criminal-justice
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.”
Fetterman justifies — but does not apologize for — chasing down and brandishing shotgun at Black jogger while Braddock mayor
His political future now clear, Democratic Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has addressed a controversial incident that occurred eight years ago when he was mayor of Braddock, Allegheny County. In Dec. 2013, Fetterman chased a Black jogger in his pickup truck after hearing what he thought were gunshots while playing outside with his son, according […]
Why a shootout between Black Panthers and law enforcement 50 years ago still matters today | Opinion
It's a reminder that criminalizing Black political activism while accommodating white protesters is still very much with us today.
Philly Police Commissioner Outlaw talks the good, bad, and ugly of her first year
"There’s almost like an expectation of perfection of me. There’s no perfect being. And just be asked something like that is — I don’t know. Pick one."
Philly community advocates, Black clergy weigh in on police Commish Outlaw’s first year
“Philadelphia has not put in the necessary resources to deal with violence on the community level — it just hasn’t,” one advocate said.