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.
Latest News
Sister Helen Prejean: Together We Can End the Death Penalty (San Francisco Public Defender’s Office)
“The War on Weed” – Vanguard Documentary (Video)
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 […]
Iowa City Police Plan New Recruitment Video
[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 […]
“GIDEON’S ARMY” Documentary Film About Justice Reform and the Southern Public Defender Training Center
GIDEON’S ARMY follows the personal stories of Travis Williams, Brandy Alexander and June Hardwick, three young public defenders who are part of a small group of idealistic lawyers in the Deep South challenging the assumptions that drive a criminal justice system strained to the breaking point. Backed by mentor Jonathan “Rap” Rapping, a charismatic leader […]
Teachers Establish Innovative School Mentoring Initiative
[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 […]
2013 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
[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 […]
The Purpose of Prisons: Where Iowa Fits In (Iowa Public Radio)
[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 […]
Satirical Documentary About the War on Drugs to be Released Globally on 26 June 2013: “How to Make Money Selling Drugs”
Summary. “How to Make Money Selling Drugs” is a documentary directed by Matthew Cooke that offers a critical examination of the War on Drugs. In some respects, the message is a reiteration of what’s already been said about the Drug War, by offering statistics on rising incarceration rates and calling for reforms of drug laws. […]
The Death Penalty – An Interview with Sister Helen Prejean (NBS News Rachel Maddow 19 June 2013)
[Source: The Rachel Maddow Show, NBC News, 19 June 2013] Resources. Here are some resources for further reading and learning. Congregation of St. Joseph (Sister Helen Prejean is among those serving) Gregg v. Georgia, the 1976 Supreme Court Decision about the Death Penalty SisterHelen.org (website of Sister Helen) Sister Helen Prejean (Wikipedia Page) Transcript. Below […]
Juvenile Justice Reform – “Every Child Deserves a Second Chance”
This short documentary explores the problems with the juvenile justice system and features young people that are trying to make change.
“The Color of Justice” PBS Special About Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice System
A CPTV original documentary about Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice system. Statistics collected over 17 years indicate that minority children are treated more harshly than white children when it comes to sanctions within the Juvenile Justice system. The documentary looks at the disparities, the causes, and the solutions to this violation of children’s rights. And we look […]
Prostitution Justice Reform Initiative in Nassau County, New York
A recent sting in New York’s Nassau County nabbed 104 johns. The county announced the arrests on June 3rd, but it didn’t stop there. It also released the names and photographs of all the suspects. Kudos to Nassau County because, as District Attorney Kathleen Rice said, “women who are sex workers ‘too often remain the […]
Juvenile Justice Reform – “Pay Now or Pay Later – Truancy in Washington State” (Video)
Truancy is a major issue in Washington state, and has been at the forefront of Washington Models for Change work since the program’s inception. Programs developed by Models for Change partners that offer alternatives to formal court processing of truant youth have shown promise, but funding for these programs through Washington state’s “Becca Laws” is […]
“Education Under Arrest” – Juvenile Justice Reform PBS Report by Travis Smiley
National broadcaster, author, and advocate, Travis Smiley, explored the connection between schools with zero tolerance policies, the juvenile justice system, and the dropout rate among American teens—elements familiar to Models for Change programs across the nation. Interviewees, ranging from educators, law enforcement professionals, judges, youth advocates, and at-risk youth, examined the logic and research to […]
Iowa City Working to Improve Relations Between Police and Minorities
[Source: “Critics: Iowa City missing crucial opportunity,” Press Citizen, 18 June 2013] Critics: Iowa City missing crucial opportunity Council OKs plans aimed to improve minorities-police relationships; city to review regularly, track progress City administrators are making small changes aimed at improving relations between police and minorities but not the major overhaul that’s necessary, some critics […]
Department of Justice Features Sesame Street Resource Guide for Children With Incarcerated Parents in Jail or Prison
Summary. With over 2 million adults incarcerated in the United States, the impact on children and youth is substantial. Sesame Street recently released a toolkit of resources for helping those impacted by the incarceration of a parent or loved one. Resources. Below are links to some additional reading about this topic. “‘My Dad is in […]
U.S. Department of Justice Investigating Constitutionality of New York City Police Stop-and-Frisk Practices
In May of 2013, Bill de Blasio, the Public Advocate for the City of New York, filed a report demanding Urgent and Meaningful Reforms in response to Stop-and-Frisk practices. On 12 June 2013, the United States Department of Justice submitted litigation in US District Court of New York regarding the constitutionality of the Stop-and-Frisk practices used by […]
Behavioral Health Conference’s New “Criminal Justice Track” Emphasizes Collaboration with the Criminal Justice System to Improve Outcomes
The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG Justice Center), in collaboration with SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation (GAINS), developed a new “Criminal Justice Track” at the National Council for Behavioral Health’s (NCBH) annual conference, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 8-10, 2013. With more than 3,500 participants, this conference represents the largest […]
Prison Projects Symposium
