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Big Tech's Newest Experiment in Criminal-Justice Reform

Alexis C. Madrigal

August 29, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Building on the Last Mile program that teaches inmates to code in some California prisons, Slack launched an apprenticeship program for the formerly incarcerated. It's a small initiative compared to the vast need, but organizers hope other companies will join the effort. While Last Mile graduates have stayed out of prison, it's been challenging for them to find actual coding jobs and critics say the effort does not addresses systemic issues around incarceration.

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'Girls who leave militias get rejected': helping child soldiers go home

Lucy Lamble

August 15, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Enrolling in school can help former girl soldiers reintegrate into society. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Child Soldiers International interviewed community members and former soldiers, and then shared this finding with local organizations to guide programming.

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Despite spike in shootings, a Chicago community gets a handle on violence

Nissa Rhee

August 08, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has seen a decline in violence, and one neighborhood in particular has led the way, nearly halving its shootings and homicides. Police in Englewood have changed how they work with the community and where they send officers, focusing on the places and people experiencing the most violence, informed by data and surveillance systems. Community organizations are also providing job training, services and counseling to those most likely to be caught up in the violence.

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An innovative approach to criminal justice reform: Put black women in charge

Timothy Pratt

August 03, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Fulton, Georgia

South Fulton is the only city in the U.S. to put black women in charge of its criminal justice system—from the judge, to the prosecutor, to the public defender. “The result: A focus on community policing, pretrial diversion programs and assigning public defenders to all cases.” Ultimately, the aim is to divert black people from entering the prison pipeline, and establishing a model that can be replicated in other cities.

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Expungement fairs build regional momentum while helping locals move past criminal backgrounds

Brianna Kelly

August 01, 2018 |

Concentrate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Michigan Works! Southeast is an organization that, among other things, is helping Michigan residents with criminal records get those records expunged in order to increase their job opportunities in the future. By simplifying this process, participants save money and time, making these fairs a more accessible option than using a lawyer. So far, two expungement fairs have been held that have attracted about 50 people, but there is talk of expanding to a statewide program.

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When mental illness leads to an arrest, this court steps in

Anita Wadhwani

July 28, 2018 |

The Tennessean |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

Non-violent offenders arrested during mental health episodes in Davidson County are sent to Mental Health Court rather than criminal court. Through this court, they are connected to safety net services such as housing, medication assistance, and therapy.

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Throw the books at them: How more training for Wisconsin's prisoners could help companies

David D. Haynes

July 26, 2018 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the Department of Corrections is tailoring their prison education programs to meet the needs of the job market, and it is benefitting former inmates as well as the economy. Milwaukee Area Technical College works to get inmates credentials, which helps them get jobs upon release from prison. The investment pays off. For every dollar spent educating inmates, the government saves $5 in the years after their release.

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The Citizens Project

Jill Harkins

July 23, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Haven, Connecticut

In New Haven, a two-decades long experiment in giving community to and promoting empowerment for people who have been in the criminal justice system or mental health treatment services has shown a decrease in drug use and an increase in general quality of life. The idea - that people who have isolated/alienated by a system need to be empowered as citizens to successfully re-integrate - is taking hold in other cities, including Philadelphia.

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A View of Tomorrow

Nicole Lewis

July 18, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

More states eye virtual reality to help inmates, jailed since they were teenagers, adapt to a very different world. Since a Supreme Court decision mandated the release of nearly 2,000 inmates sentenced as juveniles to life without parole, states have grappled with how to prepare them, and Pennsylvania turned to VR. Colorado followed suit and others are interested in the potential, but critics warn much more is needed to help juvenile lifers navigate the world as adults.

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You've Served Your Time. Now You're Told You Can't Cut Hair.

Ashley Nerbovig

July 10, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

A number of states have passed reforms aimed at helping people coming out of incarceration get licenses that are key to well-paying jobs, which in turn help people stay out of prison. But there are still numerous hurdles in other states around criminal histories and background checks that keep people with felony records from entering those professions. Those requirements have cost the economy nearly three million jobs according to one report, and disproportionately affect people of color.

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