Criminal Justice

Bryan Stevenson. Black man in gray jacket suit, black pants and tie, white shirt, standing on the steps of a courthouse.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 20, 2019 10:00AM EDT

EXCLUSIVE: Powerful Clip From HBO Doc on Bryan Stevenson's Liberatory Work

In “True Justice,” the Equal Justice Initiative founder connects the dots between enslavement and death sentences for Black people—and breaks down why he is committed to ending mass incarceration.
New York State Capitol Building
Ayana Byrd  Jun 12, 2019 12:59PM EDT

New York State Prepares to Decriminalize Sex Work

A new bill aims to protect sex workers, particularly immigrant and trans workers of color.
Black man in dark shit sits on couch with teen daughter as they work on a black laptop
Shani Saxon  Jun 11, 2019 3:31PM EDT

Q&A: Meet the Formerly Incarcerated Dad Who Created an App to Connect Families

Colorlines talks to Antoine Patton about Photo Patch, the app he created with his daughter after teaching himself to code behind bars.
Lonnie Morris and Richard Lathan. Two middle-aged Black men in prison uniforms, blue and yellow, in front of a gate.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 6, 2019 10:26AM EDT

LISTEN: San Quentin State Prison Podcast 'Ear Hustle' Returns for New Season

Season four introduces listeners to a new host and a segment about learning the ropes in the prison.
Albert Woodson. Older Black man with gray Afro holding up oar while in a canoe.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 5, 2019 1:52PM EDT

'Solitary' Film to Tell Story of Angola 3's Albert Woodfox

Mahershala Ali will executive produce, and perhaps star, in biopic of the Black man who spent 43 years in solitary confinement for a crime he says he didn’t commit.
The Exonerated 5: Korey Wise, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Yusef Salaam stand in front of a blue and white step and repeat.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 5, 2019 11:22AM EDT

Activists Ask DA to Reopen Linda Fairstein's Cases

The prosecutor who plays a huge role in Netflix’s “When They See Us” is getting her time in the court of public opinion.
a young Black girl with ponytails, blue overalls and a black biker jacket, walks with an older man wearing a blue baseball cap and a black and blue tracksuit. The man holds a sign that reads, "stop killing me"
Shani Saxon  May 30, 2019 4:49PM EDT

Where Does Your State Rank When It Comes to Black Homicide?

A new study ranks states according to the number of Black teens and adults killed.
An old, abandoned state penitentiary cellblock bathed in sunlight.
Shani Saxon  May 29, 2019 4:51PM EDT

How An Antiquated Reading of the Law Prevents the Formerly Incarcerated From Voting in Georgia

State officials maintain a strict interpretation of the law, which prevents voting by anyone convicted of a “felony involving moral turpitude.”
Three black women two of whom are wearing sunglasses one of whom is wearing glasses cheer at a rally
catherine lizette gonzalez  May 29, 2019 7:39AM EDT

Black Census Project Reveals Electorate's Concerns—and Power

More than half of the 30,000+ survey participants said that politicians do not care about them or their interests.
Black man wearing blue shirt and black glasses sits with his hands folded.
Shani Saxon  May 22, 2019 5:50PM EDT

Second Chance Pell Experiment Expands Education Behind Bars

The program provides need-based grants to people incarcerated in state and federal prisons so that they can take college courses.
Silhouette of a woman carrying a toddler with a child who appears between five and six years old walking to her left they are all facing an opening that peers at a car on a driveway
catherine lizette gonzalez  May 20, 2019 5:06PM EDT

REPORT: 4 Strategies to Eliminate the Harmful Effects of Systemic Racism

A new study from Urban Institute gathers insights from leading policymakers, advocates and experts to present ways to imagine a future without the dangerous, long-term consequences of structural racism.
Andrew Gillum. A Black man wearing a dark suit and black-rimmed eyeglasses.
 May 14, 2019 5:31PM EDT

READ: Andrew Gillum Slams Florida Leaders for Taxing Formerly Incarcerated at the Polls

The former mayor of Tallahassee says a bill that effectively rolls back the language of Florida’s Amendment 4 is “unworthy of the governor’s signature.”
Illustration. Black woman with Afro black turtle neck and sign saying "we're bailing out Black mothers..."
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  May 10, 2019 11:35AM EDT

Activists Organize to Bail Out Black Mamas for Mother's Day

In more than two dozen cities across the country, mothers who cannot afford bail are getting help to get home.
Shani Saxon  May 7, 2019 4:00PM EDT

Sandra Bland's Family Wants Case Reopened After New Arrest Video Surfaces

Bland’s personal cellphone footage of the violent encounter was uncovered by a local Dallas news station.
Black handcuffs
Shani Saxon  Apr 25, 2019 10:56AM EDT

Advocacy Groups Call Out Discriminatory Practices in Federal Employment

The ACLU and the Leadership Conference Education Fund urge the Office of Personnel Management to remove job application questions that they say would negatively impact people with arrest records.
Caron Butler. A Black man, side profile, talking while driving,
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 23, 2019 4:49PM EDT

New Documentary Explores Racism in the War on Drugs

Caron Butler’s “The Green Dream” shines a light on the devastation faced by Black and Latinx people who are criminalized for marijuana in record numbers.
An old, abandoned state penitentiary cellblock bathed in sunlight.
Shani Saxon  Apr 23, 2019 11:36AM EDT

Study Q&A: Report Examines Dangerous Effects of Pretrial Detention

Colorlines talked to the authors—who hail from Vera Institute of Justice and MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge—about the report’s findings.
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.