(Source: “The commercial bail industry shouldn’t profit off financial desperation,” ACLU Website) Eric Amparan likes the system the way it is now. As a bail bondsman, he’s part of an industry that pulls in $2 billion in revenue every year. Here’s how it typically works: If you’re booked into jail, you can either sit in […]
(Source: “Bastoy: the Norwegian prison that works,” The Guardian, 3 September 2013, by Erwin James) The following excerpts are from an article published by The Guardian about the Bastoy prison island. (source) “I run this prison like a small society,” he says as we sip tea in his cramped but tidy office. “I give respect […]
On December 28, 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services to “consider whether changes to our rules are necessary to ensure just and reasonable [inmate calling services or ICS] rates for interstate, long distance calling at publicly- and privately-administered correctional facilities.” To gather […]
The charts below are based on Sheriff’s Annual Reports and the latest data up to the present for daily average incarceration in the Johnson County Jail. Click any image for a larger gallery view. * * * Commentary. Below are some comments regarding the above data. “I think our low and declining incarceration numbers in […]
In 2009, the Dutch justice ministry announced the planned closing of eight prisons in the Netherlands due to a declining crime rate which was expected to continue. Now, in 2013, there are 19 prisons scheduled to be closed. This is caused, in part, by a continued decline in crime rates. Additionally, those who are convicted […]
[Source: “Old county jail hosts an arresting art exhibit,” Des Moines Register, 13 September 2013, by Michael Morain] Artists display their work in all sorts of everyday places — parks, coffee shops, city buses and so on. But in jail? That’s a new one and, technically, the most everyday place of all. Des Moines photographer […]
Guidelines for Care for Transitioning from Jails and Prisons for Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders Hosted by SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation, this webinar will introduce the “Guidelines for Care for Transitioning from Jails and Prisons for Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders.” Developed in collaboration with the Council of State Governments Justice Center and […]
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released its Scientific and Research Integrity Policy. The policy is designed to promote and ensure the objectivity and independence of the Department’s scientific endeavors. It lays out principles for maintaining and strengthening a culture of scientific validity and reliability. Below is an excerpt from the 11 page report. […]
Introduction Over the past few months, we’ve had many requests to conduct an online poll or survey. So, this is a first effort at such a survey. This survey and this website are non-government initiatives independently managed by volunteer residents of Johnson County. Please visit the Johnson County administration website for information about the official […]
Across the country, school leaders are working with state and local governments to improve their approaches to school discipline so they can provide safe, nurturing environments to students while keeping kids in school and out of the juvenile justice system. Today, as part of its School Discipline Consensus Project, the CSG Justice Center is releasing the […]
[Source: “Partnership to discuss decrease in student drinking, alcohol-free venues,” Daily Iowan, 10 July 2013, by Quentin Misiag] Alcohol Meeting The Partnership for Alcohol Safety will meet today (Wednesday 10 July 2013) in the University Capitol Center to discuss the following agenda items: Alcohol-free entertainment options Party Patrol Communication Campaign Alcohol Beverage Division town-hall meeting […]
[Source: “Editorial: UI’s alcohol culture changing,” Daily Iowan, 10 July 2013, by the DI Editorial Board] The Partnership for Alcohol Safety will meet this afternoon to discuss how best to move forward with its mission to reduce problem drinking at the University of Iowa, including tentative plans to bring more alcohol alternatives downtown. The partnership, […]
Summary. “Dead Man Walking” author Sister Helen Prejean was invited to San Francisco by Public Defender Jeff Adachi to speak about her experiences with the death penalty. Opening remarks included views by District Attorney George Gascon and religious leaders Rabbi Ryan Bauer and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. For more information, visit http://www.SFPublicDefender.org or http://www.SisterHelen.org.
Summary. In “The War on Weed,” Christof Putzel travels coast to coast to investigate the bizarre range of marijuana laws and enforcement in America. In California, legalized medical marijuana has led to something of a free for all and the Feds are cracking down. In Colorado, medical marijuana is protected by the state constitution and […]
[Source: “Iowa City Police Pull Suddenly Controversial Recruitment Video,” KCRG, 29 March 2013, By Mark Carlson, Reporter] IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa City police have pulled a recruitment video from the internet after members of the community raised concerns about its content. The video had been on the police website for more than three years […]
[Source: “Student arrests,” The Gazette, 23 June 2013, by The Gazette Editorial Board] Staff at Iowa City’s City High started the 2012-13 school year with a list prominently displayed on poster board in the break room, including the names of each of the school’s nearly 1,400 students. Over the first two weeks of school, staff […]
[Source: “2013 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant,” City of Iowa City, 21 June 2013] The Iowa City Police Department, in partnership with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, is making application for the 2013 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. The Departments were notified that […]
[Source: “The Purpose of Prisons: Where Iowa Fits In,” Iowa Public Radio, 24 June 2013, by Sarah McCammon, Katherine Perkins, and Sarah Boden] Why do we have prisons? Are they for retribution or rehabilitation or protection? Also, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Iowa’s corrections system? Sarah McCammon steps in for Ben Kieffer to […]
