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Can an Algorithm Save America's Justice System?

Jon Schuppe Matt Toder

August 22, 2017 |

NBC News |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

Although the cash bail system has long been used in the US criminal justice system, many argue that it is biased based on socioeconomic levels. To reduce this bias, criminal justice researchers and data scientists have created a new risk assessment tool that uses an algorithm taking age, history of missing court and former crimes into account before making a recommendation on bail.

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New York City Guarantees a Lawyer to Every Resident Facing Eviction

Kriston Capps

August 14, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York City passed the first law in the nation guaranteeing legal representation to any low-income resident facing eviction. Pilot programs in California show that the right to counsel levels the playing field between tenants and landlords in the courtroom and can reduce the number of cases that result in homelessness, a huge cost savings for both tenants and governments.

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In Chicago and Beyond, Bail Reformers Win Big in Fight to End Money Bail

Sharlyn Grace

July 25, 2017 |

Truthout |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago’s Cook County Circuit Court, a new order was introduced to ask judges to only assign bail that could actually be paid by the individual. This new order could reduce the number of people who are in jail due to their inability to pay the bail and opens the door for new strategies that are more effective in getting people to return to court.

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In Philly courts, whether they'll die in prison comes down to their birthday

Samantha Melamed

July 06, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision allows those sentenced to life for crimes committed as juveniles to seek parole. These people make up more than half of lifers in Pennsylvania, which is considering numerous appeals, but now those sentenced when they were slightly older are arguing the impulsivity and immaturity that makes juveniles less culpable are also present in the brains of those in their 20s. They are seeking to ensure the same legal rulings also apply to them and the legal system is trying to reconcile legal definitions of adulthood with evolving brain science.

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Pennsylvania offers a new 'smart on crime' approach. But does it actually work?

Samantha Melamed

June 26, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

In an effort to reduce prison populations, some U.S. cities are enacting reforms that emphasize short, swift, and certain punishments for minor violations. Despite the hype, such reforms may be no better than existing practices.

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Pennsylvania's top court just made it way harder to sentence kids to life in prison

Samantha Melamed

June 26, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

To sentence a minor to life in prison without parole, prosecutors in Pennsylvania must now prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the minor is incapable of rehabilitation. The state supreme court ruling is meant to recognize most children’s impulsivity and their ability to change. The ruling is a significant step in Pennsylvania, which is home to the largest population of juvenile lifers in the nation.

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How Prisoners' Family Members Can Assist Overworked Public Defenders

Maura Ewing

June 05, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Norristown, Pennsylvania

Public defenders' caseloads are too large for them to be able to provide the details that a loved one of an offender can provide in court. Participatory Defense programs train loved ones of the offender to be able to provide a testimony, often resulting in less severe sentences.

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Directly Impacted Youth Are Leading Fights Against Racism and the Criminal Punishment System

Jean Trounstine

May 30, 2017 |

Truthout |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Across the country, young people are taking an active stand in criminal justice reform. Organizations like Assata’s Daughters and Teens Leading the Way have invested in young voices to shift make changes in things like the prison industrial complex and juvenile record expungement. In doing so, they have centered civic participation, racial justice, and activism as core educational tools to empower youth participants.

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How Cities Fought the White House, and Won, in the 1980s

Brentin Mock

May 24, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

In 1986, the city of Baltimore battled the Reagan administration over its local anti-apartheid ordinances—and won. How they prevailed may have important lessons for cities trying to resist Trump today; from his policies regarding immigration to climate change.

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As Palestinian #DignityStrike Passes One-Month Mark, New York Artists Illuminate the Struggle

Yates McKee

May 17, 2017 |

Hyperallergic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As a hunger strike was taking place among political prisoners in Palestine, the New York City-based project Visibility Sustains the Struggle created art in solidarity with strikers and raised awareness around the issues informing the strike.

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