Civil Society Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Civil Society Issues

Many issues that are primary drivers of mass incarceration cannot be remedied through government solutions alone. Issues such as broken families and mental health, both forever altered by over criminalization, cannot be simply be repaired through legislation. Civil Society has the unique capability to address certain social issues that government cannot, or to address them more effectively than government can. This section also addresses issues in which over-policing attempts to fix issues that should be handled through the community.

Boston Globe Accused of 'Willie Horton'-Style Fearmongering

“The 19 signatories are advocating for the practice of two interrelated standards: the inclusion of fact-based context in all local journalism and a heightened sensitivity to the role that local media plays in the politics of criminal justice policies. They say the Globe practiced neither in its recent article. Rather than scrutinizing the statements made by Leary and other critics of Rollins, the university professors say the paper acted as a bullhorn for them.“

The Appeal

July 12, 2019

Media CoveragePhillip ReevesJuly 12, 2019The Appeal, Boston Globe, Rachael RollinsComment

Media Frame: A 'War on Cops' Narrative without Evidence

“But the article by Emily Shapiro and the social posts promoting it made a much larger—and unsubstantiated—claim: that these unrelated killings are part of a national “trend” of violence directed toward the police. A tweet by ABC News sharing the article stated: “Four police officers fatally shot in the U.S. this week—part of what one expert calls a disturbing ‘multi-year’ trend of violence toward police.”“

The Appeal

July 2, 2019

Media CoveragePhillip ReevesJuly 2, 2019The AppealComment

The Hardships and Rewards of Making Music in Prison

“In the early years of his time at Hunt, Cook, a vocalist and percussionist, and about five other musicians formed one of the preeminent prison bands, which was never identified by a specific name, only by genre: reggae. Beginning in 2009, they performed annually at the prison’s Fourth of July celebration for nearly 2,000 inmates, some of whom might never hear a live music performance outside of a prison yard again. Cook’s specialty was Bob Marley covers. “Music is needed when you have 22 years hanging over your head,” Cook says. “It was a godsend for me. In the band room, we became like brothers.”“

Topic Magazine

June 30, 2019

Access to Outside World, Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesJune 30, 2019Topic Magazine, LouisianaComment

The Next Big Celebrity Chef? This Former Gang Member

“The traditional Mexican entree that Ruiz deployed to beat Bobby Flay, chiles en nogada, is a dish from the 1800s that combines the Mexican flag’s colors — red, white and green. “To be able to beat him, kind of at his own game, at his own style of cooking, Southwestern Mexican, and for it to be a unanimous decision on the judges’ part, blew me away,” Ruiz says. Since the show aired in March, Ruiz has been inundated with offers. “I didn’t know what to do,” Ruiz says. “I wanted to leave. I wanted to [head for] the mountains and hide for 30 days. I never thought this was going to happen.”“

Ozy

June 28, 2019

Civil Society Solutions, EmploymentPhillip ReevesJune 28, 2019OzyComment

Media Frame: Time to Ban Ride-Along Police TV

“Mass movements to reform the police, led most notably by Black Lives Matter, are beginning to question our culture’s default position of police deference. Why not extend that same scrutiny to police ride-along shows, which interfere in legal cases with far-reaching consequences, threaten lives, and overwhelmingly target poor people and people of color? In fact, local lawmakers everywhere should go further and ban these shows outright.“

The Appeal

June 24, 2019

Media CoveragePhillip ReevesJune 24, 2019The Appeal, CopsComment

T.I., the Central Park Five, and Ebenezer Baptist Church Kick Off Summit to End Mass Incarceration

“Anyone who thinks the black church is a bygone relic with no relevance to the social justice struggles of today may need to reassess. ‘The church’ is obviously not a monolith and is taking on everything from mental illness and HIV/AIDS to voter suppression and mass incarceration. In that vein, Rev. Raphael Warnock and the historic Ebenezer Baptist, Martin Luther King Jr.’s home church, are kicking off a multi-faith-based movement that seeks to address the manmade storm that has seen millions of black men, women, and children jailed and placed under penal jurisdiction.”

The Root

June 16, 2019

The ChurchPhillip ReevesJune 16, 2019The Root, Ebenezer Baptist Church, GeorgiaComment

D.C. should expand voting rights to its incarcerated citizens

“I and other commissioners are focused on expanding rights for every justice-involved District resident. Reentry is a difficult process, but residents who have strong connections to the community are likely to be successful. I should know. I am one of them.“

Washington Post

June 14, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesJune 14, 2019Washington Post, Washington DCComment

For Bail Reform to Work Invest in Communities, Not Prosecutors

“New York City has a tremendous opportunity to reinvest in communities to help them thrive and to make them safer. To get there, we must expand the scope of this discussion and address the root causes of the social problems that we have tried and failed to address through mass incarceration, policing, and criminalization while stigmatizing generations of our fellow New Yorkers. “

Gotham Gazette

June 12, 2019

Bail Reform, Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesJune 12, 2019Gotham Gazette, New York CityComment

In Just Two States, All Prisoners Can Vote. Here's Why Few Do.

“Yet the barriers to voting, both external and internal, remain high. Incarcerated people are restricted from using the Internet and often cut off from news in the places they used to live. They are not allowed to campaign for candidates, display posters or show other signs of political partisanship.“

The Marshall Project

June 11, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesJune 11, 2019The Marshall Project, Maine, VermontComment

Ohio Restaurateur Founds Hot Chicken Takeover, Hires Ex-Cons

“In 2013, Joe DeLoss founded Hot Chicken Takeover in Columbus, Ohio. HCT is a “Nashville Hot Chicken” restaurant that has nearly 50 employees, 70% of whom have had trouble finding work due to criminal records or other issues. DeLoss has also worked to establish other programs to help such people, such as food service training and financial aid programs. Since then, two other HCT locations have opened in Columbus.“

Prison Legal News

June 5, 2019

EmploymentPhillip ReevesJune 5, 2019Prison Legal News, OhioComment

Felons from D.C. could be able to vote from prison under proposed bill

“White’s bill would thrust the District into the vanguard of the felon enfranchisement movement. Bills to eliminate lifetime voting bans for felons and to restore voting rights to those on parole or probation have won bipartisan support in statehouses and at the ballot box. But allowing people to vote while serving time remains controversial.“

Washington Post

June 3, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesJune 3, 2019Washington Post, Washington DCComment

Prison Films and the Idea of Two Worlds

“Prisons have been one of the key settings for movies ever since the earliest days of cinema. Among the first prison films is Edwin Porter’s 1901 short film Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison. Its primitive structure emphasizes the spectacular nature of many prison films: starting with two panoramic views of the exterior of Auburn Prison, the camera then moves to the interior, closer to the prisoners, guards, and narrative action. “

The Brooklyn Rail

June 2, 2019

Civil Society Solutions, PersonalismPhillip ReevesJune 2, 2019The Brooklyn RailComment

Top Foundations Are Keen to Smooth Reentry for Incarcerated People. Here’s What They’re Learning.

“Employment, housing and transportation have traditionally been identified as three pillars necessary for successful reentry into society for incarcerated individuals. A recently released study, backed by nationally known funders, has identified a fourth: education. “

Inside Philanthropy

May 31, 2019

Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesMay 31, 2019Inside PhilanthropyComment

Words Matter In Criminal Justice Reform

“If criminal justice officials want to find ways to send fewer people to jail and prison, and to ultimately have fewer people incarcerated, then they might well consider removing the term from all aspects of the criminal justice system. The names of courtrooms, prosecutorial units, training protocols and beyond should not presuppose that everyone who touches the system will be sent to jail or prison. Words matter. It is time we stop ‘alternatives to incarceration’ and start’“responsive sentencing’.“

Next City

May 31, 2019

PersonalismPhillip ReevesMay 31, 2019Next CityComment

Who is Florida Man?

“But Florida has no monopoly on strange events, drug addiction, or mental illness, the lifeblood of the form. What it does have is strong public records laws that make obtaining mugshots and arrest reports easier than in many other states (including California and New York, which aren’t known for their lack of eccentricity, either).“

Columbia Journalism Review

May 30, 2019

PersonalismPhillip ReevesMay 30, 2019Columbia Journalism Review, Florida, Florida ManComment

No Background Check, Drug Test or Credit Check. You’re Hired!

“He cited job interviews as one example. ‘The candidate may not be so great at making eye contact and smiling. Does that mean he can’t stack brownies onto a pallet?’“

New York Times

May 29, 2019

EmploymentPhillip ReevesMay 29, 2019New York Times, Greyston Bakery, YonkersComment

The Pathological Politics of Criminal Justice

“Rachel Barkow contends criminal justice policy is driven primarily by ‘politicized gut instincts’—a combination of fearmongering appeals to voters’ worst impulses and an aversion to evidence of what actually works. “

Center for Court Innovation: New Thinking Podcast

May 29, 2019

Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesMay 29, 2019Rachel Barkow, Center for Court Innovation, New Thinking PodcastComment

A host of celebrities speak out on criminal justice reform

“Kim Kardashian West isn’t the only celebrity speaking out for prison reform. It’s a topic that was also very important to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle, and to Common, Kevin Hart and a host of others who consider the criminal justice system often unfair and dehumanizing. “

Philadelphia Tribune

May 26, 2019

Civil Society SolutionsPhillip ReevesMay 26, 2019Philadelphia TribuneComment

Nevada passes bill to automatically restore felons' voting rights upon release from prison

“The Nevada Legislature on Wednesday passed Assembly Bill 431, which would immediately allow ex-felons to vote, including those convicted in another state. The bill also allows people convicted of a crime, but not imprisoned, to cast a ballot. The measure applies retroactively to previously released offenders. “

Reno Gazette Journal

May 23, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesMay 23, 2019Reno Gazette Journal, NevadaComment

We found 85,000 cops who’ve been investigated for misconduct. Now you can read their records.

“Obtained from thousands of state agencies, prosecutors, police departments and sheriffs, the records detail at least 200,000 incidents of alleged misconduct, much of it previously unreported. The records obtained include more than 110,000 internal affairs investigations by hundreds of individual departments and more than 30,000 officers who were decertified by 44 state oversight agencies. “

USA Today

May 23, 2019

Police-Community TrustPhillip ReevesMay 23, 2019USA TodayComment