Voting Eligibility and The American Carceral State

The ability to vote is an integral part of the United States Constitution. However under specific circumstances, an individual can lose the right to vote. Disenfranchisment is a common occurrence in state and federal prisons. However, individuals incarcerated at local jails often find themselves in a gray area. This report from the Prison Policy Initiative…

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COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Omit Vulnerable Inmates from Testing

With COVID-19 plaguing the planet, scientists are scrambling to create a viable vaccine. So far, only China, Britain, and the United States have succeeded and are ready to begin human trials. In the United States, phase-3 vaccine trials may draw in over 30,000 high-risk participants. Even so, inmates cannot take part in these trials, despite…

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First Step Act – A Year in Review

The U.S. Sentencing Commission published a new study addressing the first-year impact of the First Step Act. You will find a summary of the key findings of this below. KEY FINDINGS This publication examines the impact of the First Step Act, analyzing data from the first year following its enactment, compared to data from the…

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First Step Act Disappoints Thousands of Prisoners and Families Who Expected an Early Releases

A Fading Hope for Early Release Federal prisoners whose hopes were high for an early release thanks to the signing of the First Step Act are now unsure of their fates. While the new law will, to some degree, affect thousands of federal inmates good behavior credits, a small provision in the act has made…

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Criminal Justice Reforms in NY Rely on a “Save More Money” Mantra

Advocates seeking criminal justice reform in New York are now attempting to appeal to their peers by using more conservative arguments. More specifically, advocates are focusing on driving awareness of just how expensive the current system is to taxpayers. New Yorkers United for Justice (NYUJ) recently hosted a panel at Hofstra University to discuss proposals…

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Will the First Step Act Lead to the Second Step in Prison Reform?

A Necessary Reform The First Step Act, an initiative aimed at federal prison reform, was recently enacted into law. It passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming support. President Trump immediately signed the legislation. Thus, the Act affirms the popular consensus of the American public that some form of federal prison reform is needed.…

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