Mar 30 Obama shortens prison sentences for 61 drug offenders By Josh Lederman, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama commuted the prison sentences of 61 drug offenders on Wednesday including more than a third serving life sentences, working to give new energy to calls for overhauling the U.S. criminal justice system. Continue reading
Feb 02 Watch 6:25 Does federal review lead to real police department reform? By PBS News Hour The Justice Department plans to review the San Francisco Police Department after a fatal shooting of an African-American man in January. While that city requested the review, across the nation, there have been many others not undertaken voluntarily. Sarah Childress… Continue watching
Jan 26 Task force recommends how to cut U.S. prisoner count by 60,000 By Eric Tucker, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Justice Department should limit the types of cases it brings and more nonviolent criminals should be steered toward probation and away from prison, according to task force recommendations designed to cut the federal inmate count and save… Continue reading
Jan 26 Obama bans solitary confinement for juveniles in fed prisons By Kathleen Hennessey, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said Monday he will ban the use of solitary confinement for juvenile and low-level offenders in federal prisons, citing the potential for "devastating, lasting psychological consequences" from the use of the isolation as punishment. Continue reading
Jan 25 Justices extend bar on automatic life terms for teenagers By Mark Sherman, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday that people serving life terms for murders they committed as teenagers must have a chance to seek their freedom, a decision that could affect more than 1,000 inmates. Continue reading
Nov 02 Touring rehab, Obama calls for 2nd chances after prison By Josh Lederman and Jill Colvin, Associated Press NEWARK, N.J. -- President Barack Obama toured a drug rehab and met with former inmates Monday in the rough-and-tumble city of Newark, calling on the nation to ensure those regaining their freedom get a second chance instead of a return… Continue reading
Oct 28 Photos: Four women convicted of murder begin to move on after prison By Corinne Segal People are more than their worst act. That’s the founding principle for an ongoing photography project by Sara Bennett, a former attorney documenting the stories of four convicted murderers working to rebuild their lives. Bennett worked as a criminal defense… Continue reading
Oct 27 7 percent of U.S. kids have had a parent in jail By Colleen Shalby More than 5 million U.S. children have had a parent in jail. That’s roughly seven percent of the nation’s kids 17 and under, or one in 14. Continue reading
Oct 22 Senate bill could cut nonviolent drug offenders’ sentences By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Nonviolent drug offenders could be eligible for shorter prison sentences under legislation approved by a Senate panel Thursday, as Congress took initial steps to change the nation's criminal justice system. Continue reading
Oct 22 Twitter Chat: Addressing criminal justice reform in the U.S. By Jaclyn Diaz There are more than 2.2 million Americans living behind bars today. When released, two-thirds of prisoners are re-incarcerated within three years. What is the role of the U.S. criminal justice system? Is it simply punish or to reform? Join NewsHour… Continue reading