criminal-justice-reform

Philly to pay record settlement for police misconduct in 2020 protests

BY: - March 21, 2023

Mayor Jim Kenney said the pain and trauma caused by a legacy of systemic racism and police brutality against Black and brown Philadelphians is immeasurable.

COMMENTARY

Pennsylvania must fulfill the constitutional guarantee of adequate representation | Opinion

BY: - March 16, 2023

Pa. is one of only two states in the nation that provide essentially no funding for its public defenders.

PRISON CALLS ART

N.J. lawmakers propose eliminating the cost of calls for incarcerated people

BY: - February 27, 2023

Reformers have long called on policymakers to reduce the cost of communications in correctional facilities.

Jimmy Dee Stout had served about half of his 15-year sentence for a drug conviction when he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer last year. He learned about compassionate release from another prisoner, and was released last October with help from Families Against Mandatory Minimums. Stout now lives with his brother in Round Rock, Texas. (JULIA ROBINSON FOR KHN)

A law was meant to free sick or aging inmates. Instead, some are left to die in prison

BY: - February 27, 2023

Federal data shows judges rejected more than 80% of compassionate release requests filed from October 2019 through September 2022.

COMMENTARY
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, joined by members of his administration and business leaders, signed an executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, to establish the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity. (Capital-Star photo by Cassie Miller)

Pa. Gov. Shapiro evolves, seeks to abolish fallible and irreversible death penalty | Michael Coard

BY: - February 24, 2023

Shapiro's view on capital punishment has evolved, and a columnist's view of him has too. Here's why.

COMMENTARY

Pa. shouldn’t wait any longer to abolish the death penalty | Friday Morning Coffee

BY: - February 17, 2023

It's racist, biased, and brutalizes all of us. End it.

Pa. House bill would make it easier for formerly incarcerated to vote | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - February 14, 2023

'This is common sense legislation designed to ensure that all eligible voters can participate in our elections,' Rep. Joe Webster said.

COMMENTARY
POLICE PROTEST ART

What Congress can — and can’t — do about fixing local policing | Opinion

BY: - February 1, 2023

Tyre Nichols' death has prompted renewed calls for reform. The real change happens at the state and local level.

Bipartisan Senate bill would change how Pa. charges children as adults | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - January 24, 2023

A judge would have to sign off before a juvenile case is moved to to adult court.

COMMENTARY

Pa.’s criminal legal system increases overdose deaths and makes recovery impossible | Opinion

BY: - January 9, 2023

By Sean Fogler and Carla Sofronski In 2021, over 5,300 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to a preventable drug overdose. Pennsylvania policy makers and local government officials have led the charge in fueling this historic public health crisis. While there are many factors contributing to this horrific toll, Pennsylvania’s criminal legal system stands alone in its […]

COMMENTARY

Virginia abolished biased, botched executions; more states should follow suit | Opinion

BY: - January 5, 2023

The imposition of a death sentence gives a false impression that justice is being served.

Shakira and Jeffrey Johnson created the Johnson-Shaw Foundation to help people reintegrate into society after leaving jail (Herald-Standard photo).

Johnson-Shaw Foundation looks to help people re-enter society after prison | Helping the Helpers

BY: - December 20, 2022

'I would like people to understand the perspective that people re-entering (society) really do need guidance and assistance,' Shakira Johnson said.