Criminal Justice / Public News Service

There are around 1.5 million children, or 1 in 49, living with a parent in prison, according to the advocacy group Prison Fellowship. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, February 6, 2025

KY lawmakers propose alternatives to incarceration for primary caregivers

A bill introduced by Kentucky lawmakers would increase alternatives to prison or jail for parents convicted of nonviolent offenses. Most of the …

In 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the U.S. Constitution generally permits states to strip people convicted of felonies of their right to vote. (Pexels)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

MS advocates fight on after Supreme Court upholds voting ban

Mississippi voting rights advocates said their fight is not over, even after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the state's …

Federal data show New Mexico has the third-highest property crime rate in the United States. (Nats/Adobe Stock-AI enhanced)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Governor urges NM lawmakers to address crime

Reducing crime and improving public safety are among this year's priorities for New Mexico's governor, who has called the state's crime rate "out of …

One of the biggest challenges for Pennsylvania's indigent defense community is attracting and hiring qualified public defenders. (Thanksforbuying/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Public defender shortage in PA sparks hiring push

More than 60 counties in Pennsylvania have a shortage of public defenders for low-income residents who need these services. This Friday in …

Americans lost more than $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, the most recent FBI data available. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

NE lawmakers look at tougher regulation of 'crypto kiosks'

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to implement consumer protections and license requirements for the cryptocurrency industry, and they're …

Moore says we should not make peace with the moral or fiscal cost of not addressing gun violence as a public health issue. A single homicide in Wisconsin costs taxpayers $2 million per incident and a single non-fatal shooting costs $644,000. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Experts hope WI’s first state violence prevention office will save lives

Support for Governor Tony Evers's first statewide Office of Violence Prevention is gaining momentum, as some safety experts and advocates say they're …

Since 2000, the number of prisoners in Alabama over 60 increased from 85 to more than 2,300. (Katerina Bond/Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates call on AL lawmakers for prison reform

With the new legislative session getting underway next week, advocates are calling attention to conditions inside Alabama's prisons. The state's …

Some Hoosiers warned changes to House Bill 1393 might unintentionally affect people who are arrested without an ID at hand. (Adobe stock)

Indiana pushes notification law for immigration arrests

Indiana lawmakers are advancing a bill which would require police to notify federal authorities about certain arrests. House Bill 1393 moved forward …

Numerous studies have shown immigrants are far less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado legislators stand up for immigrants

As President Donald Trump makes good on his promises for mass deportation, some Colorado lawmakers are standing up to protect immigrant families now …

Research firms said staffing shortages and not enough technology upgrades are making it harder for state and local governments to keep up with fraudsters eyeing services funded by taxpayers. (Adobe Stock)

SD among states debating tricky issue of combating government fraud

A South Dakota legislative committee Monday debated proposals designed to help combat government fraud and there were clear differences of opinion on …

The CDC says guns are the leading cause of death for American children. That fact has kept calls for restricting firearms and gun safety as major rallying cries for advocacy groups. (Adobe Stock)

Under Trump, how will gun violence prevention fare?

President Donald Trump has been busy signing executive orders since his inauguration. Gun violence prevention advocates in Minnesota hope he isn't …

Research shows counties with higher levels of immigration enforcement experience persistent reductions in the construction workforce, residential homebuilding and increases in home prices. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME faith leader responds to new immigration directive

Faith leaders nationwide are pushing back against President Donald Trump's assertion that churches are no longer considered safe spaces for undocument…

Wyoming's House Bill 62 would amend the crimes of prostitution and solicitation to include acts of sexual contact. The state remains one of few in the country to approve criminalizing child survivors of trafficking, according to Shared Hope International. (Adobe Stock)

WY energy industry has opportunity to track down human traffickers

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and educators are training workers in key industries to recognize and report the crime…

The United States makes up roughly 4% of the world's population but holds an estimated 40% of the world's life-sentenced population, according to The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky sees increase in life without parole sentences

Kentucky has seen one of the largest percent increases in its incarcerated population serving life without parole sentences. According to a new …

University of North Texas students must be an approved volunteer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to take the class with incarcerated people at the Bridgeport Correctional Center. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

North TX college students participate in prison exchange program

University of North Texas students are participating in the national Inside Out Prison Exchange program. In its third year at the college, the …

Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, who authored the bill, said every year 101 young Hoosiers lose their lives to alcohol-related deaths. (Adobe stock)

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with plans to expand the state's Lifeline Law, which protects those seeking emergency help in alcohol-related …

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., showed several constituents the Capitol rotunda, which held Trump's inauguration. (Trimmel Gomes)

Trump pardons Capitol rioters, sparks rebuke over justice, law enforcement

In an effort to make up for President Donald Trump moving his inauguration indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, leaving many ticket holders to watch from …

Alabama's Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888, has identified 815 cases of human trafficking and 1,823 victims since its inception. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama takes action against human trafficking

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, spotlighting efforts to combat the crime. Human trafficking, the world's second-largest …

In 2024, Ohio's Human Trafficking Initiative created specialized resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on personal safety, healthy relationships and preventing exploitation.(design.designer/Adobe Stock)

Ohio takes action against human trafficking

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, spotlighting efforts to combat the crime. Human trafficking, the world's second-largest …

According to the Sentencing Project, the number of people serving life without parole is highest in Florida. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Florida leads nation in life sentences without parole as advocates push for reforms

Florida holds the highest number of people serving life sentences without parole in the country, with nearly 11,000 individuals behind bars …

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Justice reveals Mississippi has the highest incarceration rate in the US. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MS faces alarming racial disparities in life sentences

In Mississippi, where thousands of people are serving life sentences, the impact of long-term imprisonment falls disproportionately on Black …

A new service in North Carolina aims to ensure success for people reentering communities from jail or prison. (Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services)

First-of-its-kind recidivism reduction center goes mobile in NC

Services for North Carolinians affected by the justice system is going mobile. The Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services mobile resource …

President-elect Trump has vowed to conduct a mass deportation of more than 13 million immigrants but Massachusetts officials, including Gov. Maura Healy and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said they will not cooperate with federal authorities, nor will state or local police. (Adobe Stock).<br /><br /><br />

Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon

Southeast Asian refugees at risk of deportation in Massachusetts are asking President Biden to pardon them before he leaves office. Deportations …

Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's border czar, said he will begin mass deportations in Chicago when Trump takes office. (Adobe Stock)

Chicago’s sanctuary protections may end this week

A proposed amendment to strip Chicago of its sanctuary protections is scheduled to be voted on this week. The change to the Welcome City Ordinance …

Montana's Department of Justice opened 21 human trafficking investigations in 2024, which will be submitted for prosecution, according to the department. (Adobe Stock)

Energy industry new focus for human trafficking education

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and educators are training workers in key industries to recognize and report the crime…

The Arkansas legislators serving in this session took office following the 2024 elections. Republicans won a 29-6 majority in the Senate and an 81-19 majority in the House. (Adobe Stock)

AR's 95th legislative session begins today

Arkansas lawmakers are at the Capitol today for the start of the 95th Legislative session. Over the next 88 days, legislators will discuss more than 2…

Florida's 2018 Amendment 4 restored voting rights to individuals with felony convictions once they complete their sentence, except for those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses. (Adobe Stock)

FL League of Women Voters helps returning citizens restore voting rights

The League of Women Voters of Florida is taking a personal approach to restoring voting rights for returning citizens. The group is sending …

National reform groups say North Dakota is taking the right steps to improve public health outcomes for those within and without the criminal justice system, but they add a lot more work is needed. (Adobe Stock)

Jail overcrowding in ND elevates reform talk

North Dakota's county jails and state prisons have been bursting at the seams. Elected leaders are calling for meaningful solutions, with legal …

There are nearly 50,000 cryptocurrency kiosks across the country, up from just over 1,000 eight years ago. (Maksym/Adobe Stock)

Push to protect WA from crypto ATM scams

They may offer people a legitimate way to convert cash into cryptocurrency but crypto ATMs are also popular with scammers. Washington had the …

The Indiana 2023 Weighted Caseload Report found the Hoosier state has about 489 judicial officers but needs a slightly fewer number, 481. (Adobe stock)

Judicial shakeup ahead as Indiana reviews court resources

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

In South Dakota, 68% of missing persons are Native Americans even though they only make up 9% of the state's population. (Adobe Stock)

Resource gaps cloud efforts on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In South Dakota, the push to secure justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women remains …

FBI crime statistics show Jackson has the highest rate of violent crime in Mississippi. (Adobe Stock)

Operation Good: Community-first approach to curbing violence in Jackson

In Jackson, where violent crime rates have historically been high, a local organization called Operation Good is taking a proactive, community-driven …

Each year, gun violence claims the lives of 1,600 Pennsylvanians and injures another 3,000. (Roman/Adobe Stock)

PA gun safety advocates plan for stricter ghost-gun regulations

As the Pennsylvania House reconvenes this week, lawmakers will focus on regulating 3D-printed ghost guns. These untraceable firearms, like the one …

National studies show when people leave prison, they face a range of obstacles in advancing through the world of postsecondary education. Right off the bat, a key deterrent is an application question about their past criminal history. (Adobe Stock)

With college application change, MN aims to reduce higher-ed barriers

In the new year, college applications in Minnesota will look a little different: They will no longer feature an initial question about a person's …

Wisconsin municipal courts issued more than 27,000 arrest warrants and writs of commitment for people who failed to pay fines between Jan. 2023 and Aug. 2024, according to the ACLU of Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Some WI courts jailing people for unpaid tickets

If you have any unpaid traffic or parking tickets, the latest report on Wisconsin's municipal courts said in some areas, you could go to jail if you …

About 65,000 people are in federal prison for drug offenses. (Adobe Stock)

Clemency advocates call for broader action from Biden

In one of his final acts in the White House, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death-row convictions to life …

Oregon's public defense system is made up of nonprofit public defender organizations, consortia contracting with the state and individual contract attorneys. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

More funding needed to stem OR’s public defense ‘crisis’

Oregon's constitution guarantees criminal defendants a state-funded lawyer for those who cannot afford one but a massive shortage of public defenders …

Earlier this month, President Biden granted clemency to around 1,500 Americans, the largest single-day action in U.S. history, including sentence commutations for those successfully reintegrated after home confinement during COVID-19. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe)

Biden urged to take more immediate bold action on clemency

This week, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life sentences without parole. Groups …

According to FWD.US, there are more than 31,500 people in federal prison over age 50. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden’s death row commutes

In one of his final acts in the White House, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life …

USPS recommends deleting 'smishing' texts and blocking the senders.(WesSide/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians need to watch out for 'smishing' packages

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

To avoid phishing and smishing scams, more than 40 million people have already signed up for

USPS warns Coloradans to delete 'smishing' texts about packages

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

In 2024, there were 1,990 successful diversions of South Dakota youth from courts and detention, according to the state's Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. Of that total, 449 attempts were considered unsuccessful. (Adobe Stock)

A year of growth for juvenile diversion programs in SD

Nearly 2,000 South Dakota juveniles were successfully diverted from the state's court system this year, according to a new report. A 2024 law has …

In 2020, the Internet Crime Complaint Center reported more than 240 victims of phishing, smishing and other fraudulent schemes, resulting in losses exceeding $54 million. (EdvvinStudios/Adobe Stock)

Postal Service warns MI customers about smishing 'Grinches'

The United States Postal Service is warning Michiganders not to fall for what are known as smishing scams. These scams involve fraudulent text …

Six million U.S. students attend a school where there is a School Resource Officer but no school psychologist on staff, according to a Brookings Institution report. (Adobe Stock)

WV schools funnel more kids into juvenile justice system

West Virginia schools' reliance on zero-tolerance policies are driving more kids into the juvenile justice system - with lifelong consequences…

The USPS says texts with questionable tracking information and clickable links should be avoided in order to prevent scammers from gaining personal information. (Rokas/Adobe Stock)

USPS warns AR residents to be aware of 'smishing' scams

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, nearly 55% of male inmates are Black, 32% are white, and less than 1% are Asian, Hispanic or Indigenous. (Adobe Stock)

IL justice-involved study shows demographic imbalance

Data show troubling disparities on the number of justice-involved individuals within the Illinois Department of Corrections. Pew Research figures …

USPS warns NM customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

Many folks are still expecting holiday packages this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for what are known …

The U.S. is home to more than 408,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education. Less than 1,000 undocumented students graduate from New Hampshire high schools each year, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. (Adobe Stock)

Mass deportations could spur economic losses on par with Great Recession

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte says she will support President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrant…

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