criminal-justice
Philly Summit addresses link between gun violence and environment
The summit comes as research shows how major improvements in community habitat, living conditions and natural environment reduces violence substantially.
The 3 factors behind the perfect storm of 2020’s homicide spike | Opinion
More guns, pandemic stress and a police legitimacy crisis created perfect conditions for the 30% leap in homicides.
Pa.’s long-serving prisons chief, John E. Wetzel, is leaving, Wolf admin says
Wetzel, whose work to reform the state's sprawling and expensive prison system, won him plaudits, told the Capital-Star that he plans to open a criminal justice nonprofit in February.
Controversial Allegheny County Jail contractor has criminal history, served time in U.K.
The contractor, Joseph Garcia, also once warned of a race war against correctional officers
Hunger strike ends at Pa. prison; organizers proclaim it a success
The hunger strike by more than 20 incarcerated men at State Correctional Institution-Phoenix in Montgomery County over prolonged solitary confinement is now over.
Alle. Co. DA Zappala faces rising criticism over reports he retaliated against Black attorney
Ed Gainey, the Democratic nominee for Pittsburgh mayor, has joined the chorus of voices calling for an investigation into Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.
A just verdict is not justice, it’s accountability — and we need more | Opinion
The United States government, however, apparently cannot tell you exactly how many lives have been lost at the hands of law enforcement.
Pgh cops seek hundreds of sponge rounds, smoke grenades, and other less-lethal weapons
This request for less-lethal weapons stock comes as the Pittsburgh Police department is preparing for potential unrest from the conclusion of the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
The Pa. Corrections Department shouldn’t renew its contract with Smart Communications. This is why | Opinion
The DOC could institute less draconian measures that would prevent the introduction of drugs into prisons while allowing incarcerated people to receive their mail.
Derek Chauvin trial: 3 questions America needs to ask about seeking racial justice in a court of law | Opinion
There is a difference between enforcing the law and being the law. The world is now witnessing another in a long history of struggles for racial justice in which this distinction may be ignored.
Pa. cops made more than 20K marijuana arrests during the pandemic | Analysis
2020 had the third most adult marijuana-related arrests in Pennsylvania of any year since 2009.
Pa. House passes bill upping penalty for spitting on cops; civil libertarians raise concerns
The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union opposed the legislation, arguing the bill “needlessly expand[ed] the crimes code.”