Feb 05 Trump’s State of the Union guests include freed drug offender, bullied student By Darlene Superville, Associated Press Guests invited to the State of the Union typically put a face on policies the president will promote in the nationally televised address. Continue reading
Dec 21 WATCH: Trump signs criminal justice reform bill By Kevin Freking, Associated Press President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill at 11 a.m. ET today. Watch his remarks here. Continue reading
Dec 19 Trump says he’s eager to sign sweeping criminal justice bill By Kevin Freking, Associated Press The Senate passed a sweeping criminal justice bill Tuesday that addresses concerns that the nation's war on drugs had led to the imprisonment of too many Americans for non-violent crimes without adequately preparing them for their return to society. Continue reading
Dec 12 Watch 9:56 Sens. Grassley, Durbin on ‘smarter’ criminal law, bipartisanship The Senate is expected to take up criminal justice reform before year end. A proposed overhaul would lower mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, ban the shackling of pregnant prisoners and ensure inmates stay closer to family. Judy Woodruff talks… Continue watching
Nov 17 New black officers, court officials rethinking US policing By Jay Reeves, Associated Press In a state where conservative politicians typically preach about getting tough on crime, Jefferson County’s new sheriff ran and won on an alternative message. Continue reading
Nov 14 Watch 6:53 Is Trump’s criminal justice plan ‘rehabilitative and redemptive?’ President Trump has outlined a new bipartisan agreement on criminal justice reform. The plan ends the “three strikes” policy mandating life in prison for third-time drug offenders and adds incentives for low-risk inmates. Mark Holden, general counsel for Koch Industries,… Continue watching
Nov 14 Watch 6:22 Why Trump’s criminal justice reform plan could represent a ‘breakthrough’ President Trump has announced a criminal justice reform plan that would enact major changes to the nation’s sentencing laws -- and reduce prison terms for some inmates. NPR's Carrie Johnson joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why the new bipartisan agreement… Continue watching
May 30 Would you plead guilty? Share your story with the Trading Away Justice reporting project By John Yang You've been arrested and you have a choice: Take your chances in court, or plead guilty and go home with time served and a criminal record? Which do you choose?… Continue reading
Apr 15 Louisiana takes aim at Jim Crow-era jury law By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press Louisiana is one of only two states in the country allowing a non-unanimous jury to convict a defendant of a felony, and a Louisiana lawmaker says it is time for the Jim Crow-era practice to end. Continue reading
Apr 09 Watch 10:06 Giving vulnerable residents help before mental health issues land them in jail By PBS News Hour, Frank Carlson Each year, an estimated 2 million people suffering from mental illness are booked into county jails. In Kansas City, Missouri, like other places around the country, officials are looking for a better way to get those people the help they… Continue watching