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Scrubbing The Past To Give Those With A Criminal Record A Second Chance

Eric Westervelt Barbara Brosher

February 19, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Indiana

Indiana's Second Chance law was passed in 2013 and allows people to petition to remove their misdemeanor convictions and arrests from public view. In Marion County alone, more than 11,500 people have visited the full-time paralegal processing all requests since legislators implemented the law. Many of those visitors speak with relief about the newfound opportunities that have come their way since the dismantling of that barrier. This is part of a growing movement in the US to reimagine the existing criminal justice system that creates far more problems than it solves.

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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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Building the Prison-to-School Pipeline in California

Zoe Sullivan

January 28, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

Providing those experiencing incarceration with educational services has shown to reduce recidivism by 28%. While many prisons offer GED or higher education classes, the opportunities are still hard to come by consistently, so organizations like Underground Scholars help recruit individuals after prison to colleges. Looking forward, those pushing for criminal justice reform hope to overturn a 1994 legislation that banned incarcerated individuals from being eligible for Pell Grants, which could help drive more people from prison to school.

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Incarcerated fathers connect with children thanks to local program

Frank Wiley

January 14, 2019 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the Passages program, part of its larger Fatherhood Initiative, aims to help men become more involved parents. The program, instituted in the hopes of reducing recidivism rates and creating stronger male role models in the community, provides participants with job training, emotional support, and the skills they need to be active parents for their families.

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This Detroit farm is helping former inmates stay out of prison

David Hall

January 11, 2019 |

NBC News |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

When people are released from prison, they often have a hard time finding work due to time lapsed and prison records. RecoveryPark Farms in Detroit, Michigan aims to change this by providing job training in urban farming which benefits both the individuals and the community.

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How Singapore is using tech to rehabilitate prisoners

Varissara Charassangsomboon

January 11, 2019 |

GovInsider |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Singapore

The Digitalisation of Inmate Rehabilitation & Corrections Tool (DIRECT) project gives inmates in Singapore tablets to communicate with family members and access e-learning resources. Similar initiatives have been shown to reduce recidivism rates. “The resources in DIRECT allow for inmates to take greater ownership of their rehabilitation and prepare them for reintegration back into society upon their release,” Neo Ming Feng, the Deputy Superintendent of Prisons, said.

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In Licking County, Ohio, a Corrections Strategy That Offers Counseling, Art Classes, and Mindfulness Training

Jack Shuler

January 10, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Day reporting, which serves as an alternative to to jail or prison for many with substance abuse disorders, provides intense, holistic programming to help participants recover. The personal relationships built in the programs are particularly helpful according to participants, although relatively little formal research has been conducted about the approach.

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Reentering Society: How One New Athens Initiative Aims to Help

Alexandra Travis

January 01, 2019 |

Grady Newsource |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Athens, Georgia

After teaching an Inside Out class with half college students and half incarcerated students, an assistant professor from the University of Georgia addressed a gap in services to help incarcerated folks reenter into the community once released. The Athens Reentry Collaborative now meets weekly to help former inmates find career, personal, and community support.

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Reformed prisoners give back, save lives by monitoring SF's public restrooms

Dominic Fracassa

December 30, 2018 |

San Francisco Chronicle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Reformed prisoners are finding a way to contribute their skills to society by monitoring public restrooms in high-risk areas throughout San Francisco. Thanks to a partnership between Public Works Department and Hunters Point Family, these individuals are supported in finding work that includes "providing directions to tourists, returning lost wallets or cell phones, or hailing police to report drug dealers in the area."

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