Criminal Justice

A Black teenager grasps the hands of a Black woman as a Black police officer stands behind him.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 19, 2019 1:20PM EDT

WATCH: Trailer for Ava Duvernay's 'When They See Us'

The four-part limited Netflix series about the Central Park Five stars a slew of esteemed actors, including Michael K. Williams and John Leguizamo.
Bright green marijuana leaves
Shani Saxon  Apr 16, 2019 4:53PM EDT

Marijuana Doc 'Grass Is Greener' Highlights War on Black and Latinx Communities

Fab 5 Freddy’s directorial debut explores the history of weed in the United States, including its criminalization and impact on music.
A Black man turned to the side wearing a blue blazer and black sunglasses with a light beard stands in front
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 12, 2019 12:01PM EDT

Chicago Sues Jussie Smollet for Money Spent on Investigation

The civil suit seeks roughly $130,000 plus legal fees, which is the maximum amount allowed by law. 
An old, abandoned state penitentiary cellblock bathed in sunlight.
Shani Saxon  Apr 10, 2019 4:35PM EDT

Q&A: How These Oregon Leaders Are Empowering Black Women in the Criminal Justice System

Colorlines talks to Abbey Stamp and O’Nesha Cochran, two women at the forefront of revolutionary change in their community.
A woman's leg wearing an ankle monitor underneath a table with gold colored slippers
catherine lizette gonzalez  Apr 9, 2019 4:50PM EDT

READ: Chicago Implements GPS Monitoring Devices That Calls, Records Children Without Their Consent

Cook County officials say the monitoring tool improves communication with children, but critics say it is an invasion of privacy and violation of the Constitution.
A Black Woman side view plans with her earring.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 5, 2019 11:48AM EDT

'Blowin’ Up' is a New Doc About a Court Room That Rules In Favor of Compassion

What happens when sex workers receive support rather than punishment? Everything. 
White prison bars with bright, florescent light shinning in the background.
Shani Saxon  Apr 4, 2019 3:38PM EDT

The Marshall Project Launches Print Publication for People Living Behind Bars

News Inside is distributed at prisons and jails.
A young mixed race boy sits on he lap of his father while they both color on paper in a visiting area in jail.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 1, 2019 12:17PM EDT

New PBS Doc 'Tre Maison Dason' Explores Growing Up With An Incarcerated Parent

One in 14 American children has a parent who is currently, or was previously, in prison. “Tre Maison Dasan” follows three of these children.
Silver handcuffs on black asphalt
Shani Saxon  Mar 27, 2019 11:13AM EDT

New Report Highlights Need, Strategies for Juvenile Justice Reform

The Urban Institute and the Youth First Initiative want to help America move away from youth incarceration in favor of community-based solutions.
A Black man turned tot he side wearing a blue blazer and black sunglasses with a light beard stands in front
Tiarra Mukherjee  Mar 26, 2019 2:43PM EDT

Prosecutors Drop All 16 Charges Against Jussie Smollett

The state’s attorney’s office says the actor’s community service and agreement to forfeit his bond led it to dismiss the charges.
Three rows of black and white head shots of Black Children, 3 in each row, from a police report that identifies missing and murdered children.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Mar 22, 2019 4:08PM EDT

Atlanta Child Murders Case Reopened Ahead of New Documentary

ID’s “The Atlanta Child Murders” spurred the reopening of the 40-year old case of 29 missing and dead Black children.
White prison bars with bright, florescent light shinning in the background.
Shani Saxon  Mar 21, 2019 6:00PM EDT

Florida House Advances Bill That Would Limit Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated

Will formerly incarcerated Florida residents be forced to pay fees before their voting rights are restored?
Black man with beard and platinum diamond encrusted chains smiles while looking slightly right is greeted by a group
Tiarra Mukherjee  Mar 19, 2019 5:31PM EDT

ICYMI: Meek Mill's New Docuseries Has a Teaser Trailer

In “#FreeMeek,” the Philly rapper hero details his firsthand experience with the criminal justice system.
An old, abandoned state penitentiary cellblock bathed in sunlight.
Shani Saxon  Mar 19, 2019 4:35PM EDT

New Report Offers Big Picture Look at Mass Incarceration

The Prison Policy Initiative shines a light on racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Black man stands next to a red car and in front of police officer as he takes a sobriety test at night.
Shani Saxon  Mar 14, 2019 5:16PM EDT

New Report Analyzes Racial Bias in Police Traffic Stops

The Stanford Policing Project determined Black and Latinx drivers are pulled over more frequently than White drivers, even with less evidence of wrongdoing.
Close-up of two pregnant, Black prison inmates as they stand behind bars with the orange uniforms raised to show their pregnancies.
Shani Saxon  Mar 13, 2019 3:39PM EDT

States Consider Ban on Shackling Incarcerated People During Childbirth

The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that roughly 12,000 pregnant women are jailed in the United States each year.
Black Man facing sideways with a dark-skinned person's pink manicured hand on his shoulder while a news camera and mic loom over his head to the right.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Mar 11, 2019 2:41PM EDT

Should Jussie Smollett Have Been Indicted on 16 Felony Counts?

Twitter users weigh in on the latest development in the case.
Silver handcuffs on black asphalt
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 7, 2019 10:07AM EST

Former Juvenile Lifers Need a Pressure Valve [Op-Ed]

Abd’Allah Wali Lateef of the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth makes the case for social service, mental health and parole policy reform to help former life-sentenced children successfully return to society.
Black man in plaid shirt with two small children on his lap
Shani Saxon  Mar 6, 2019 3:37PM EST

Federal Prosecutors Open Civil Rights Investigation Into Police Killing of Stephon Clark

It comes on the heels of the California attorney general’s decision to not file criminal charges against the officers identified in the shooting.
A Black man wearing sunglasses wears a white T-shirt with a with a photo of Stephon Clark during a demonstration in Sacramento, California on March 22, 2018.
Shani Saxon  Mar 5, 2019 5:44PM EST

Police Arrest Protesters After No Charges for Officers Who Killed Stephon Clark

Demonstrators were taken into custody while protesting the decision not to prosecute two Sacramento cops who fatally shot the unarmed Black man in March 2018.