Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 858 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Philadelphia Treatment Court gives a 'second chance'

Albert Hong

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, people facing felony drug charges can opt for a yearlong program in a treatment court where their progress is monitored to ensure they avoid substance use, get treatment and stay in contact with their case managers. Judges presiding over the court work with those who miss those goals to help them reflect on how they can graduate, even if there are stumbles along the way. Those who successfully complete the program can work to get the felonies expunged from their records.

Read More
Go to Original Story
‘It's like a sisterhood'

Emily Scott

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mercy Hospice in Philadelphia is a recovery home that serves homeless women and their children. Their comprehensive approach provides addiction services, as well as mental health and trauma support; the home is seen as a "stepping stone to long-term recovery" and almost half of the women move on to independent housing when they leave the program.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Where Some of the Most Housing-Challenged Philadelphians Find Help

Jean Friedman-Rudovsky

May 01, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Housing is one of the major hurdles former prisoners have to tackle when they get out of prison. Two judges know this, that’s why they created a re-entry program that offers prisoners numerous services. The results? “Over the past 10 years, only 13 percent of graduates and 21 percent of all participants were arrested or had their parole revoked — compared to a 41 percent revocation rate for other returning citizens in the Philadelphia area.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
Battling Meth: A Rural Montana County is on the Frontline of National Foster Care Surge

Daniel Heimpel

April 28, 2017 |

The Chronicle of Social Change |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lake County, Montana

The drug crisis has reached new extremes in many parts of the country, as meth and opioids continue to tear families apart and funnel even more children into an already-strapped foster care system. In rural Montana, law enforcement and communities are trying a new approach to battling drug addiction, focusing on supportive family counseling and "drug courts" to help treat - rather than imprison - those struggling with addiction. In Lake County, Family Drug Treatment Courts are working to divert addicts from the vicious cycle and keep more families together.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Nation Reconciles After Genocide Killed Nearly a Million People

Megan Specia

April 25, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Mybo

In an attempt to bring peace to a region post-genocide, Rwanda has implemented "Reconciliation Villages" where survivors and perpetrators live side-by-side. This state-mandated reconciliation has lead to community service events that bring the two populations even closer together as they work to better the community they all live in.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Nueces County judge aims for reform with domestic violence court

Krista M Torralva

April 22, 2017 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Corpus Christi, Texas

Judge Inna Klein and probation officers from The Community Supervision and Corrections Department are bringing domestic violence reform to Nueces County. By taking more aggressive approaches toward supervision and accountability, and by focusing on rehabilitative services for offenders, they hope to break the cycles of violence.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Last Days of Solitary

Lauren Mucciolo Dan Edge

April 18, 2017 |

PBS Frontline |

Documentary |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Warren, Maine

Across the United States, the use of administrative segregation is being rethought and reduced, as study after study shows it’s link to higher rates of violence and recidivism. At Maine State Prison, over the course of six years, the number of people in solitary went from 100 to 8, while also seeing a decline in fights, use of weapons, and emergency room transportation in the prison’s general population. The prison has instead started implementing individualized mental health programming and structured living units – opting to implement rehabilitation over punitive measures.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Has a bold reform plan helped to shrink Philly's prison population?

David Gambacorta Samantha Melamed

April 12, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, but with a $3.5 million McArthur Foundation grant the city has used several initiatives to change that. The efforts appear to be working, with the number of inmates falling by 12 percent over one year. Programs include getting addicts treatment instead of more jail time, working to release those who cannot afford bail ahead of a trial and making attorneys more available for those who want to seek early parole.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Mentally ill man worse off after acquittal

Jessica Priest

April 08, 2017 |

The Victoria Advocate |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Victoria, Texas

“Two million people with mental illness are booked into jails every year.” Mental health courts, would take into accounts a person’s illness, rather than solely focusing on the crime.

Read More
Go to Original Story
After 36 Years in Prison, This Philadelphian Has a Model for Criminal Justice Reform

Tom Dallessio

March 31, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lack of education was the downfall of one Philadelphia man who spent 36 years in prison, and education proved to be his redemption when he discovered he could do well in coursework. He got a college degree and helped bring the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program to the prison where he was incarcerated. He continues to work with the program, which matches prisoners with college students and professors to help them gain the skills they need, and also fosters more compassion and understanding for those incarcerated.

Read More
Go to Original Story