Even though many older Republicans built their careers on harsh drug sentencing, there is a movement among many on the right, young and old, to take another look at unfair sentencing, mandatory minimums, and the vast number of federal crimes on the books. This goes hand in hand with the beliefs of many Democrats in Congress, which has turned prison reform into a leading bipartisan issue.

While crime rates did go down after harsh sentences were implemented in the 1980s, experts now believe this was due more to the coincidence of a strong economy and less due to the changes in sentencing made at that time. The number of bills currently being discussed that were introduced or cosponsored by Republicans is strong evidence of the new bipartisan movement to reform prisons.

Will cooperation in Congress be enough to create change? Read more at thehill.com

In the aftermath of the fallout over conditions at Rikers Island, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council enacted new legislation recently that includes requiring the Department of Corrections to provide quarterly reports detailing the number of inmates in solitary confinement, the length of each stay, and whether or not inmates were assaulted or injured during these episodes.

While de Blasio believes the new regulations will be more effective in managing jails and addressing problems that have been plaguing the system, advocates are concerned that the legislation does not contain provisions that would directly curb guard brutality or ban the practice of solitary confinement as punishment.

Is it too little too late? Read more at nytimes.com

Who knows the layout of a prison better than the inmates who reside there? A new program asked prisoners to design their their ideal prison, and when the models were all planned and built, there were some innovative and thoughtful additions to the traditional prison formulas. Would these fresh ideas from the inside improve the climate for all?

Find out at redding.com

One of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice is recidivism, a person’s relapse into criminal behavior, usually after they have served a sentence or other form of rehabilitation. In this video from Northwestern’s Medill Newsmakers, Vanessa Beene explains the causes and popular solutions for battling this issue.

See the full video at northwestern.edu

 

In this recently updated paper, decades of data are analyzed to give a better picture of what occurs when federal mandates are undertaken by individual states,  with the greater question of whether courts should intervene to protect the well-being of the disfranchised, by forcing states to improve schools, prisons, and mental institutions. The finding suggests that court ordered prison reforms do cause more funds to flow into the system while the number of prisoners per capita decreases. However, the research also shows that this extra money most often causes spending cuts to another vulnerable population. What is the right price to pay for prison reform?

Read the full paper at oxfordjournals.org

Prisons in Latin America are known for their overcrowding, poor conditions, and a near-complete lack of reform, but a recent report from the US State Department shows that Costa Rica stands out as an example of positive change. While prisons in the country are still overcrowded, they are significantly less so than other neighboring countries. An external oversight group protects Costa Rican inmates, and helps to keep gang activity down and human rights protected.

While there is much work to be done creating non-abusive prisons with a focus on rehabilitation in Latin America, as well as for reforming harsh drug laws and reducing overcrowding, Costa Rica has taken a few steps in the right direction, leading the region in its efforts to provide services and safety to its prisoners and citizens. Will reforms continue? Will other nearby countries follow in Costa Rica’s footsteps?

Read more at csmonitor.com

In her review of Mass Incarceration on Trial: A Remarkable Court Decision and the Future of Prisons in America by Jonathan Simon, Lauren-Brooke Eisen finds that one of the central themes of the book is “a concept that seems to have eluded our nation, as it has become commonplace to stuff prisoners in prisons that lack enough beds, proper health care, and even a modicum of dignity.” Few would consider a prison sentence a dignified experience, but for most, Mass Incarceration on Trial will shed light on exactly how un-dignified life can be for a modern American prisoner.

Simon discusses at length the conditions and suffering many inmates suffer on a daily basis, also discussing recent cases and decisions such as Brown v. Plata, the U.S. Supreme Court mandate that has greatly reduced California’s prison populations. Eisen summarizes, “while the book reads like an extension of a lengthy law review article at times, it is remarkable for its examination of important cases asserting violations of Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights for mentally ill prisoners.”

Valuable for both average citizens and those working for prison reform, Mass Incarceration on Trial has it all – from historical perspective to current laws and practices to thoughts of a brighter future for prisons, while always keeping an eye on the human element.

Read the full review at brennancenter.org

In this New Republic video, watch Van Jones (of CNN’s Crossfire) explain why prison reform is on the cusp of breaking into the mainstream and why even Newt Gingrich, a fellow Crossfire personality, is advocating for reform. With several bipartisan efforts currently in the house and senate as well as growing political and public pressure to reform, Jones’ opinion is shared by more citizens and lawmakers every day. Will prison reform be the next mainstream issue in America? Will a divided congress choose to act on it?

See the video at newrepublic.com

The Director of the Justice Policy Center of the Urban Institute, Nancy G zovirax 800 mg. La Vigne, Ph.D., recently spoke before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations to share lessons learned from individual states undergoing their own prison reforms. Backed by the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) State Assessment Report, which highlights the experiences of 17 states, La Vigne showed how many of the states studied have slowed prison growth, reduced overcrowding, and saved taxpayers money without sacrificing public safety, with other states projected to do so as well. Crime rates have continued to decline in almost all states that have reduced their prison populations. The report shows that successful states share four characteristics that include responsible reforms and bipartisan support.

Will initiatives that work on a state level translate into successful federal reform?

Read the CPR summary and the full statement

US Sentencing Commission Staff is holding a briefing for the sentencing advocacy community on their priorities for the 2014-15 Amendment Cycle. This is not a meeting on amendment-specific proposals, but rather an opportunity to speak generally with staff on the Commission’s new priorities.

The briefing on the priorities will take place on Wednesday, September 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Commission’s offices at the Thurgood Marshall Judiciary Building, One Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2500, Washington, DC 20002.

Please let Kira Antell know if you or others in your office plan to attend the briefing so building access can be properly arranged.

Read the full list of priority Amendments at ussc.gov