Pennsylvania — Social and Economic Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Unlikely supporters of ending the death penalty in Pa. and beyond? Prosecutors. | Opinion

“Against this backdrop, elected prosecutors are increasingly speaking out against the death penalty — from State Attorney Aramis Ayala in Orlando to District Attorney Dan Satterberg in Seattle to Larry Krasner in Philadelphia. And while the Pennsylvania Supreme Court failed to embrace this reform, the 28 other states where this penalty remains in place can choose to begin the work of healing their communities by ending one of our nation’s ugliest legacies.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

October 7, 2019

Death RowPhillip ReevesOctober 7, 2019Philadelphia, Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, Larry KrasnerComment

The death penalty punishes PA’s corrections workers, too | Opinion

“The corrections profession learned long ago that working with death row prisoners causes trauma, and officers working on death row today are regularly monitored for mental health concerns. No officer is permitted to work there longer than two years, and most “tours of duty” on the row are much shorter. Although staff members leave the environment, psychological effects can persist for years.“

Penn Live

July 16, 2019

Death RowPhillip ReevesJuly 16, 2019Penn Live, PennsylvaniaComment

Philadelphia D.A. Larry Krasner Argues PA Death Penalty Is Unconstitutional

“"Where nearly three out of every four death sentences have been overturned—after years of litigation at significant taxpayer expense—there can be no confidence that capital punishment has been carefully reserved for the most culpable defendants, as our Constitution requires," the office wrote in its brief. "Where a majority of death sentenced defendants have been represented by poorly compensated, poorly supported court-appointed attorneys, there is a significant likelihood that capital punishment has not been reserved for the 'worst of the worst.'"“

Reason Magazine

July 15, 2019

Death RowPhillip ReevesJuly 15, 2019Reason Magazine, Larry Krasner, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaComment

A New Moral Panic Targets Moms

“‘We are making a moral judgment of the mom,’ Skenazy said. ‘We think that we’re making a scientific and clear-eyed judgment of the danger, but actually we are always judging the mom’.“

The Appeal

May 30, 2019

Parental Incarceration, Female IncarcerationPhillip ReevesMay 30, 2019The Appeal, PennsylvaniaComment

Prison Can Be a Place ‘Where People Learn,’ Governors Agree

“It was a far different philosophy from that expressed by many politicians at similar meetings in previous decades, when the emphasis was on putting more people behind bars—and not on training them for productive work when they were released.“

The Crime Report

February 25, 2019

EmploymentPhillip ReevesFebruary 25, 2019The Crime Report, Pennsylvania, Tom WolfComment

Pa.’s new Clean Slate Law means jail time is no longer a life sentence

“‘We really see this as a bill that’s going to help a lot of people become employed and hopefully lift people out of poverty,’ she said. ‘It’s a huge piece of the puzzle to help people access opportunities’ by opening doors for people who would otherwise be denied for employment, housing and government loans because of a criminal record, which is readily available online.“

Generocity

January 14, 2019

EmploymentPhillip ReevesJanuary 14, 2019Generocity, PennsylvaniaComment

The Financial Knowledge Inmates Need to Reenter Society

“We believe that there is a need for this kind of financial education within the penal system, and that this pilot program can be scaled to meet the needs of states, counties and municipalities across the country. We also believe this program is evidence that government can innovate and collaborate for the benefit of all citizens. After all, thousands of men and women are returning to their communities each year after being incarcerated, and we want to them to become independent and successful.“

Governing Institute

September 6, 2018

Economic Issues, Prison ProgramsPhillip ReevesSeptember 6, 2018Governing Institute, PennsylvaniaComment

Pa., N.J. suspend tens of thousands of driver's licenses a year for not paying court costs. Is that constitutional?

"Bailey is one of a number of local judges in Pennsylvania who are increasingly alarmed by what they consider a system that criminalizes poverty. 'I see people can’t pay fines, it makes me wonder: Can they afford to feed themselves?' Bailey said."

Philadelphia Inquirer

July 30, 2018

A Pennsylvania Man Survived an Overdose Only to Be Charge with Homicide

"'This is an outcome of a lot of pressure being put on police and prosecutors to ‘do something’ about the [overdose] crisis,' said Leo Beletsky, professor of law and health sciences at Northeastern University. 'At the same time, it’s indicative of the unchecked power of these institutions in pursuing interventions they think are going to be useful'."

The Appeal

July 24, 2018

Opioid Crisis, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Appeal, Pennsylvania

Excessive bail is unjust, even in a baby homicide case | Opinion

"Justice doesn’t require sympathy. You don’t need to feel for Jones. However, if you believe that excessive cash bail is unjust, you should advocate for Jones even though she might be found criminally responsible for the death of her baby. Justice and due process should not be limited to defendants in nonviolent cases or cases that don’t make our stomach turn."

Philadelphia Inquirer

July 23, 2018

Bail ReformAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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