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Two Rural Counties Take Diverting Paths to Jail Reform

Laine Kaplan-Levenson

September 16, 2019 |

70 Million |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Alamosa, Colorado

Two southern Colorado counties responded differently when drug abuse, poverty, and mental illness contributed to overcrowding in their old, decrepit jails. Pueblo County's sheriff has gone to voters three times seeking approval of a near-doubling of his jail's capacity. Alamosa County's sheriff did the same, and succeeded in a renovation that nearly doubled capacity. But those extra cells turned out to be unnecessary because that county's criminal justice and community agencies collaborated on jail alternatives, significantly reducing how many people get jailed.

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New York providers credit ‘aftercare' for helping youths transition home

Allison Dikanovic

September 16, 2019 |

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York has taken great strides in reforming their juvenile justice system, and key to that has been ensuring that those in the system receive ongoing support once they return to their communities. Organizations like Arches work with probation officers to provide young people with therapy and mentors – whose lives have been similar to their mentees – in order to provide the needed support and guidance. Such programs have shown lowered recidivism rates and have garnered the attention of officials in Milwaukee who are seeking to makeover their system.

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When a Restraining Order Fails, a GPS Tracker Can Save Lives

Misha Valencia

July 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Using GPS tracking on repeat offenders of domestic violence has shown to decrease repeat instances of such abuse. Of the 23 states that use such devices, those that use them in ankle bracelet form have the ability to not only monitor locations, but alert officials and victims when the offender leaves the designated boundaries. While the system has shown demonstrative success, some people voice opposition to such technology, citing privacy concerns.

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Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

Casey Leins

May 03, 2019 |

U.S. News & World Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

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'Nobody was born bad'

Allison Shirk Collins

March 01, 2019 |

Chattanooga Times Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga’s Violence Reduction Initiatives used a focused deterrence strategy to reduce crime. The initiative has led to a decrease in gang-involved homicides and shootings, working with individuals on probation to provide them with the social services they need to stop them from re-entering a life of crime. A core part of this method is to show communities that they’re not forgotten and that they’re cared for, and yet securing funding and consistent support for such programming has been challenging.

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Justice by the Numbers: Meet the Statistician Trying to Fix Bias in Criminal Justice Algorithms

Katia Savchuk

February 01, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Algorithm-based tools are more frequently being used by courts to determine the risk of an alleged offender so judges can better determine whether the person should be detained or not before trial. Although this methodology has shown promise, there are serious limitations when there is not enough data or biased data. One non-profit is working to change this by reevaluating the limitations and advocating for the release of individuals being unjustly detained.

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Jail or Bail? There's a New Option

Ted Alcorn

February 01, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Between the opposite extremes of jailing too many people unnecessarily before trial or releasing too many unsupervised, New York City judges in 2016 began to use a "supervised release" option. In the first three years, the program's 11,000 defendants showed up for court dates 89% of the time while 8% were rearrested for new felony crimes. The program, which requires people check in regularly with a case manager, helped reduce the jail population by more than a third. The approach tries to balance the needs of public safety with the reality that even a short jail stay carries its own social harms.

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How One County Became a Lab for California's Prison Reform

Abbie Vansickle Manuel Villa

December 21, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

After San Joaquin County adopted a slew of criminal justice reforms, crime dropped by 20 percent, the lowest number in a decade. One of the things that was implemented were speciality courts aimed at decreasing arrest time and helping “former prisoners find jobs, housing and treatment for mental health and addiction problems.” Other measures include ending cash bail and racial bias training. “Crime has always been issue No. 1, but the narrative in this city is one about being a second chance city.”

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Video screening cuts jail time, reduces court 'no shows'

Mike Gallagher

November 25, 2018 |

Albuquerque Journal |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Bernadillo County people who are arrested for nonviolent crimes have the chance of being released, without having to serve jail time. They are screened through video by an intake officer who gauges the likelihood of them showing up in court. “We know from national studies that releasing low-level, non-violent offenders promptly reduces recidivism.” Data shows it works, and an overwhelming majority, 90 percent, of defendants showed up in court.

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‘People helping people': North Dakota's addiction fix

Andrew Graham

November 15, 2018 |

WyoFile |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Devils Lake, North Dakota

In rural North Dakota where clinical treatment centers are hard to find, a program called Free Through Recovery "seeks to drive down North Dakota’s prison rates by creating networks of sobriety and support around people on probation and parole." Although local law enforcement claims the program is not an alternative to incarceration, in the short time it has been in operation, it has served over 550 people with many participants securing both housing and work opportunities.

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