Mandatory sentencing

India Spellman pictured incarcerated.

India Spellman Was Wrongfully Convicted When She Was Just 17 India Spellman Was Wrongfully Convicted When She Was Just 17

That was over a decade ago. When will she walk free?

Nov 8, 2022 / Alyssa Oursler and Anna DalCortivo

ex-felon registers to vote in Florida

Why Congress Must Pass Voting Rights Reform Now Why Congress Must Pass Voting Rights Reform Now

It’s the best way to stop the GOP’s accelerating voter suppression strategy—and to continue the fight for criminal justice reform.

Mar 5, 2021 / Sasha Abramsky

Gascón stands, wearing a mask, in front of a large projected slide with a picture of himself that reads

California Chooses Criminal Justice Reform California Chooses Criminal Justice Reform

Results are not final, and some are not progressive, but Golden State voters continue to turn away from the tough-on-crime course set in the 1990s.

Nov 4, 2020 / Sasha Abramsky

Audia Jones

Audia Jones Wants to Redefine Criminal Justice in Texas Audia Jones Wants to Redefine Criminal Justice in Texas

Disappointed in her old boss, a former district attorney is running to be the Harris County district attorney on one of the most progressive platforms of 2020.

Feb 17, 2020 / Q&A / Daniel Fernandez

Katz Caban Recount

The Queens District Attorney Race Goes to Court The Queens District Attorney Race Goes to Court

The runoff between Tiffany Cabán and Melinda Katz isn’t over until the courts decide it is. 

Jul 31, 2019 / Ross Barkan

Paul Manafort 2018

The Manafort Sentence Is a Lesson in White Privilege The Manafort Sentence Is a Lesson in White Privilege

But the solution isn’t to inflate sentences for wealthy white men—it’s to reduce sentences for poor people of color.

Mar 8, 2019 / Elie Mystal

Broward Correctional Institution

Our Systems for Tracking the Criminal-Justice System Are Broken Our Systems for Tracking the Criminal-Justice System Are Broken

In Florida, a recently passed bill will standardize these statistics, and make them publicly accessible.

Mar 27, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Trump Opioid Speech

Why Trump’s Call to Execute Drug Dealers Matters Why Trump’s Call to Execute Drug Dealers Matters

Prosecutors across the country are already applying Trump’s “tough" approach through the use of drug-induced-homicide laws.

Mar 22, 2018 / Zoë Carpenter

Angola prison

‘We’re Basically Guessing on These Cases’: Louisiana’s Disastrous Resentencing Hearings ‘We’re Basically Guessing on These Cases’: Louisiana’s Disastrous Resentencing Hearings

SCOTUS has required the reconsideration of hundreds of sentences that put kids in prison for life.

Dec 22, 2017 / Jessica Pishko

jeff sessions mandatory minimum

Welcome to the ‘War On Drugs,’ Redux Welcome to the ‘War On Drugs,’ Redux

Punishing low-level drug offenders is back in style. Thanks a lot, Jeff Sessions.

May 12, 2017 / Collier Meyerson

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