Convict Commodification
Why incarceration should be just one of many strategies helping neighborhoods that produce bumper crops of crooks.
Browsing Tag
Legal Affairs
170 posts
Why Victims Face the Criminals Who Hurt Them
Some crime victims find their only real healing comes from a face-to-face meeting with the criminals who hurt them. Can research into this counterintuitive process help more victims regain control of their lives?
Book Seeks True Justice for Crime Victims
Susan Herman, author of "Parallel Justice for Victims of Crimes," wonders what if society did not see its help for victims as mere compassion or charity, but a core societal obligation?
Censorship in Shades of Black and Gray
John Kampfner, the head of the London-based Index on Censorship, discusses the threats to free expression in the world, from the dictator's muzzle to the playwright's pen.
For Some, Might Torture Be Its Own Reward?
The debate over the use of torture usually pivots on whether it delivers useful intelligence, but new research suggests many Americans are drawn to its aura of righteous retribution.
Marijuana, Dark Horse Savior of California Agriculture
While a legalized marijuana crop wouldn’t solve all of California’s agricultural woes, it might still keep the state in the green.
Alternative Sentencing Gaining Acceptance
Changes in attitudes, technology and finances have eroded the stance that a prison cell is the best home for every convicted criminal. Alternative sentencing is finding creative ways to deal with low-level, nonviolent offenders.
Cops and College: Do Police Need Book Smarts?
Better-educated police officers resort less often to using force, research shows.
No Port After the Storm
Post-Katrina New Orleans, still rife with blighted housing, is a lesson for recovering from future disasters.
Public Defenders as Effective as Private Attorneys
New research suggests that, in terms of influencing key judicial decisions, public defenders are as effective as their private counterparts.