Topic: Criminal Justice Reform
Guest Commentary: My Message For Joe Biden
The Abolitionist Law Center’s executive director met with members of the Biden administration in D.C. this week. Here’s his advice for how the president can change his mass incarceration rep
By Robert Saleem HolbrookGuest Commentary: Treat Kids in the Juvenile Justice System as … Kids
Two Philadelphia women incarcerated in their mid-teens ask for support for comprehensive juvenile justice reform bill that has lingered too long in Harrisburg
By Aqilah David and Alexandria RiveraIs the Tide Turning on Larry Krasner?
The progressive prosecutor movement is losing momentum. Its poster boy may have to adjust to a new political zeitgeist
By Larry PlattSentences for the Sentenced
West Philly non-profit Books Through Bars has provided the incarcerated with books for more than 30 years. Now, with growing inaccessibility, its work is needed more than ever
By Norah RamiA “Wake Up Call” on Guns
A District Attorney diversion program is offering a second chance to those with no prior convictions and whose only crime was having an unlicensed gun. It aims to work around a state law that treats Philadelphians more harshly than other Pennsylvanians
By Mensah M. DeanThe Citizen Recommends: Pardon Me
Shuja Moore’s short film about the benefits — to all of us — of pardons for returning citizens screens Monday in West Philly
By Rachel WisniewskiCITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Robert Saleem Holbrook
The A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Social Justice Champion spent 27 years in prison before a Supreme Court ruling set him free. Now, he teaches about criminal justice at Penn and heads the Abolitionist Law Center
By Jessica Blatt PressWhy Is Tyree Wallace Still in Prison?
Despite high-profile efforts of advocates like sports reporter Michael Barkann, the Point Breeze native has spent 26 years imprisoned for a murder witnesses say he didn’t commit. That hasn’t stopped the citizen activist from serving others
By Christina GriffithGuest Commentary: Reform in Name Only
A formerly incarcerated abolitionist and Penn law lecturer responds to a Citizen article and explains opposition to the bipartisan probation reform bill headed for a vote in the state legislature
By Robert Saleem HolbrookA Criminal Justice Success Story? Right here in Philly?
Since 2016, Philadelphia’s volunteer-based Safety and Justice Challenge Community Advisory Council has helped the City reduce its jail population and recidivism rates — while increasing equity. Here’s how they’ve done it
By Courtney DuChene