News. Bureau of Prisons updates. State court changes.

GENERAL: Prison holistic self care and protection. Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook. Advocacy Handbook. Handbook: safety planning w/ survivors of domestic violence.

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