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'Girls who leave militias get rejected': helping child soldiers go home

Lucy Lamble

August 15, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Enrolling in school can help former girl soldiers reintegrate into society. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Child Soldiers International interviewed community members and former soldiers, and then shared this finding with local organizations to guide programming.

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At This Prison, Puppies and Inmates Give Each Other Purpose

Hallie Steiner

August 15, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York

Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in upstate New York has implemented a program that pairs puppies with inmates, offering a sense of purpose for both the dog and human. The inmates are tasked with training the puppies to become service animals, which when complete, allows the dogs to go to emergency responders and veterans suffering from PTSD.

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Grassroots Organizations Are Leading the Way on Criminal Justice Reform

Danielle Ziegelheim

August 14, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Local groups in cities like St. Louis and New York are organizing to reform the criminal justice system, pushing for policies that reinstate voting rights for formerly incarcerated people, changing punishments for non-violent crimes, and in some cases, eliminating jails altogether. The local know-how and pressure is creating results, and that, along with the funding and assistance that national organizations can bring, is a model for how advocates for criminal justice reform can change the system.

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How tough-on-crime Texas lowered its prison population and what Oklahoma can learn from it

Justin Wingerter

August 12, 2018 |

The Oklahoman |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

In 2007, Texas prisons were near capacity and half a billion dollars was needed to build three new prisons. Instead, the state became a model for conservative-led criminal sentencing reform by changing a host of laws to send many fewer people to prison in the first place. By spending half of the savings on drug and alcohol treatment, among other services, the state focused on solving people's underlying problems rather than always punishing behavior after the fact.

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Parenting From Prison, Inside Out

Lisa Bartfai R.J. Lozada Sylvia Ryerson

August 09, 2018 |

Making Contact |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Concord, New Hampshire

Two programs called FamilyWorks and the Storybook Program aim to improve the relationship between those who are incarcerated and their families. FamilyWorks conducts parenting classes and other education for inmates who may not know how to build a relationship with their children while in prison. Storybook offers inmates the chance to record themselves reading books to send along to their children. Inmates say that both programs taught them a lot and that they are better people for it.

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Despite spike in shootings, a Chicago community gets a handle on violence

Nissa Rhee

August 08, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has seen a decline in violence, and one neighborhood in particular has led the way, nearly halving its shootings and homicides. Police in Englewood have changed how they work with the community and where they send officers, focusing on the places and people experiencing the most violence, informed by data and surveillance systems. Community organizations are also providing job training, services and counseling to those most likely to be caught up in the violence.

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How Can America Reduce Mass Incarceration?

Terry Gross

August 06, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

A community court program in Newark, New Jersey provides alternative sentencing options for low-level offenders rather than jail or release that include getting help for mental health issues and addiction. It's part of a multi-state effort by the Center for Court Innovation to address that high rates of incarceration in the U.S. by addressing the criminalization of behaviors that are usually driven by other underlying factors such poverty, addiction and homelessness.

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An innovative approach to criminal justice reform: Put black women in charge

Timothy Pratt

August 03, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Fulton, Georgia

South Fulton is the only city in the U.S. to put black women in charge of its criminal justice system—from the judge, to the prosecutor, to the public defender. “The result: A focus on community policing, pretrial diversion programs and assigning public defenders to all cases.” Ultimately, the aim is to divert black people from entering the prison pipeline, and establishing a model that can be replicated in other cities.

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Expungement fairs build regional momentum while helping locals move past criminal backgrounds

Brianna Kelly

August 01, 2018 |

Concentrate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Michigan Works! Southeast is an organization that, among other things, is helping Michigan residents with criminal records get those records expunged in order to increase their job opportunities in the future. By simplifying this process, participants save money and time, making these fairs a more accessible option than using a lawyer. So far, two expungement fairs have been held that have attracted about 50 people, but there is talk of expanding to a statewide program.

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Philanthropic horticulturists and other prison community leaders

Anne Hillman

August 01, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

At Spring Creek Correctional Center, profits from the prison store are shared among seven prison clubs. The clubs operate like nonprofits, bringing educational opportunities, music, plants, and more to inmates and donating extra funds to organizations on the outside. The system improves quality of life and offers leadership opportunities.

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