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Putting Fewer Innocents Behind Bars

Tina Rosenberg

July 03, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Pre-trial detention for non-risk offenders has proven to be socially harmful, costly, and actually increases the crime rate. The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative is a national program that aims to decrease pre-trial detentions based upon individual merit, and provides ways that a newly released offender can be surveilled, have mentoring, and receive treatment for mental health or substance abuse. The initiative has effectively helped to keep low-level offenders out of jail.

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Everything you think you know about disciplining kids is wrong

Katherine Reynolds Lewis

July 01, 2015 |

Mother Jones |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Berwick, Maine

Disciplining schoolchildren has led many students down the “school-to-prison-pipeline” because teachers have focused on controlling students rather than instilling problem solving skills. Ross Greene has developed Collaborative Proactive Solutions (CPS), which is a method that trains staff at schools to develop relationships with disruptive kids and help them problem solve. With the CPS method in practice in 2012, Central School has reported fewer students sent to the principal’s office and no suspensions.

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Prison Born

Sarah Yager

July 01, 2015 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bedford Hills, New York

More women are being incarcerated around the United States and that has spurred more institutions to create prison nurseries, which allow women to be with their newborns. It's not a new idea, but it's finding support among prison advocates as well as budget hawks because research shows nurseries can lower recidivism rates among mothers. The idea of children in prison remains controversial however.

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A Mother Forgives the Man Who Raped and Killed Her Daughter

Mark Obbie

June 30, 2015 |

Slate |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Restorative justice emphasizes accountability and making amends by facilitating meetings between people who committed a crime and those who were hurt by that crime. Victims can get their questions answered and express to the offender how their lives were impacted and the offender apologizes and presents specific ways they will make amends, such as community service or drug treatment. The method improves recidivism rates and gives victims a small sense of control. One participant, Linda White, was inspired to become a vocal and active advocate of the approach after speaking with a man who killed her daughter.

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Life on Parole

Matthew O'Neil

June 08, 2015 |

PBS Frontline |

Broadcast TV Programs |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

Connecticut is attempting to reduce prison recidivism by changing parole practices. Changes to the system are allowing parole officers to foster relationships with parolees and counsel them as people, not as cases.

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Guiding Families to a Fair Day in Court

David Bornstein

May 29, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Jose, California

Millions of families of arrested individuals do not know what to do to help, how to obtain a lawyer, or what the process entails in the court system. Created by Albert Cobarrubius Justice Project, participatory defense is a type of community organizing that teaches and empowers people who face criminal charges. Individuals know how to work with attorneys in order to navigate the system and ultimately feel equipped to become drivers of their own change.

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Behind Prison Walls, This Program Demonstrates That It's Never Too Late to Learn

Spencer Parts

April 30, 2015 |

NationSwell |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Princeton, New Jersey

The Petey Greene program, which has students tutor prison inmates, is helping to create positive impact and change in the lives of both the university student tutors and the inmates they mentor. It provides prisoners with better opportunities once they are released, and the tutors with a renewed appreciation of the power of education.

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The Radical Humaneness of Norway's Halden Prison

Jessica Benko

March 26, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Norway, Halden

The goal of the Norwegian penal system is to get inmates out of it. The country's Halden prison offers humane treatment, trying to help inmates as much as possible rather than punish them.

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Jail program, a first in NC, includes classes behind bars

Greg Barnes

August 31, 2014 |

Fayetteville Observer |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Concord, North Carolina

Cabarrus County’s Project Re-entry gives those experiencing incarceration a chance at an education and self-reflection. The program has shown such success that it is being expanded to other detention centers in the county. Those who take part are able to take classes – all taught by volunteers – like literacy and religious studies, or choose to enroll in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

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Responses To Gang Violence: 11:45

Allison Frost

July 22, 2014 |

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Multnomah County, Oregon, experienced a surge of gang activity between 2013 and 2014. To curtail crime and violence, a group of pastors intervened with the 11:45 program. The program provides services and mentorship to gang-involved youth in the criminal justice system through outreach programs.

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