Punishment
Sentencing Minors to Life Without Parole Is Declared Unconstitutional in Washington State
With this ruling, Washington joined 20 other states and the District of Columbia that consider juvenile life without parole unconstitutional
Euphemisms Affect Parents' Attitudes Toward Corporal Punishment
Parents are more comfortable with corporal punishment when gentler language is used to describe it.
Toddlers Carrying Out Restorative Justice
New research shows that children as young as three may dole out punishments to ease harm to victims.
Tightening the Rules on Restraining and Secluding Students
Under new rules, Massachusetts schools will not be allowed to use certain techniques to restrain or isolate students as frequently and will have to report all restraints and injuries.
Problems With Police Sanctions
Recent research about ways to deal with police misconduct, and some of its unintended consequences.
Radical Life Extension and Time-Slowing Drugs
These ideas for the future of prison sentencing are outrageous, but the current state of affairs is, too.
The 101 Blog
Welcome to “The 101,” our premiere staff-written blog for breaking news and commentary on today’s most compelling research.
The Death Penalty on Life Support
Forty years ago, Americans’ moral qualms almost ended the death penalty. Now we’re abandoning it again — but not because we object to executions.
Hit By a Pitch: Vicarious Punishment in the Batter’s Box
New research finds a substantial minority of baseball fans disregard their own moral views and support the idea of “beaning” a player in retaliation for an earlier incident.
‘Stand Your Ground’ Stats Point to High Costs
An Urban Institute examination of U.S. homicides where self-defense was claimed suggests that the possible costs of “Stand Your Ground” laws exceed their benefits.
Study: More Black Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole
As the U.S. Supreme Court gets ready to examine life without parole for juvenile killers, a new study identifies the racial and sociological backstories of the existing prisoners.
Overcrowded Prisons Giving Old Inmates New Life
Aging prisoners serving long sentences are filling overcrowded lockups across the nation. Colorado prison officials hope a new program will help let some of these old guys get out — and stay out.
Private Prisons Can’t Lock In Savings
A report from The Sentencing Project argues that a primary driver for privatizing corrections isn’t really paying off.
America Edges to Brink of Armed Police Drones
Europeans are lagging the United States in using aerial drones for police work – and they don’t really mind.
LAPD Cracks Cold Cases With Science, Grit
Since the LAPD's cold case unit began 10 years ago, detectives have used science to arrest serial killers and dozens of others who thought they had gotten away with murder.
Can Predictive Policing Forecast Future Crimes?
The LAPD's Sean Malinowski wants to prevent crime with "predictive policing," which can forecast patterns of where crime occurs using computer algorithms.
Lee Baca Wants to Educate L.A.'s Prisoners
In this Miller-McCune Q&A, Los Angeles County's top cop Lee Baca explains why he wants to offer an education to tens of thousands of prisoners.
Cybercop Fights Organized Internet Crime
Steve Santorelli gets computing experts and law enforcers to cooperate in a global fight against organized Internet crime.
David Onek — Law Enforcement Facilitator
David Onek works to bring together stakeholders in the criminal justice system who often agree — usually without knowing they do.
Hate Crimes Against People With Disabilities Exist
Hate crimes against people with disabilities are widespread and often involve extraordinary levels of sadism. The first step in combating these shameful incidents is an acknowledgment that they exist.
Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story — Review of PBS Documentary
The PBS documentary "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story" asks the question: Who is responsible when family and society so fail a promising child that she turns to prostitution and murder in her teens?
Convict Commodification
Why incarceration should be just one of many strategies helping neighborhoods that produce bumper crops of crooks.
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?