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News Articles: Criminal Justice Reform

Alice Marie Johnson, who had her sentence commuted by President Donald Trump after she served 21 years in prison for cocaine trafficking, speaks during a celebration of the First Step Act in the East Room of the White House Apr. 1, 2019.

Tagged as: 

  • National

Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?

Johnson, now 69, was facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for being a first-time nonviolent drug offender.

February 25, 2025
|
By:
  • Chandelis Duster
Kim Kardashian met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss criminal justice reform.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Kim Kardashian visits the White House to highlight criminal justice reform

Vice President Harris and Kardashian are meeting with four people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who received pardons this week from President Biden.

April 25, 2024
|
By:
  • Deepa Shivaram
A sign marks an entrance to the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington, Jan. 23, 2023. The Justice Department proposed changes Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, to rules governing state-run programs that provide financial assistance to violent crime victims in order to address racial disparities and curb the number of subjective denials of compensation.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Justice Department proposes major changes to address disparities in state crime victim funds

The Justice Department has proposed changes to rules governing state-run programs that provide financial assistance to violent crime victims in order to address racial disparities and curb the number of subjective denials of compensation.

February 05, 2024
|
By:
  • Associated Press
President Biden speaks to reporters in Milwaukee before boarding Air Force One on Wednesday. The president announced Friday he would expand pardons for simple marijuana possession.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Biden expands pardons for marijuana possession and grants clemency to 11

President Biden commuted the sentences for 11 individuals serving time for nonviolent drug offenses. He also expanded pardons for the offense of simple marijuana possession and use under federal law.

December 22, 2023
|
By:
  • Deepa Shivaram
Jason Sheffield of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Tagged as: 

  • News

The ripple effects of Georgia's public defender shortage

A shortage of public defenders in Georgia is leaving attorneys overburdened and those accused of crimes waiting for a proper defense. Some public defender advocates say its time for the state to fund them properly.

February 17, 2023
|
By:
  • Peter Biello
Qualified Nurses are in High Demand Across Georgia

Tagged as: 

  • Law

Georgia lawmakers plan to ease path to occupational license for workers with criminal records

Dozens of job opportunities might open up for people with criminal records if a legislative push successfully removes barriers for professional licenses that are required for one out of every seven jobs in Georgia.

January 11, 2023
|
By:
  • Stanley Dunlap

Tagged as: 

  • Law

Coastal Georgia's Chatham County joins other localities focused on ‘fines and fees justice’

The Savannah area could serve as a model for reform across Georgia, a state which relies heavily on fines and fees for local revenues.

August 16, 2022
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Now Hiring sign

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Criminal justice reform efforts in Georgia Legislature collide with back-the-blue mood

 

Criminal justice reform advocates in Georgia want to build on recent momentum with new legislation to remove barriers that make people with criminal records five times more likely to be jobless than Georgians overall.

January 31, 2022
|
By:
  • Stanley Dunlap
Frances Jones

Tagged as: 

  • News

‘I Need To Be Able To Vote’: Probation Law Opens New Pool Of Voters

A new law passed by the Georgia General Assembly last session creates a pathway to early felony probation termination that, advocates say, will ease individuals reentry back into daily life and give a voice to many previously disenfranchised.

July 22, 2021
|
By:
  • Riley Bunch
Kareemah Hanifa

Tagged as: 

  • Law

‘Second Chance’ Law Takes Effect, Offers Hope To Georgians With Criminal Past

Georgia Senate Bill 288, known as the “second-chance law,” passed in June in the Georgia state senate, allowing for the expansion of expungement to those who have committed nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. 

January 01, 2021
|
By:
  • Eva Rothenberg
Myon Burrell was released from Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, Tuesday, following a vote by Minnesota's pardon board commuting his sentence. Burrell, who is Black, was sent to prison for life as a teen in a high-profile murder case that raised questions about the integrity of the criminal justice system that put him away.

Tagged as: 

  • Law

Minnesota Commutes Life Sentence Of Man Convicted As Teen Of Shooting 11-Year-Old

Myon Burrell's release at age 34 comes after reports uncovered major flaws in the police investigation that led to his life sentence at 17.

December 16, 2020
|
By:
  • Vanessa Romo
The Louisiana Supreme Court building is pictured in New Orleans. Fair Wayne Bryant was convicted in 1997 of stealing hedge clippers and sentenced to life.

Tagged as: 

  • Law

Black Man Serving Life Sentence For Stealing Hedge Clippers Granted Parole

Fair Wayne Bryant had committed four felonies over the two decades leading up to his 1997 theft of hedge clippers. His parole follows a failed bid for the state Supreme Court to review his sentence.

October 18, 2020
|
By:
  • Matthew S. Schwartz
In this March 31, 2009, file photo, Connecticut guard Renee Montgomery brings the ball up during the second half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament regional final against Arizona State in Trenton, N.J.

Trio Of Former UConn Greats Leading Social Justice Charge

Renee Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes appreciated what former UConn teammate Maya Moore was doing when the All-Star forward stepped away from basketball...

July 02, 2020
|
By:
  • Associated Press
Sandra Barnhill is the founder of the Atlanta nonprofit, Foreverfamily. The organization helps strengthen the bonds between children and parents who are incarcerated.

Tagged as: 

  • Family

Foreverfamily Head Says Children Of Incarcerated Parents Shouldn't Be 'Collateral Damage'

A recent report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that almost 200,000 children in Georgia have an incarcerated parent. Georgia also has the highest...

March 26, 2019
|
By:
  • Elena Rivera and
  • Virginia Prescott

GPB Midday Headlines For Thursday Dec. 13, 2018

Sen. Perdue Says He Supports Criminal Justice Reform Bill Three Columbus Area Companies Announce Layoffs Just Before Holiday Augusta Crime Sweep Nets 27...

December 13, 2018
|
By:
  • Drew Dawson
  • Load More

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