Vanguard social justice articles involving criminal justice reform
Nakia Porter and her father, J.B. Powell, have finalized a $17 million settlement with Solano County in an excessive force lawsuit stemming from an incident in August 2020 in which Porter was beaten unconscious by deputies while her children looked on.
The second trial for former correctional officer Darrell Smith ended in a mistrial, with the federal government considering reopening the women’s prison for ICE detention, while community members continue to oppose the plan.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has been making progress in improving the city’s cleanliness, affordability, and community events, while also addressing historical inequities and preparing for Super Bowl 60.
North Carolina lawmakers are set to consider legislation to roll back cash bail reform, while Texas is also considering legislation to limit pretrial release and ban cash bail for certain violent offenses.
ICE agents carried out an illegal and unprecedented arrest inside an Alameda County courthouse on Sept. 15, sparking fear among immigrants who worry about attending future court hearings, in violation of California’s 2019 law prohibiting civil arrests in courthouses.
A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative reveals that youth of color with disabilities are disproportionately subject to physical assault by staff while incarcerated, highlighting the need for decarceration efforts to prioritize the most marginalized youth.
The federal government should not use the National Guard to enforce law and order, as it is ineffective, potentially illegal, and risks undermining community trust and civil liberties, and instead should focus on evidence-based, tailored approaches to public safety.
ATLANTA — The American Civil Liberties Union reports that Emmy Award-winning journalist Mario Guevara faces imminent deportation…
The Prison Policy Initiative has released a report showing that neurodivergent youth are disproportionately confined and experience higher rates of assault by staff, and are more likely to be funneled into the criminal legal system than receive the care they need.
Yolo County prosecutors are opposing California’s compassionate release law, which provides a humane safeguard for terminally ill or permanently incapacitated people, while advocates argue that it is necessary to protect public health and dignity.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice indicted former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday evening, acting on…
The ACLU, along with unions, clinics and law firms, filed a class-action lawsuit challenging widespread violations of due process for immigrants detained by ICE, alleging that immigrants are being misclassified and denied bond, leading to long-term incarceration or disappearances.
California’s “second look” resentencing reforms have resulted in low rates of reoffending and have saved the state money, with long-serving individuals released under these policies having remarkably low recidivism rates.
The Trump administration has declared parts of the U.S.-Mexico border region as “National Defense Areas”, giving the Department of Defense new enforcement powers and potentially leading to federal trespassing charges for those who enter the areas, blurring the line between law enforcement and the military.
Autism advocacy groups, exonerees, and experts are urging Texas to halt the October 16 execution of Robert Roberson, an Autistic man convicted under the discredited “Shaken Baby Syndrome” hypothesis, citing overwhelming medical evidence that his daughter died from illness, improperly prescribed medications, and accident.
Maurice Hastings, who spent 38 years in prison before being exonerated, has been awarded a $25 million settlement from the city of Inglewood in the largest wrongful conviction settlement in California history.
Pamela Price Unfiltered discusses the fight for housing, justice, and truth in Oakland with activist Stone Ramsey, and breaks down the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that allows cities to criminalize homelessness.
Despite Department of Justice findings of abuse and promises of change, MPD is illegally withholding records the public needs to hold them accountable and is refusing to turn over public records it is legally required to provide.
The Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) criticized Oakland City Councilmember Charlene Wang and the Oakland NAACP for partnering with the Oakland Police Department (OPD) to boost recruitment efforts, arguing that it is a misguided and dangerous move that ignores the city’s financial constraints and the community’s long struggle with police misconduct.
The US incarcerates women at higher rates than nearly every country in the world, with South Dakota having the highest rate, surpassing every country in the world.