State and Local Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

State and Local Issues

Because 90% of all prisoners in the United States are in state facilities, the work that states are doing to reduce their prison populations is crucial. Attempting to end mass incarceration necessitates realizing this is a situation requiring not one national solution, but fifty state solutions. Below are current state solutions that could be effectively modeled by other states for meaningful reform.

Lawmakers weigh sentencing changes as state's prison population soars

"Canyon County Prosecutor Bryan Taylor told state lawmakers Tuesday that no one goes to prison for a first-time drug possession charge, saying a more typical picture is an addict who runs up three, four or five convictions before authorities give up and incarcerate him. But then the lawmakers reviewed figures from Idaho’s prisons showing that currently, 1,245 state prisoners are behind bars for drug crimes alone, nearly half of them for possession; 51.3 percent of them are in for a first offense."

Idaho Press

July 10, 2018

Sentencing, State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Idaho Press, Canyon County, Idaho

This Red State Governor Is Giving Hope to People Sentenced to Die in Prison

"In his first six months in office, Edwards commuted 22 sentences out of 56 sent to him with positive recommendation from the state’s Board of Pardons. Sixteen of the offenders whose applications he granted were serving life without parole."

The Appeal

July 9, 2018

State Reforms, ParoleAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Appeal, Louisiana, Commutations

Don’t let fair-weather friends derail criminal justice reform [Opinion]

"To be sure, all of this may come to naught. Sessions could convince the president to veto a joint bill if it includes sentencing reform, and wary Republicans could desert en masse. But supporting sentencing reform, even if it’s doomed, means being on the right side of history. That’s worth something — especially in the Trump era."

Houston Chronicle

July 9, 2018

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Houston Chronicle, Jeff Sessions

'Wake-up call' — Idaho lawmaker proposes $500M for programs, not prisons

"If this doesn’t spark a serious discussion about criminal justice reform and the underlying problems that lead people to prison — poor investments in schools, healthcare and job training — I don’t know what will. If Idaho stays on this path, we’re going to be talking about building yet another prison ten years from now. The only difference is, it will cost a lot more than $500 million."

Idaho State Journal

July 2, 2018

State Reforms, Diversion ProgramsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Idaho State Journal, Idaho

Why Oklahoma Has The Highest Incarceration Rate In The U.S.

"Oklahoma has now overtaken Louisiana as the state with the highest incarceration rate in the country, according to data from the Prison Policy Initiative. Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with John Carl, a professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Oklahoma, about how the rate got so high and what kind of overhaul is in motion."

WBUR Oklahoma

July 2, 2018

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Oklahoma, WBUR Oklahoma

ACLU of Vermont Voter Guide - 2018 State's Attorney Elections

"In June 2018, the ACLU of Vermont sent each of the candidates for state's attorney a 20-question survey, inviting them to state their personal views on a range of criminal justice issues ahead of this year’s elections, including prosecutor transparency, police accountability, the opiate epidemic, mental health services, and racial disparities in Vermont’s criminal justice system."

ACLU Vermont

July 1, 2018

Prosecutors, State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018ACLU, Vermont

Criminal justice numbers tell story of success

"The report also showed fewer people are being sent back to prison after having their outside supervision revoked, and fewer first-time offenders are being sent away in the first place. And fewer are under probation or parole, which officials attribute to improved good behavior incentives and better monitoring due to reduced caseloads. Another finding is that the legal changes have reduced the average sentence for non-violent crimes."

The Advocate

June 30, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Advocate, Louisiana

What Makes Reentry Initiatives Successful at Reducing Recidivism

"Successful reentry initiatives are in the interest of inmates, correctional staff and the wider community. While prisons will always need to be disciplined, controlled environments, Hood believes it’s about striking a balance. From giving a prisoner a handshake to reinforce good behavior to working with the public on reentry initiatives, he hopes the correctional system will soon live up to its name."

In Public Safety

June 29, 2018

Personalism, State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018In Public Safety, Reentry

Governor Wolf Signs Clean Slate Bill, Calls for More Criminal Justice Reform

"This Clean Slate legislation allows for individuals to petition the courts for their records to be sealed if a person has been free from conviction for 10 years for an offense that resulted in a year or more in prison and has paid all court-ordered financial debts."

Pennsylvania Governor's Office

June 28, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Pennsylvania Governor's Office, Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Clean Slate Bill

Can It Be Murder If You Didn’t Kill Anyone?

"A distinctly American legal doctrine holds getaway drivers and lookouts as responsible for a death as the actual killer. California is having second thoughts."

The Marshall Project

June 27, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Marshall Project, California, Felony Murder Rule

National Center for State Courts and Measures for Justice Join Forces to Develop Court Data Standards

"In an important first step towards full data transparency, the new “National Court Open Data Standards Project” will facilitate and accelerate safe access to county-level court data."

Measures for Justice

June 26, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Measures for Justice, Virginia

Opponents of R.I. drug-sentencing bill plead for veto by Raimondo

"The bill in question — Kristen’s Law — would allow the possibility of a life sentence for anyone who sells, delivers or distributes an illegal drug that leads to a fatal overdose. The bill is named after Kristen Coutu, a 29-year old Cranston woman who died following an overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin in 2014. Coutu’s family has backed the bill."

Providence Journal

June 25, 2018

Opioid CrisisAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Providence Journal, Kristen's Law, Rhode Island

Study Shows Decline In Prison Population Doesn't Tell Full Story

"One seemingly good policy is rehabilitation certificates. When a court certifies a former prisoner as having been rehabilitated, it sends a signal to employers that this isn’t one of the scary ex-convicts they might have a picture of in their mind."

WKMS--Murray State

June 25, 2018

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018WKMS Murray State, Kentucky

What rises from the ashes of Pa's failed prison project? | Opinion

"I'm sure every Pennsylvania resident can easily come up with - right off the top - 10 better ways $400 million could've been spent. My list: schools, healthcare, roads and bridges, jobs, universal pre-k, tax cuts, victim services, diversionary programs, drug treatment, and ending hunger would be a good start."

Penn Live

June 25, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Penn Live, Pennsylvania

Cuomo The Merciless

"New York's Democratic governor has granted only a trickle of commutations, fewer than many of his Democratic and Republican predecessors."

The Appeal

June 20, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Appeal, Andrew Cuomo, Commutations

Florida's Prison Population Rose by 14 Percent From 2000 to 2015 Despite Reforms

"The report describes Florida as a perfectly baffling case: From 2000 to 2015, jail admissions dropped, the statewide jail population dropped, and the overall rate of prison admissions dropped by nearly a third — but the total number of inmates in state prisons still somehow increased."

Miami New Times

June 18, 2018

Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Miami New Times, Florida

Tulsa World editorial: Solutions are available for Oklahoma to shed No. 1 incarceration ranking

"Last year, the Bureau of Justice Statistics ranked Oklahoma second behind Louisiana. Due to prison reforms enacted in Louisiana, officials anticipated Oklahoma would become the incarceration leader. The new ranking became official earlier this month."

Tulsa World

June 17, 2018

Mass Incarceration, State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Tulsa World, Oklahoma

New court program would help veterans transition from warriors to civilians

"Those involved with the judicial system, from probation officers to public defenders, were seeing the same trend: Young men who had never been in trouble before suddenly were appearing in court."

Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

June 16, 2018

Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018Fredericksburg Free Lance Star, Virginia

Educate voters on Amendment 4 and restoring felons' rights

"Amendment 4 would automatically restore voting rights for all felons (excluding those convicted of murder and felony sex crimes) who have completed their sentence, including any probation and restitution. It needs 60 percent voter approval to pass. A new poll commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found just 40 percent of voters in favor and 17 percent opposed."

Tampa Bay Times

June 16, 2018

State ReformsPhillip ReevesJuly 31, 2018Amendment 4, Florida, Tampa Bay Times