Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 872 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • Grassroots Organizations Are Leading the Way on Criminal Justice Reform

    August 14, 2018 |

    Pacific Standard |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

    Local groups in cities like St. Louis and New York are organizing to reform the criminal justice system, pushing for policies that reinstate voting rights for formerly incarcerated people, changing punishments for non-violent crimes, and in some cases, eliminating jails altogether. The local know-how and pressure is creating results, and that, along with the funding and assistance that national organizations can bring, is a model for how advocates for criminal justice reform can change the system.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • How tough-on-crime Texas lowered its prison population and what Oklahoma can learn from it

    August 12, 2018 |

    The Oklahoman |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Texas

    In 2007, Texas prisons were near capacity and half a billion dollars was needed to build three new prisons. Instead, the state became a model for conservative-led criminal sentencing reform by changing a host of laws to send many fewer people to prison in the first place. By spending half of the savings on drug and alcohol treatment, among other services, the state focused on solving people's underlying problems rather than always punishing behavior after the fact.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Parenting From Prison, Inside Out

    August 09, 2018 |

    Making Contact |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Concord, New Hampshire

    Two programs called FamilyWorks and the Storybook Program aim to improve the relationship between those who are incarcerated and their families. FamilyWorks conducts parenting classes and other education for inmates who may not know how to build a relationship with their children while in prison. Storybook offers inmates the chance to record themselves reading books to send along to their children. Inmates say that both programs taught them a lot and that they are better people for it.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Despite spike in shootings, a Chicago community gets a handle on violence

    August 08, 2018 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Multi-Media |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

    Chicago has seen a decline in violence, and one neighborhood in particular has led the way, nearly halving its shootings and homicides. Police in Englewood have changed how they work with the community and where they send officers, focusing on the places and people experiencing the most violence, informed by data and surveillance systems. Community organizations are also providing job training, services and counseling to those most likely to be caught up in the violence.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • How Can America Reduce Mass Incarceration?

    August 06, 2018 |

    NPR |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

    A community court program in Newark, New Jersey provides alternative sentencing options for low-level offenders rather than jail or release that include getting help for mental health issues and addiction. It's part of a multi-state effort by the Center for Court Innovation to address that high rates of incarceration in the U.S. by addressing the criminalization of behaviors that are usually driven by other underlying factors such poverty, addiction and homelessness.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • An innovative approach to criminal justice reform: Put black women in charge

    August 03, 2018 |

    The Washington Post |

    Multi-Media |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, South Fulton, Georgia

    South Fulton is the only city in the U.S. to put black women in charge of its criminal justice system—from the judge, to the prosecutor, to the public defender. “The result: A focus on community policing, pretrial diversion programs and assigning public defenders to all cases.” Ultimately, the aim is to divert black people from entering the prison pipeline, and establishing a model that can be replicated in other cities.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Expungement fairs build regional momentum while helping locals move past criminal backgrounds

    August 01, 2018 |

    Concentrate |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

    Michigan Works! Southeast is an organization that, among other things, is helping Michigan residents with criminal records get those records expunged in order to increase their job opportunities in the future. By simplifying this process, participants save money and time, making these fairs a more accessible option than using a lawyer. So far, two expungement fairs have been held that have attracted about 50 people, but there is talk of expanding to a statewide program.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Philanthropic horticulturists and other prison community leaders

    August 01, 2018 |

    Alaska Public Media |

    Multi-Media |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

    At Spring Creek Correctional Center, profits from the prison store are shared among seven prison clubs. The clubs operate like nonprofits, bringing educational opportunities, music, plants, and more to inmates and donating extra funds to organizations on the outside. The system improves quality of life and offers leadership opportunities.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • North Dakota Prison Officials Think Outside The Box To Revamp Solitary Confinement

    July 31, 2018 |

    NPR |

    Radio |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, North Dakota

    Prison officials in North Dakota have revamped solitary confinement, inspired in part by Norway's system, which focuses on “punishment that works.” There is much less focus on using isolation to punish small infractions and more emphasis on mental health and helping inmates learn new skills to change behavior. The shift has reduced tensions between guards and prisoners, fostering better relationships and less disruptive behavior and suicide attempts by inmates.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Yoga, herbs and sunshine: New Zealand opens 'humane' jail for most violent inmates

    July 29, 2018 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: New Zealand, Auckland

    New Zealand is opening a new prison for its most dangerous inmates, but it will feature more space and holistic therapies in the vein of prisons in Scandinavia, Belgium and Germany. The majority of people in New Zealand's prisons have a mental illness or addiction diagnosis and more than half are Maori. The new facility will focus on helping people eventually reintegrate back into the community and officials hope this will curtail the steadily rising incarceration rates in the country.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Go to All Solutions in Focus