Dec 31 Illinois governor clears thousands of marijuana convictions By Kathleen Foody, Associated Press Illinois' governor granted more than 11,000 pardons for low-level marijuana convictions on Tuesday, describing the step as a first wave of thousands of such expungements anticipated under the state's new marijuana legalization law. Continue reading
Nov 05 Watch 6:31 Oklahoma’s governor on 2nd chances and reducing mass incarceration In Oklahoma, 462 people left prison Monday in the largest single-day commutation in U.S. history. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt had signed off on their release based on the recommendation of the state’s Pardon and Parole Board. Oklahoma has the nation’s… Continue watching
Oct 25 WATCH: Trump takes victory lap on criminal justice reform in South Carolina By Kevin Freking, Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Calling it the "most significant criminal justice reform in many generations," President Donald Trump revisited a signature bipartisan legislative achievement Friday at a South Carolina criminal justice conference. Continue reading
Oct 17 NYC to close Rikers Island jail complex by 2026 By Associated Press New York City lawmakers have approved a plan to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and replace it with four smaller jails. Continue reading
Jul 30 Watch 7:07 In Dallas, how art and culinary skills are helping juvenile offenders stay out of jail By John Yang In Dallas, two programs aim to shift the conversation around juvenile justice -- one by bringing young people into the kitchen, and the other by using art to address trauma. Creative Solutions and Cafe Momentum offer juvenile offenders the chance… Continue watching
Jul 26 Watch 3:19 How 2020 Democrats are challenging each other’s policy records Issues of criminal justice reform and systemic racism dominated the 2020 Democratic campaign conversation over the past week. Candidates appeared at the NAACP convention in Detroit to pitch related policy proposals -- and several demonstrated an increasing willingness to go… Continue watching
Jul 22 3 innovative ways former inmates are getting help to restart their lives By Rebecca Oh Most people who are released from prison are arrested again, but nonprofits are trying to combat that by helping former inmates get back on their feet. Continue reading
Jan 07 Clemency granted to Tennessee woman sentenced to life at age 16 By Kimberlee Kruesi, Associated Press Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted clemency to Cyntoia Brown, who had been serving a life sentence but who will be released on parole on Aug. 7 — exactly 15 years from the date she was first arrested. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 5:23 How criminal justice overhaul will affect life for inmates By Yamiche Alcindor President Trump has signed a landmark criminal justice bill. The First Step Act increases judges' discretion on sentencing low-level offenders, provides incentives for prison rehabilitation programs and requires inmates to be located within 500 miles of family. As Yamiche Alcindor… Continue watching
Dec 20 House passes major criminal justice overhaul By Associated Press The bill passed 358-36 and now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. He had urged lawmakers to support it, saying the bill would provide hope and a second chance to those who earn it. Continue reading