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Nueces County ditches juvenile boot camp for new approach

Krista M. Torralva

June 23, 2017 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nueces County, Texas

In Nueces County, Texas, military-style boot camp was the norm for troubled juveniles, who were forced to complete drills that simulate ROTC with instructors. The newly named Robert N. Barnes Region Juvenile Facility began replacing this antiquated method with therapeutic support and yoga relaxation techniques focus on the psycho-social health of troubled juveniles. The facility serves as a model of what boot camps could become.

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How Prisoners' Family Members Can Assist Overworked Public Defenders

Maura Ewing

June 05, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Norristown, Pennsylvania

Public defenders' caseloads are too large for them to be able to provide the details that a loved one of an offender can provide in court. Participatory Defense programs train loved ones of the offender to be able to provide a testimony, often resulting in less severe sentences.

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Criminalizing Homelessness

Kenny Jacoby

June 01, 2017 |

Eugene Weekly |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Eugene, Oregon

In Eugene, Oregon, the city – much like the rest of the United States – has often practiced ticketing, citing, and/or arresting individuals as a response to homelessness. The practice, often referred to as the criminalization of homelessness, is now being called into question by groups across the city. Since the police are often the initial responders to people experiencing housing insecurity, the city is trying responses like community outreach to better address the needs of these individuals instead of writing them a ticket or sending them to jail.

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When Your Child Is a Psychopath

Barbara Bradley Hagerty

June 01, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Madison, Wisconsin

Children are typically diagnosed with callous and unemotional traits rather than psychopathy, so they are rarely treated properly for the mental condition even though most of these children grow into adult psychopaths. A juvenile treatment facility in Madison, Wisconsin, called Mendota takes in young men who have committed violent crimes and attempts to rehabilitate them in a non-traditional prison system. They have lower rates of re-offending than regular prisons and some of their inmates are able to function normally in society upon release.

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Philadelphia Treatment Court gives a 'second chance'

Albert Hong

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, people facing felony drug charges can opt for a yearlong program in a treatment court where their progress is monitored to ensure they avoid substance use, get treatment and stay in contact with their case managers. Judges presiding over the court work with those who miss those goals to help them reflect on how they can graduate, even if there are stumbles along the way. Those who successfully complete the program can work to get the felonies expunged from their records.

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STARS Program Helps Drug Court, Families Align

John Kelly

May 04, 2017 |

The Chronicle of Social Change |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services arose from the need to improve the outcomes of drug addicted parents and their children, such as increasing reunification statistics. STARS employs case workers who have previously been drug addicted, and can provide immediate support and services such as meeting with the participant, accessing treatment options, and drug screening.

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Battling Meth: A Rural Montana County is on the Frontline of National Foster Care Surge

Daniel Heimpel

April 28, 2017 |

The Chronicle of Social Change |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lake County, Montana

The drug crisis has reached new extremes in many parts of the country, as meth and opioids continue to tear families apart and funnel even more children into an already-strapped foster care system. In rural Montana, law enforcement and communities are trying a new approach to battling drug addiction, focusing on supportive family counseling and "drug courts" to help treat - rather than imprison - those struggling with addiction. In Lake County, Family Drug Treatment Courts are working to divert addicts from the vicious cycle and keep more families together.

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Nueces County judge aims for reform with domestic violence court

Krista M Torralva

April 22, 2017 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Corpus Christi, Texas

Judge Inna Klein and probation officers from The Community Supervision and Corrections Department are bringing domestic violence reform to Nueces County. By taking more aggressive approaches toward supervision and accountability, and by focusing on rehabilitative services for offenders, they hope to break the cycles of violence.

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Has a bold reform plan helped to shrink Philly's prison population?

David Gambacorta Samantha Melamed

April 12, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, but with a $3.5 million McArthur Foundation grant the city has used several initiatives to change that. The efforts appear to be working, with the number of inmates falling by 12 percent over one year. Programs include getting addicts treatment instead of more jail time, working to release those who cannot afford bail ahead of a trial and making attorneys more available for those who want to seek early parole.

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This former Philadelphia cop had an incredibly simple plan to keep kids out of prison: Don't arrest them.

Molly McCluskey

March 30, 2017 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The zero-tolerance of Philadelphia's school system towards even minor infractions from students was creating a detrimental school-to-prison pipeline that was doing more long term harm to youth than good. But one former officer took the initiative to break the cycle, founding the Police School Diversion Program to drastically reduce arrests and offer students supportive services such as counseling instead, helping create a more constructive environment for children, educators, and officers alike.

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