Police departments are understaffed and recruiting has become more difficult. In recent years, the number of communities using community responders to handle non-violent situations has skyrocketed.
Elected prosecutors have a critical role to play in responding to policies that can erode trust and endanger public safety.
Prosecutors will no longer be able to use rap lyrics as evidence; it will not be a crime to loiter for the purpose of sex work; courts will be barred from disclosing someone’s immigration status; and inmates will be allowed to make free phone calls.
Oregon has had an ambivalent relationship with the death penalty for decades. Meanwhile, tackling issues with blanket policies versus case-by-case, a Pennsylvania House dispute continues and odds and ends to close out the year.
Georgia’s efforts to discourage voters had an impact in the state’s Senate runoff. Fairness and justice still won out, but we should be making it easier — not harder — for people to register and vote.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week that thousands of residents will see their cannabis possession convictions either fully or partially erased as part of the 2021 law that legalized use of the substance.
In the final session of the year, lawmakers will consider changes to the controversial criminal justice law aimed at improving police accountability and an equitable justice system.
Millions are serving unjust sentences or struggling with permanent marks on their records. Pardons, expungements and commutations can provide a second chance for an individual, a family and a community.
Our prisons don’t have enough staffers to protect inmates or themselves. Better pay, benefits and working conditions are needed, and there are other effective strategies.
More than a dozen states have enacted laws regulating how law enforcement uses it. But federal legislation is needed: A piecemeal approach doesn't keep all citizens safe from misidentification.
Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty wrote a letter to President Biden, calling for more funding for state police and rape kit investigations to address the “undeniable deterioration of public safety.”
Brown County, Ill., officials and justice system officers are voicing concerns over a change to the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equality-Today Act that would do away with the state’s cash bail system.
A federal judge has approved a settlement between the state and 54 residents who had been on a work-release program but lost COVID-related unemployment benefits when the pandemic stopped their work opportunity.
Much of the information presented about the coronavirus pandemic fails to include data about the virus’ impact within the corrections system. Many jails in Georgia have contradicting or undercounted information.
The state Senate approved a bill that would seal the records of some previously incarcerated individuals if they maintain a clean record to help them better reintegrate into society. The bill will next move to Gov. Newsom for consideration.
Two states are leading the way in training and accountability guidance and policies aiming to prevent tragedy and trauma. Arrest should be viewed as the least desirable outcome.
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