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

In Baltimore, ex-cons and drug dealers work to make streets safer

Matt Helms

December 16, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Safe Streets, a program run by the city’s Health Department, has lowered fatal shootings in Baltimore’s neighbourhood of Park Heights by hiring local ex-cons to defuse volatile situations before guns are drawn.

Read More
Go to Original Story
‘Not a Dungeon': The Evolving Approach to Juvenile Detention

Sierra Mannie Arielle Dreher

December 14, 2016 |

Jackson Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

The approach of some state detention directors to juvenile justice has evolved at Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center. Research shows that traditional detention is simply not working as a deterrent to youth crime—and can actually increase it. Administrators, county and special-interest groups have chipped away at antiquated practices to make room for rehabilitation and therapy. These efforts attempt to address the core issues that culminate in youth crime, delinquency and recidivism.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Meth series: Family drug courts fight rising tide of meth-fueled child abuse and neglect

Kathleen J. Bryan

December 13, 2016 |

The Montana Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

Montana saw the rise of child abuse and neglect cases due to parental substance abuse, particularly with those using methamphetamine. Family drug courts are reversing this trend due to a more holistic approach striving for permanency through rewards and sanctions program, frequent testing, and treatment.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Boulder's Elkhorn Treatment Center: 'Silver bullet' for women fighting addiction

Kathleen J. Bryan

December 11, 2016 |

The Montana Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Montana

The Montana prison system operates a pair of men's and women's treatment facilities that provide an intensive, nine-month treatment program for methamphetamine and opioid abuse that has shown high rates of success. Residents are seen not simply as prisoners or people with addiction, but as people needing empathy and life lessons in accountability and honesty. Therapy groups allow patients to share their stories of trauma. Various studies have shown the treatment centers have successfully graduated 75-95% of their patients.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Why this program for ex-offenders is working better in rural areas

Emily Previti

December 05, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Rates of recidivism in Pennsylvania have dropped substantially in recent years. Part of this decrease is due to the efforts of the Union County Justice Bridge Housing Program, which assists ex-offenders with housing. Other counties across the state are trying to replicate this success, yet face geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Hard time software: Why these prisoners learn computer coding

Ann Scott Tyson

November 28, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Quentin, California

The USA has one of the highest rates of incarceration, and reoffending is a likely outcome after prison. 'The Last Mile' and similar programs are providing inmates with the opportunity to learn marketable skills and earn degrees while in prison, and then find jobs once their sentence is finished, in order to decrease the likelihood of reoffending.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Mothers in Prison

Nicholas Kristof

November 25, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The US incarcerates 8x as many women as it did in 1980, and two-thirds of women in state prisons are there for nonviolent offenses. A program in Tulsa, Women in Recovery, is working with women (and their children) to divert them from prison, combat addiction, and get access to services like education, coaching, housing, and work.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Legal advocate helps workers under shadow of criminal records

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 20, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia enacted a law in 2016 that allows for people convicted of minor crimes to get their records sealed by a court. In this article an employment lawyer who has worked for many years with people who have records talks about why it's extremely difficult for people to reintegrate into a community and get a job with even a minor conviction in their past. The shift has garnered support across political lines as people begin to realize the economic and other costs to society when people can't work and end up back in prison.

Read More
Go to Original Story
If you have a criminal record, read this

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 19, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A law in Philadelphia allows people with certain misdemeanor convictions to ask a court to seal their records. This means job seekers could honestly tell prospective employers they have no criminal record and schools and landlords would not see the records either. However, law enforcement and district attorneys would still have access to the records so if a person is rearrested their history could be taken into account in setting bail or in sentencing.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Job seekers with criminal histories thankful for expungement clinic

Aaron Moselle

November 12, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

An expungement clinic in Philadelphia allows some with criminal charges in their past to start the process of having those sealed from public view by a judge. The workshops follow the passage of Act 5, a new state law that provides an additional path to expungement besides just a pardon from the governor. Many are hopeful the process will make it easier for people with issues in their past to get jobs and become independent citizens, although there are strict guidelines in the law on who can seek expungement.

Read More
Go to Original Story