California’s Jails Are in a Deadly Crisis. Here’s How Experts Suggest Fixing Them.
An investigation by McClatchy and ProPublica found unchecked violence and inhumane conditions in county jails, but the state’s oversight agency has no power to stop it. Experts say that needs to change.
Chicago Is Making the Case for Releasing Pregnant Inmates
Women in jail typically have limited prenatal support and return to custody soon after giving birth. One program is testing a different approach.
Restore Pell Grant Eligibility to Incarcerated Students
COMMENTARY | The National District Attorneys Association, the largest group representing prosecutors, supports federal grant funding for prisoners to get college degrees.
The Private Option
One company has become the biggest provider of jail health care. Sheriffs are worried: “If you’re the only dance in town, you can pretty much call your own shots.”
Jeffrey Epstein’s Death Highlights Inmate Suicide Problem
At least 10 states have new policies to prevent suicides in jails and prisons.
Local Officials Want Feds to Scrap Policy Blocking People in Jail From Medicaid
A federal law can lead to breaks in health care benefits for those awaiting trial. Counties and sheriffs plan to lobby for this to be changed.
Alabama Lawmakers Pass Chemical Castration Mandate for Sex Offenders
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Court OKs eminent domain for pipeline in Iowa … Nebraska governor vetoes Census commission … Denver mayor’s race decided in run-off.
Juvenile Justice Reform Sets Us On a Path to End Youth Homelessness
COMMENTARY | In Washington state, thousands of young people are locked up annually for “status offenses” and find themselves homeless when leaving detention. A new law seeks to change that.
California Jails Struggle with Increased Violence
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | A Connecticut legal battle over regulation of pregnancy centers ... A county in Illinois started a prescription medication pickup program … North and South Carolina teachers plan another strike.
Texas Can Keep Secret Execution Drug Supplier, Court Rules
The Texas Supreme Court found that disclosing where the state has obtained the drugs "would create a substantial threat of physical harm" to the companies.
Justice Department Says Alabama Prisons Plagued by Violence
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Mississippi city to stop jailing people unable to pay fines … Michael Brown’s mother loses council race in Ferguson, Missouri … New Mexico bans coyote-killing contests.
Death Penalty Repeal Stalls in Colorado
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Chicago elects a new mayor ... Keeping public comments alive at a Nebraska county board ... Disaster relief disagreements stall bill.
Expunging Criminal Records Offers Clear Benefits—But Few People Take Advantage
New research finds that automatic expungement of nonviolent criminal records could be a boon for eligible offenders, but few apply when the process is complicated.
How Denver Is Breaking the Homelessness-Jail Cycle
COMMENTARY | The Urban Institute examines the progress of Denver's permanent supportive housing program, which is paid for through a social impact bond.
Death Penalty Opponents Gain Unlikely Allies: Republicans
GOP lawmakers in at least eight states join fight against capital punishment.
Is It Cruel and Unusual to Execute a Man With Dementia?
ANALYSIS | Vernon Madison has no memory of murdering a police officer.
Reworking Probation as Part of Criminal Justice Reform
As states reduce prison sentences and try to limit the number of people incarcerated, governors say they also must drill down into the next steps needed to help people remake their lives.
Teachers Union Raises Red Flags Over Pension Investments in Private Prisons
The American Federation of Teachers characterizes the corrections sector as problematic territory for retirement funds.
Counting Prison Inmates Differently Could Shift Political Power to Cities
Most states count prisoners as residents of the places where they are incarcerated. But some are shifting to counting them as parts of their home communities.
Jails May Not Be Able to Hold Juveniles Pretrial Much Longer
Local governments would have three years to find space for youths elsewhere, space a recent UCLA Law School report argues already exists.
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