Criminal Justice / Public News Service

Service dogs can help with mobility and access, object retrieval, reminders and medical alerts, among other things. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Service dogs trained behind bars in WV transform lives, inside and out

With demand for assistance dogs on the rise, people in two West Virginia prisons are getting involved in their training. At Saint Marys Correctional …

In Illinois, counties cover the operational costs of juvenile detention centers, while the state reimburses for staffing at more than $40 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Proposed bills would curb jailing of children in IL

Two bills aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system in Illinois are close to becoming law. Senate Bill 1784 proposes raising the age of …

The bill would also establish a prison education task force to implement consistent programs across state correctional facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Prison education bill to expand opportunities for incarcerated people in VA

A bill passed by Virginia lawmakers would expand higher education opportunities to incarcerated people across the state. House Bill 2158 aims to …

A day before Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested, federal authorities apprehended a former New Mexico judge and his wife on charges related to harboring an undocumented immigrant. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Legal experts call arrest of WI judge 'extreme and unnecessary'

Legal experts and advocates are outraged over the arrest of a Milwaukee judge last week who was charged with helping an undocumented defendant avoid a…

Misdemeanor charges place 13 million Americans in the criminal justice system each year, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 28, 2025

Rural KY counties are building more jails, data show

New data shows incarceration has ballooned in Kentucky's rural counties, and less populated regions are building more jails. The findings come from …

Of the nearly 956,000 pending cases eligible for jail time in Pennsylvania, about 52% have been assigned to public defenders, based on the latest available records, as of March 2023. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

PA public defenders struggle with high caseloads, attorney shortage

More than 60 Pennsylvania counties do not have enough public defenders for their caseloads, forcing some, including in Erie County, to each handle …

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law in the United States but individual states have been allowed to establish their own policies on its use and regulation. (Adobe stock)

Indiana moves to regulate legal THC sales and branding

Indiana lawmakers continue to debate THC rules while surrounding states move forward with marijuana legalization. Senate Bill 478 targets packaging …

Despite being only 13% of the population, Black people were 28% of those killed by police in 2024.(Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

5 years after George Floyd's death, OR police reform is 'slow'

Five years after George Floyd's murder by a white police officer sparked nationwide protests and demands for police reform, progress remains slow…

An average of 40 people per year have been killed by police in Washington state since 2015. (AlexanderIO/Adobe Stock)

Police reform advocate: WA must do more to reduce deaths

Five years after George Floyd's murder by a white police officer sparked nationwide protests and demands for police reform, progress remains slow…

The Ohio Department of Transportation defines a

OH parents seek tougher sentences for fatal school-zone collisions

Parents of students killed or injured in school-zone crosswalks are backing a measure in the Ohio General Assembly to increase the penalty from a misd…

The elimination of judgeships in 11 Indiana counties followed a weighted caseload study, which found some counties have more judges than needed to manage their current dockets. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana Senate passes surprise court cuts

Indiana lawmakers approved a bill Tuesday to eliminate judgeships in eleven mostly rural counties as part of a statewide judicial reallocation…

Bumblebee colonies have annual life cycles, according to the ZYWang Lab at the University of Washington, where researchers study natural social behavior changes in aging bees. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Impact of solitary confinement goes beyond psychological trauma

Imagine being locked in a cell for 23 hours a day, under constant artificial light, with no human contact for months or even years. This is the …

Federal data show in 2023, an estimated 3,275 people were killed nationwide in distracted driving-related crashes. (Adobe Stock)

MN police chief: Drivers need to break cell phone habit

Law enforcement agencies are still trying to get the message through about the dangers and costs that stem from distracted driving. A Minnesota …

Technical violations accounted for nearly two-thirds of Mississippi's probation/parole revocations in 2023, according to a 2024 Mississippi Department of Corrections task force report. (Pixabay)

MS parole, probation system called 'booby trap' fueling reincarceration

Criminal-justice experts say Mississippi's parole and probation systems, designed as alternatives to incarceration, are instead functioning as …

This month, labor organizations and Hennepin County authorities announced a historic wage theft prosecution for Minnesota. (Photo courtesy of Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

Wage theft enforcement could take a big leap in some MN counties

On the heels of courtroom victories, some Minnesota prosecutors say they'll try to replicate the success in going after more businesses suspected of …

LGBTQ+ youths are nearly four times more likely to be victimized, and are particularly vulnerable to experiencing unwanted sexual advances online. (Adobe Stock)

Research: One in seven Utah children is a victim of sexual abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and new research at Utah State University finds one in seven Utah children experiences sexual abuse --…

State lawmakers and advocates estimated up to 600,000 Ohio drivers had suspensions related to unpaid fines and fees. (Graphic by Celina Fang/The Marshall Project)

New law clears path for Ohio drivers with unpaid fines

By Rachel Dissell and The Marshall Project for Signal Cleveland.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Signal O…

Researchers in the ZYWang Lab at the University of Washington investigated how social isolation disrupts natural behavioral patterns. Their current work examines the neurological and physiological impacts of prolonged isolation with direct implications for understanding solitary confinement's effects on humans. (Pixabay/iira116)

Research: People suffer in solitary confinement as FL reforms sit idle

New research showed damage to Florida's 3,000 inmates in solitary confinement extends far beyond psychological trauma. Solitary, which often lasts …

New research exposes devastating effects of solitary confinement

Imagine being locked in a cell for 23 hours a day, under constant artificial light, with no human contact for months or even years. It is the reality …

Research showed those who were previously incarcerated are approximately 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Broken prison system leaves many in WV without options post-release

April is National Second Chance Month but across West Virginia, resources to help people leaving prison find gainful employment are dwindling…

A national public relations firm recently surveyed Americans about the barriers youths face to better outcomes. Respondents recognized the need for stronger communities, but survey officials said they still underestimate the effect poverty can have on youths. (Adobe Stock)

For youth empowerment work, experts say careful wording can save the day

April is Second Chance Month, with extra focus on helping people with a criminal past keep from becoming repeat offenders. In steering Minnesota …

In 2025, Mississippi's incarceration rate remains high, with more than 19,000 people incarcerated; a significant portion of them are Black, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. (Pixabay)

Mississippi urged to invest in jobs, not jails, to cut prison costs

As Mississippi grapples with one of the nation's highest incarceration rates, a new national campaign highlights the economic and social toll of …

Since March 8, the Trump administration has attempted to arrest or deport at least six additional pro-Palestinian foreign students across four campuses, including Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown and Tufts universities. (Adobe Stock)

Arrest of U. of Cincinnati student fuels national free speech debate

UPDATE: A statement about the arrest from the University of Cincinnati has been added. (8:10 a.m. MDT, Apr. 3, 2025) A recent arrest on the …

Last year, more than 15 organizations and some Washington state legislators asked the Department of Corrections to stop punishing incarcerated people for participating in the legislative process. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

Groups advocate for more civic engagement in WA prisons

A bill known as the Act for Civic Engagement did not make it out of committee in Olympia before the deadline but advocates for people who are incarcer…

A study by the University of California-San Diego and Tulane University found that as of 2022, intimate-partner violence against women cost California almost $74 billion a year in health care, lost earnings, criminal-justice expenses and survivor support. (Tinnakorn/Adobe Stock)

Prison-based program in CA aims to interrupt cycle of violence

By Ricky Rodas for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

The Second Chance Act has invested $1.2 billion into states to help improve outcomes for people leaving prison and jail with unprecedented resources and energy. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky re-entry services programs struggle to secure funding

April is National Second Chance Month but across the Commonwealth, resources to help people leaving prison find gainful employment are dwindling…

According to the most recent data, there were nearly 600 people in North Dakota living with HIV. (Adobe Stock)

ND joins movement to end outdated HIV penalties

North Dakota has joined a handful of states in modernizing laws about the spread of HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - and criminal penalties associat…

Last fall, a study group recommended Ohio close its three remaining youth prisons and replace them with smaller facilities. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: OH RECLAIM a model for juvenile justice reform in other states

A new report examined differences in state juvenile justice system financing, looking at how local control can improve outcomes. The report…

According to 2024 DEA laboratory testing, five of 10 pills tested contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY advocates: HALT Fentanyl Act won’t address root causes of substance use

The federal HALT Fentanyl Act advancing through Congress would increase prison time for fentanyl traffickers. Kentuckians convicted on distribution …

Mississippi's three-year recidivism rate reached 40% in 2023, according to state task force data - among the highest in the United States. (Pixabay)

MS aims to expand Fresh Start Act to cut recidivism

For thousands of Mississippians leaving prison each year, a single question looms large: Who will hire me? State lawmakers could remove some of the …

The Prison Policy Initiative reported South Dakota has an incarceration rate of 812 per 100,000 people. There are renewed calls for policymakers to stick with effective reform efforts, hopefully reducing the number of repeat offenders. (Adobe Stock)

Getting a read on SD's incarceration woes and improving re-entry

Setting aside funding for a new South Dakota prison is a thorny issue for state lawmakers this year. There is also renewed talk about the state's …

Parties protected under an expanded Lifeline Law in Indiana would be the caller, and those who assist the caller, staying at the scene and remaining compliant. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana inches closer to lifesaving law change

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

Roughly 150 cities in 32 states have passed homelessness ordinances, according to the National Criminal Justice Association. (Adobe Stock)

Morgantown residents will soon decide whether to veto camping ban

Next month, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, will ask residents to vote on whether to keep or eliminate a city ordinance banning camping on …

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, established by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, provides free, confidential support to individuals in mental health crises. (Pixabay)

MS urged to reform mental health system to reduce jail overcrowding

As Mississippi grapples with a growing mental health crisis, state and local leaders are being urged to prioritize diversion programs and crisis care …

Beginning in 2024, the Allegheny County Public Defender's office uses 175% of the Federal Poverty guidelines as income requirements for its clients. (Gorodenkoff/AdobeStock

Audit: Allegheny County public defenders overwhelmed with caseloads

An audit by Allegheny County reveals most public defenders face excessive caseloads and a lack of resources, putting clients at a disadvantage…

State law specifies the governor may remove any member of the Prisoner Review Board at any time for incompetence, neglect of duty, malfeasance or inability to serve. (Illinois Prisoner Review Board in 2024, In Their Hands)

Film highlights reform need of IL’s parole system through one man’s fight

An Illinois documentary takes a deep dive into the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and the politics that influence its decision-making through one man'…

There were more than 5,700 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls reported in 2016 in the U.S. Fewer than 200 were logged in the Department of Justice database. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Alarming violence rates continue against Indigenous women

Indigenous people have made great contributions to the state of Wisconsin yet the alarming rates of violence against them remains a public health cris…

The Northwest ICE Processing Center is the largest immigrant detention center in the Western U.S., and is nearing its 1,900-person capacity. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Amid increased activity, pressure to close WA ICE detention center

A year after the death of detainee Charles Leo Daniel, a 61-year-old Trinidadian migrant, legislators and human rights advocates continue pushing to …

Some prison medical services require copays from those incarcerated, which can be a significant burden given the extremely low wages paid for prison labor. (b201735/Adobe Stock)

New MO-based newsroom focuses on health and justice

The Missouri Foundation for Health is partnering with The Marshall Project on the launch of a St. Louis nonprofit newsroom highlighting the legal …

More than 15 million buprenorphine prescriptions were issued in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky proposes changes to buprenorphine prescribing, dispensing rules

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure recently proposed new changes to regulations around the prescribing and dispensing of buprenorphine, also …

In West Virginia, 11,000 people are incarcerated and another 9,200 are on probation or parole, according to data from the Prison Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: West Virginia’s prison population on the decline

West Virginia is among just ten states whose prison population declined between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from the Prison Policy …

Almost one-half million Americans are jailed each year while awaiting trial. Many are there because they cannot post a cash bond to guarantee their appearance in court. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform

The incarceration rate for Americans is rising, according to a new report, and at the same time, the U.S. crime rate is falling to historic lows…

Statistics show males younger than 18 commit a large portion of property crimes, such as theft, burglary and vandalism, with higher arrest rates than females in most juvenile crime categories. <br />(melhak/Adobe Stock)

MO advocate urges healing over punishment for traumatized juveniles

A Missouri children's advocate is urging the justice system to focus on healing for youths, noting trauma and broken relationships often drive their …

The prison population averaged about 30,000 last year in North Carolina. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Earned time prison programs improve outcomes

Programs allowing incarcerated people to receive reductions in their sentences help lower chances of reoffending, according to a recent analysis…

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, in 2023, 12% of people in West Virginia prisons were over age 55, and the average age of state prisoners was 39. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Bill to increase penalties could overpopulate WV prisons

A bill pending in the West Virginia Legislature would increase the length of penalties for "serious" felony convictions, but critics have said it …

People applying for asylum face what is called an

Immigration courts offer many barriers, few solutions

As the Trump administration's deportation efforts continue, more people find themselves in immigration court. Immigration law is complicated…

In Kentucky, several correctional facilities have faced significant challenges related to extreme heat and inadequate cooling systems. (Adobe Stock)

Faith leaders: heat conditions in U.S. prisons are "inhumane"

Faith leaders and criminal justice advocates are sounding the alarm about extreme heat in U.S. prisons, warning life-threatening temperatures put …

The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill to require all Texas prisons to have air conditioning by 2029 but the prison system only has to comply if the state provides the funding. (pict rider/Adobe Stock)

Faith leaders call out inhumane heat conditions in TX prisons

Only 30% of prisons in Texas have central air conditioning and faith leaders and advocates for those incarcerated are raising concerns about inhumane …

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