Tag Archives: Felon voting rights

justice from the frontlines: Aug. 20, 2023

Judge holds finding that insurance company discriminated

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against the Maryland Insurance Administration brought by Erie Insurance that claimed discriminatory treatment of Black brokers in Baltimore. Following the administration’s discovery of unfair practices such as criminal background checks and refusal to insure those with “city-sounding names”, the court’s ruling means that Erie Insurance will handle the claims through a state administrative procedure. The Baltimore Banner (Aug. 15, 2023)

Cops spending more time in cars

According to a recent report made as part of its legally required consent decree, the Baltimore Police Department continues to struggle to gain the trust of locals through community policing initiatives. Despite training efforts, the department remains hindered by officers spending more time on calls and in cars than they do in neighborhoods. The Baltimore Banner (Aug. 15, 2023)

Postponed prosecution

After prosecutors requested a delay because an assistant state’s attorney was ill, allegations of political scheming led to the dismissal and subsequent reindictment of Draquan Smith’s murder trial in Baltimore. The case highlights issues with staffing shortages and the difficulties in ensuring consistency in prosecutions. The Baltimore Banner (Aug. 15, 2023)

11-year-old arrested in assault and robberies

The release of thorough stop-and-search data by the Baltimore Police Department, as required by a court consent decree, has been significantly delayed despite promises of reform which worries experts and advocates. The lack of progress has led to concerns about transparency and leadership, which has a negative impact on how well the decree’s goals are being achieved and how well policy changes are being evaluated. The Baltimore Banner (Aug. 14, 2023)

Advancing justice

The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal is facing allegations of engaging in racial discrimination, and a court has decided that the action can proceed. The lawsuit argues that there is a racist culture in the department and makes charges of harassment, verbal abuse, and bullying. The judge found sufficient evidence to support some of the claims. WTOP News (Aug. 17, 2023) 

D.C. starts curfew for youth

Along with city officials and acting chief Pamela Smith, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled updates on the city’s crime strategy. These included a pilot program to address the shortage of police officers by providing referral bonuses, increased CCTV surveillance, and a Juvenile Curfew Enforcement program in particular areas. The revelation comes as the city experiences an increase in crime rates and fear of youth safety. ABC 7 News | DCist (Aug. 17, 2023)

Violence on firefighters

Myisha Richards, a firefighter in D.C., comes out about the brutal assault she experienced while attending to a call, bringing attention to the rise in violence experienced by EMTs and firefighters. Attacks and their effects on mental health spur initiatives to offer assistance, de-escalation training, and greater readiness for potentially hazardous circumstances. NBC 4 Washington (Aug. 16, 2023)

in other news

The Marion County Record newspaper in Kansas was raided by local police, infuriating those that support press freedom and journalism. The raid, which was the result of an argument between the newspaper and an owner of a nearby restaurant, is viewed as a serious violation of press freedom rights. Advocates raise concerns about the impact on journalism and demand law enforcement be transparent and accountable. KCUR 89.3 | NPR (Aug. 14, 2023)

The increasing rate of homicides and gun violence against Black women in Iowa brings light to underlying problems and inequality. Despite being a small, largely rural state, Iowa experienced a startling rise in the number of Black women killed in 2020; the issue was made worse by socioeconomic inequalities, easy access to firearms, and underinvestment in Black communities. Activists and advocates for this cause are working to bring about change by promoting violence prevention initiatives. The Guardian (Aug. 15, 2023)

Families of victims and death row inmates are working together in Louisiana to support individuals who are on death row. In accordance with the state’s “pro-life” principles, they are pleading with the state to reduce death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Gov. John Bel Edwards supports the clemency request and the overall effort illustrates the range of feelings surrounding the debate on the death penalty. Nola.com (Aug. 15, 2023)

Alarming proof that Florida prison officials and medical personnel let an incarcerated person’s prostate cancer go untreated, leading to eventual paralysis, a terminal condition, and extensive bed sores, has been revealed as a result of a civil rights issue. Elmer Williams, a former incarcerated individual, claims that the refusal of medical care was a punishment, casting light on the overall problem of medical neglect in the prison system. Reason (Aug. 15, 2023)

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community board

• Read: The Jewish Case for Prison Reform (Tablet)
• Apply: Racial Justice and Youth Defense Fellowship | Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative

justice from the frontlines: July 30, 2023

Brooklyn Day shooting victims

The Baltimore Police reportedly seized the belongings of the Brooklyn Day shooting victims. One woman said that the police had taken two of her favorite designer accessories when her son was in surgery. These accessories add up to a cost of $2,500. In 2021, there were a number of class-action lawsuits against the city over police seizures of personal belongings as evidence. The lawsuit is in settlement talks. A spokesperson for the Police Department said “evidently property” is held until the conclusion of a criminal case, and that it shares this to victims through its Victim Services Unit. Of the nine requests to hand back belongings, it has honored two of them, for a vehicle and a cell phone.  The Baltimore Banner (July 25, 2023)

ShotSpotter launched in Baltimore County

Despite its rising controversy, Baltimore County will launch the gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, as a part of a two-year $738k pilot program paid for with federal pandemic funding. ShotSpotter uses audio sensors to identify “gunshot-like sounds,” alerting police of where gunfire may have occurred. Software developers claim that its real-time tracking can locate a shooting more quickly and accurately than witnesses who call the police. It will cover roughly 5.2 square miles in unspecified areas of the Essex and Wilkens precincts. The system has been scrutinized for years by constitutional right activists and jettisoned by jurisdictions for its efficacy. The Baltimore Banner (July 26, 2023)

Alexandria police chief speaks out

Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes told FOX 5 that in his 30 years in the city, he has never seen crime and violence so rampant. He believes that the rise in crime is interfering with the quality of life for residents. Alexandra is 15 square miles with a little over 150,000 people. Hence, it is shocking that there have been a total of 48 shots fired calls for service in the city. Hayes said, “I can tell you; I don’t think we’ve hit this number in this timeframe in the City of Alexandria, ever.” Hayes believes that this is an underlying societal issue, and not exclusively a “police problem.” FOX 5 (July 26, 2023)

laughter allegedly sparks fatal shooting

Outside a hotel in Capitol Heights, three people were arrested and charged in a fatal shooting. According to a preliminary investigation, there was a dispute after the victim “began laughing with his friends” when the other party was locked out of his hotel room. Police have reviewed hotel surveillance video which showed the verbal argument. Officers arrived at the scene after the shooting. They later shared that the victim had gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital, where he died. There has yet to be a statement from attorneys or the family. The Washington Post (July 28, 2023)

judge denies indictment to police officer

A judge denied a petition by former Fairfax County police officer Wesley Shifflett to get his job back after he shot and killed a suspect earlier this year. In February, Shifflett killed unarmed Timothy Johnson, who was accused of shoplifting. Shifflett was denied indictment on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of firearm. Despite this, Shifflett petitioned for his return, arguing that the county did not follow the legal grievance process in his termination. NBC Washington (July 27, 2023)

lack of diversity in Virginia State Police

Phillip Diamond overheard a white supervisor say that he wanted to hire another officer before the hiring process for a sergeant. Diamond said, “You can’t tell me that wasn’t biased. It seems like they are choosing who they want to choose, and it may not be the best qualified person.” This has sparked a conversation surrounding diversity in the department. Public data shows that white applicants are accepted at higher rates than minority applicants. White men make up 80% of Virginia State Police, whereas Black men make up 8%. Another report showcased the disparity between white and Black officers, revealing that minority employees did not “perceive a level playing field within.” The Daily Progress (July 28, 2023)

staffing challenges for D.C. police chief

Chief Pamela Smith is facing challenges when it comes to staffing. Smith seeks to deploy more officers to locations in the city dealing with a spike in crime. Despite her efforts, the News4 I-Team uncovered that these neighborhoods have seen a shrinking police force. Since January, there have been 41 shootings or homicides with a gun in Police Service Area 708, which is 16 more than this time last year. A criminologist at Virginia Commonwealth University said that understaffing is “bad for public safety and it’s bad for community relations.” NBC Washington (July 20, 2023)

shooting at recreation center

One man was shot and killed at Marie Reed Recreation Center in DC. The man was identified as 30-year-old Arnold Humberto Solis. According to the police investigation and witness testimony, a number of men were sitting in the bleachers at a soccer game when a fight broke out. The situation escalated when a firearm was discharged. There was no verbal interaction beforehand and no prior indication of any threat to public safety. The shooter is unidentified and was reported leaving the scene before the police arrived. DC News Now (July 27, 2023)

From the Des

in other news

Patrol dogs are terrorizing and mauling prisoners across the country. Photographs have been taken showing men prone or shackled as dogs attack. Prisoners have reported that officers shouted racial slurs watching the attacks. In the United States, 12 states have authorized the use of attack-trained dogs in prison, and records show that states have their own protocol for deploying them. Insider (July 23, 2023)

Alabama’s chemical endangerment law makes it illegal to expose or permit a minor to ingest illegal drugs. In Etowah County, prosecutors have held pregnant women in prison for exposing their fetus to marijuana. Many women jailed for chemical endangerment were arrested for using before they were aware they were pregnant, never getting the chance to quit before they were arrested. The Marshall Project (July 26, 2023)

The House Democrats are proposing a bill that would broadly ban the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails and detention centers. The End Solitary Confinement Act would put an end to prohibiting isolating inmates and detainees with few exceptions while ensuring their due process rights. Solitary Watch (July 27, 2023) 

The Fort Belknap reservation in Montana is suing the federal government over lack of police funds. Two Indigenous tribes, the Assiniboine or Nakoda and the Gros Ventre, who refer to themselves as A’aninin or “People of the White Clay,” inhabit the reservation. One resident said, “They’ve been neglecting us for over 23 years; we’ve exhausted all options. They just don’t seem like they care.” The lawsuit was filed in October after a request for $5.3 million in funding. The Guardian (July 26, 2023)

In Mississippi, those with serious mental illness or substance abuse can be jailed, even if they are not charged with a crime. Since 2006, at least 13 people have died in Mississippi county jails as they awaited treatment for mental illness or substance abuse. Nine of the 13 killed themselves. Mississippi Today (july 27, 2023)

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community board

• Apply: The Sentencing Project is Hiring for Undergraduate Youth Justice Advocacy Fellow 
• Petition: National Campaign to Close Central Cell Block (CCB) 
• Read: How Connecticut has Cut Incarceration in Half 
• Watch: Company Strives to End Cycle of Recidivism and Mass Incarceration
• Watch: Nonprofit Receives $100K grant for work in DC Juvenile Justice System 
• Read: Prince George’s County Weekly Update 
• Read: Ending Eternal Punishment for Young Adults

justice from the frontlines: July 23, 2023

public safety bill signed in D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2023, which expands pretrial incarceration for both adults and juveniles who have committed violent crimes. It will grant police officers more access to private security cameras purchased through the District’s rebate program. There has been an array of responses to the bill. Many argue that the bill will not prevent crime. Police director for the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative said that detention is counterproductive and can encourage youth to further engage in criminal behavior.  DC News Now (July 20, 2023)

quality-of-life citation back in Baltimore

Quality-of-life citations are making a come-back in Baltimore’s city courts after the State’s Attorney Ivan Bates began re-prosecuting them. Bates recalled the non-prosecution policy in order for greater accountability in petty crimes and offenses. The state attorney seeks to grant defendants with “wrap around services,” like drug treatment and housing resources, in order to offer accountability and help. There has been backlash in response to the policy. Its opponents argue that it furthers consequences when individuals are cited more than once and distracts from community-based efforts to support individuals dealing with poverty, mental illness, and substance use issues. The Daily Record (July 19, 2023)

ANC scheduled for transfer to Kentucky prison

Leonard Bishop, the incarcerated advisory neighborhood commissioner, said that he is scheduled to transfer back to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons penitentiary in Kentucky. Bishop claims that he has not been given any explanation for the transfer and asked to be “afforded the opportunity to carry out his elected term as ANC Commissioner of 7F08.” Over his term, he advocated for the rights of incarcerated people to testify during D.C. Council hearings. In D.C., he has enrolled in classes through Georgetown University and Ashland University and has stepped up as a mentor in the Lead Up program. When he returns to the BOP, he will no longer have access to college classes or such opportunities. Washington City Paper (July 17, 2023)

11-year-old arrested in assault and robberies

An unnamed 11-year-old was arrested in connection with an assault and two robberies in May. The three charges were dismissed. Months later, he was arrested on charges of armed robbery and carrying an unlicensed pistol. This comes at a time when D.C. authorities are struggling with violence against juveniles and fear young children are at higher risk for crimes. The Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia said in a general statement that though they prosecute for all serious crimes, they “also advocate for every young person who commits a crime to receive services and support they need to prevent them from reoffending.” The Washington Post (July 19, 2023)

restoring voting rights to felons

The Virginia NAACP demanded Governor Glenn Youngkin to publicly share criteria for restoring the voting rights of convicted felons who have saved their time. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on when an application should be granted or denied. President of Virginia’s NAACP Robert Barnette Jr. has described it as a “painfully slow opaque process” and as secretive and discriminatory against people of color. There have been two lawsuits filed over Youngkin’s process because of its lack of protocol and its confusing nature. The Hour (July 18, 2023)

resident pronounced dead at D.C. Jail

24-year-old Marktwan Hargraves was pronounced dead in a D.C. Jail. Staff at the jail found him unresponsive and administered CPR and naloxone. D.C. Fire and EMS also arrived on scene. Police and the Department of Correction are investigating the incident, but the cause of death is still unknown. Last year, eight other people died in DOC custody, from causes that include suicide, homicide, drug overdose and heart disease. The DOC is required to publicly share information about people who died at jail, which includes their name, gender, race, and ethnicity, and the circumstances surrounding their death. DCist (July 20, 2023)

restorative justice

Teacher Vicki Rotker has led a “community circle” in Kingsview Middle School in Germantown. The community circle or restorative circle works to diffuse tension and allow children to learn from their mistakes through conversation. Instead of focusing on punishment, the method encourages responsibility and resolution to move forward. The school is a part of the Montgomery School District, which is introducing restorative justice practices to all its schools. This practice has long been used in indigenous cultures as a part of alternative sentencing. School administration has received pushback from parents and staff, saying that harsher discipline can be necessary to hold students accountable. Many fear that it will lead to a “free for all” in public schools. The Hechinger Report (July 15, 2023)

child confinement in D.C.

Kids at D.C.'s youth pretrial detention facility have been held in their cells for as long as 11 hours at a time during lockdowns this spring and summer, according to advocates. https://t.co/kiciYqlFjc

— DCist (@DCist) July 21, 2023

In D.C.’s youth pretrial detention facilities, children are being confined in their cells beyond the legal limit. Detention facilities are severely understaffed and are relying on extended periods of confinement. At this time, staffing shortage is so severe that the agency is no longer monitoring kids at risk of suicide. There have been reports of children being confined to their cells for as long as 23 hours a day. Advocates and lawyers say that DYRS has been in violation of a number of policies, but DYRS has yet to respond to these allegations. City leaders, however, have pushed back against these reports, saying that DYRS is committed to “loving” children within their custody. DCist (July 21, 2023)

Pamela Smith as D.C.’s new chief of police

Mayor Muriel Bowser nominated former U.S. Park Police chief Pamela Smith to lead the city’s police force. Smith has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement and will be the second woman and first Black woman as the city’s chief of police. Smith plans to prioritize tackling gun violence, especially among youth. Growing up in foster care, Smith has always been driven to a career in public service and in guiding the youth to make a positive impact. She said in a statement, “I live in Ward 8, and I believe that every resident of the District of Columbia has a right to feel safe.” City officials are optimistic for the changes that Smith will enact in the coming years. WTOP News (July 17, 2023)

safer streets start in classroom

A new D.C. bill will encourage school districts to develop an age-appropriate curriculum to teach conflict resolution skills. This will be introduced in elementary school and continue through high school for D.C. youth. The possible financial impact has not been released or specified in the bill. However, legislation will provide school districts additional financial or nonfinancial resources if necessary. D.C. Ward 4 Council member Janeese Lewis George was among the seven members supporting the bill. She is confident that the curriculum will allow youth to process emotion and feelings in an appropriate manner that avoids violence. WTOP News (July 21, 2023)

From the Des

in other news

Jermaine Cannon will be the second inmate in Oklahoma to be sentenced to death row this year. He will be the ninth state execution since the state reinstated the practice back in 2021. Jurors unanimously chose the death penalty, after his trial. Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement that he was pleased with the board’s decision to deny Cannon clemency. The Frontier (July 17, 2023)

The American Civil Liberty Union uncovered that Louisiana youth are in solitary cells with no air conditioning or windows. It is alleged that youth are only given few minutes outside of their cells and are being maced by officers. 15 of imprisoned youth are reported to be housed in former death row cells, 14 of which are Black. The Guardian (July 18, 2023)

There have been failures to carry out lethal injections in the last year in Alabama. Alan Eugene Miller detailed his execution in legal filings, reporting “sudden and severe pain,” after the prison spent two hours sticking needles all over his body. Despite its failure, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) have reported “no deficiencies” in executions. Bolts Magazine (July 18, 2023)

The Council on Criminal Justice has reported crime trends in U.S. cities through June 2023. The report showed a snapshot of the crime rates and offenses for 37 cities. The authors concluded that crime patterns shifted in response to the pandemic and have recommended policies to combat a rise in crime. Council on Criminal Justice (July 2023)

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community board

• Memoir: Former Police Officer Serves Life 
• Read: How Peer De-Escalation Works Within Prison as a Violence Harm Reduction
• Read: Controversy Surrounding Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Policies and their Effectiveness
• Read: Incarcerated Mother Separated from Children Under Minnesota’s Healthy Start law
• Tweet: Analysis of Shootings in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
• Petition: No New Letcher Prison