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A Vision of Healing, and Hope, for Formerly Incarcerated Women

Adrienne Day

September 07, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A project in the Bronx led by two formerly incarcerated women is testing whether transitional living/supportive housing meant specifically for women can help protect against recidivism. The Hope House currently provides homes for 5 women, emphasizing the need for community, not just fulfillment of basic necessities.

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As a teen he killed a man. A new law has given him a second chance.

Keith L. Alexander

September 06, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act was passed is a D.C. law that allows people who commited a crime before the age of 18 to have their sentences reduced if they’ve served at least 20 years in prison. The law was built on the idea that youth, whose brains haven’t even fully developed yet, should not receive adult sentences. ““This isn’t about giving people a slap on the wrist,” he said. “It’s about giving people consequences that are age-appropriate.”

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Youth Need Community-Based Treatment, Not Jails

Megan Hadley

September 05, 2018 |

The Crime Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

The number of youth confined in U.S. detention facilities has dropped by nearly half since 1997, saving money and reducing recidivism. A report by the Justice Policy Institute says this has made communities safer, but that reductions are only among those accused of nonviolent crimes and that racial and ethnic disparities have increased. The report calls for changes, such as repealing state laws on mandatory sentences, offering better probation supervision and creating more diversion options.

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Can New Zealand Provide the U.S. With a Model for Juvenile Justice Reform?

Arvind Dilawar

September 04, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: New Zealand

New Zealand introduced restorative justice practices for juveniles in their criminal justice system after incredibly high rates of child incarceration and an over-representation of minorities. The practice, in places since the late 80's, includes youth justice councils and limits police arrests. The "overall number of youth arrested, charged, and incarcerated" has fallen, but there is still disproportionate representation of minority groups in the system.

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Veterans Courts Give Soldiers a Way Back

Heidi Shin

September 02, 2018 |

70 Million |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

When military veterans get charged with crimes, more than 350 courts nationwide exist to try to keep them out of jail, with rehabilitation as the chief goal. Boston Veterans Court provides people with social workers, outreach specialists, access to therapy, and help in going to school, finding a job, and dealing with life's stresses. Many people in this system come home from war struggling with anger, trauma, and substance abuse problems. Some studies have quantified veterans courts' success rates for helping people overcoming mental illness and staying out of criminal trouble.

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How 'the incarceration capital of America' embraced criminal justice reform

Frank Carlson William Brangham

August 31, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

After years of being the incarceration capital of America, Louisiana began changing its laws in 2017 to cut the number of people in prison, prompting a drop of seven percent in the prison population and savings of $12 million. The funds will be reinvested in education, job training and other programs in prisons and jails for those about to be released. But many challenges remain, including stigma from employers and landlords, and skepticism by the state's attorney general.

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How the Formerly Incarcerated Support the Formerly Incarcerated

Zoe Sullivan

August 30, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

A nonprofit launched by formerly incarcerated men in New Orleans addresses some of the immediate challenges people face in the first 72 hours coming out of prison. The First 72 offers them a place to go, which can be a serious problem for those with records, as well as support and mentorship. There is also a small business incubator that some returnees have used to turn their side hustles into small businesses with plans to grow and employ other former felons.

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Big Tech's Newest Experiment in Criminal-Justice Reform

Alexis C. Madrigal

August 29, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Building on the Last Mile program that teaches inmates to code in some California prisons, Slack launched an apprenticeship program for the formerly incarcerated. It's a small initiative compared to the vast need, but organizers hope other companies will join the effort. While Last Mile graduates have stayed out of prison, it's been challenging for them to find actual coding jobs and critics say the effort does not addresses systemic issues around incarceration.

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New Jersey Bails Out

Joel Rose Keith Romer

August 29, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

Although California has become the first state to eliminate the cash bail system, New Jersey has been using an algorithm for the last 18 months to combat the economic injustice created by the system. This bail reform, which looks at risk assessment on a scaled level, has successfully resulted to less people in prison as well as decreased crime rates.

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Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

Nina Sparling

August 29, 2018 |

WhoWhatWhy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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