Kwame Rockwell Will Be the Next Disabled Person Executed by America
America's courts still don't have clear protections for defendants with severe mental illness.
Criminal Justice
The Death Penalty Becomes Illegal in Washington State
After hearing the last appeal from a man on death row, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the death penalty, as applied in the state, is unconstitutional.
What You Need to Know About the ACLU's Case Against the Mandatory Detention of Immigrants
The case—Brett Kavanaugh's first as a Supreme Court justice—deals with mandatory detention laws to keep immigrants in prisons during trials, even if they aren't a public danger or flight risk.
If You're Worried About Free Speech, Stand Up for Prisoners
The shuttering of a prison debate club shows the precarious nature of free-speech rights among American inmates.
Who Gets to Control a Killer's Story?
On Botham Shem Jean and the American obsession with criminalizing dead black people.
Can New Zealand Provide the U.S. With a Model for Juvenile Justice Reform?
Lawyer Melissa Goemann says implementing restorative justice practices allowed New Zealand to end the wholesale incarceration of children—and the U.S. should follow suit.
The Governor of California Signs a Bill Ending Money Bail
The bill abolishes paying money as a condition of release from jail pre-trial.
The Militarization of Police Does Not Reduce Crime
New research finds it does reduce public support for law enforcement.
The LAPD May Dismiss Old Bench Warrants for the City's Homeless Population
A plan under consideration by the Los Angeles Police Department would toss out warrants for homeless people who don't show up in court for minor offenses.
Grassroots Organizations Are Leading the Way on Criminal Justice Reform
Across the country, jails are often used as holding pens for people who can't afford to pay bail. Local groups are working to change that.
Should Convicted Felons Lose the Right to Vote?
At least six million United States citizens cannot vote in the U.S. because they have been convicted of a felony, but there is a growing movement to change that.
Can Racial Bias Ever Be Removed From Criminal Justice Algorithms?
A recent vote over a proposed tool to predict the risk that a person would pose a threat to public safety in Pennsylvania stirred a debate over its unintended consequences.
A New ICE Report on Undocumented Immigrant Crime Lacks Hard Statistics
The Victims of Immigration Crime (VOICE) office's quarterly report offers case studies, but it does not include statistics on crime rates.
California Could Become the First State to Dramatically Restrict Police Use of Deadly Force
A state Senate bill, which would significantly restrict police's use deadly force, faces stiff opposition from law enforcement organizations.
Poor Care Played a Role in the Deaths of Immigrants in ICE Custody
A new report highlights troubling patterns in medical care in immigration detention facilities.
Is San Diego County Failing Its Most Vulnerable Inmate Population?
A disability rights organization and private lawsuits allege negligence among San Diego County staff and officials toward inmates with mental illnesses. The county says otherwise.
Trump Commutes the Life Sentence of the First-Time Drug Offender Backed by Kim Kardashian
President Donald Trump on Wednesday commuted the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who has already served 21 years of a life sentence for charges of cocaine possession and money laundering.
Football Team Losses Can Affect Prison Sentences
New research finds juvenile court judges in Louisiana give out harsher sentences—especially to black defendants—following an unexpected loss by LSU.
Perp Walk Politics: The Downsides of the Blue Carpet
The perp walk scratches a satisfying itch for retribution, but it also gives alleged assailants the opportunity to co-opt what should be a somber moment for their own self-aggrandizement.
Are Prison Commissaries Fair?
Prisons and jails charge inmates substantial portions of their annual wages for basic necessities.
Is America Making Progress in Curtailing Mass Incarceration?
According to a new report, while the overall number of inmates in the U.S. is declining, some states are still seeing their prison populations rise.
The Biggest Obstacle to the Pentagon’s War on Sexual Assault: the Military Justice System
A legal principle intended to protect service members after World War II has spawned a dangerous precedent.
Activists in Oakland Are Pushing for Better Research Around Police Violence and Community Trauma
Community trauma remains a major issue in marginalized communities. But there's still little research to show how police cause mental-health issues—or what can be done to lessen the communal anguish.
The Triumph of Trump's Law and Order Politics
By bending over backwards for the Protect and Serve Act, Democrats just proved that Trump's law and order mantra may remain his most lasting legacy.