Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page August 29, 2018 The United States has less than 5 percent of the world’s population, but nearly a quarter of the world’s prisoners. Our prison population rate is six times higher than Canada’s and five times higher than England’s. Racial disparities are stark, and the cost of incarceration is huge — some $80 billion per year.Clearly, something is amiss with our criminal justice system. But what to do?For years, the public conversation has focused on improving police-community relations and softening harsh sentencing laws. And both are worthy endeavors. But for too long we have ignored the single most powerful actor in the system — the prosecutor. Advertisement Prosecutors have enormous discretion. If they accept a case, they must decide whether to file charges or seek an alternative resolution, like restitution or diversion to drug … [Read more...] about Endorsement: Rachael Rollins and Donna Patalano would lead on criminal justice reform
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Millions are caught up in America’s criminal-justice system ‘because they’re poor’
Jonathan Capehart, The Washington Post Published 8:23 am PDT, Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Photo: The Washington Post Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Logo for Cape Up podcast Logo for Cape Up podcast Photo: The Washington Post Millions are caught up in America's criminal-justice system 'because they're poor' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery "The problem we have now is we think prison is the only way to hold people accountable when they break the law." When Karol Mason was assistant attorney general under then-President Barack Obama, she ran the Office of Justice Program that worked with state and local law enforcement agencies as well as crime victims. Also under her purview was the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which does statistical work and research work for the Justice Department. Today, Mason is the president of … [Read more...] about Millions are caught up in America’s criminal-justice system ‘because they’re poor’
An Unlike Partnership: Stacey Abrams, T.I. discuss business, politics and criminal justice
Stacey Abrams, Clifford “TI” Harris discuss business, politics and criminal justice. Photo by Reginald Duncan. Entertainers – who often reflect the projections of the community – and politicians – who are tasked with creating policy and upholding laws – do not often see eye to eye. Quite frankly, the conversation between politicians and entertainers has been one of controversy and debate. Seldom have American audiences witnessed a successful discussion between the two worlds. This Monday, The Gathering Spot’s co-founder and CEO Ryan Wilson moderated an intimate conversation between Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and Atlanta rapper/actor Clifford “T.I.” Harris. Over a conversation that took its turns through topics including business ownership, education, gentrification, and mass incarceration, audience members lauded a discussion that seemed genuine, valuable, and effectively delivered, punctuated with a standing … [Read more...] about An Unlike Partnership: Stacey Abrams, T.I. discuss business, politics and criminal justice
Sharif Street is on a mission for criminal justice reform
State Sen. Sharif Street lives a block from the North Philadelphia house he and his three siblings grew up in at 18th and Diamond Streets. He recalls being dropped off for first grade the first year his father, former Mayor John F. Street, started on City Council, 1980. He went to Central High School, then Morehouse College, where he was president of the student senate and an Academic All-American track and field athlete. His best event was steeplechase. He graduated cum laude. He got his law degree at Penn. He practiced law in Philly for 18 years with firms including Zarwin Baum and the former Wolf Block. He and his wife, April, a Realtor, have five children ranging in age from 15 to 22. Three are in college. He’s 44, a freshman Democrat, elected in 2016. His Senate district, which he describes as shaped “like a man signaling for a touchdown,” runs roughly up North Broad from Poplar to the city line. He’s currently traveling the state pushing … [Read more...] about Sharif Street is on a mission for criminal justice reform
RAND PAUL TO ADD EDUCATION REFORM TO CRIMINAL-JUSTICE PITCH: ‘a third way’ — TOP 7 CANDIDATES to host ‘Meet’ — PAUL RYAN PROPOSES Opportunity Grants — ANDREA PURSE takes Dag job at White House
EXCLUSIVE – Rand courts African Americans, adding education push to criminal-justice reform – Talks of a “third way”: Sen. Rand Paul, as part of a methodical effort to reach beyond the Republican base, will use a speech tomorrow to the National Urban League to unveil a major push on education reform, which he said will include “school choice, vouchers, charter schools, you name it -- I think we need innovation.” Paul, reaching out to youthful and minority audiences as he builds toward a likely 2016 presidential campaign, talked privacy in Berkeley in March, and earlier this month began an effort to make criminal-justice and sentencing reform one of his signature issues. The senator said in an interview that he will preview his education plans while in Cincinnati for the Urban League’s annual conference, which this year has the theme, “One Nation Underemployed: Bridges to Jobs and Justice.” Story Continued Below “I'll say … [Read more...] about RAND PAUL TO ADD EDUCATION REFORM TO CRIMINAL-JUSTICE PITCH: ‘a third way’ — TOP 7 CANDIDATES to host ‘Meet’ — PAUL RYAN PROPOSES Opportunity Grants — ANDREA PURSE takes Dag job at White House