Justice Policy Institute

Great overview of the many problems in the juvenile justice system by @lastweektonight.com. At JPI, we are working to increase pre-trial diversion and bring an end to harsh sentencing, solitary confinement and the overrepresentation of black youth in the criminal legal system.

🌷May is #MentalHealthAwareness Month! 👀

🚨Today, more people diagnosed with mental illnesses are in jails & prisons than in treatment centers.

Stay tuned throughout the month 📆 for more on the link between mental illness and the #CriminalJustice system.

#MentalHealthMatters

Earlier today, two reforms that JPI advocated for became law! 🎉

Maryland @govwesmoore.bsky.social signed the Second Look Act, which allows certain individuals to petition for a sentencing review, and a bill to expand geriatric & medical parole.

What a great way to celebrate #SecondChance Month!

The never-ending sentence: How parole and probation fuel mass incarceration For the more than 3 million Americans on probation or parole, rules and regulations often serve as hidden traps to reincarceration.

🚨 #Probation & #parole should support individuals as they reintegrate into society, but instead, it increases their risk of #reincarceration.

Instead of setting them up to fail, we must provide real support & resources.🛤️✨

#SecondChanceMonth

📖 Read more: theconversation.com/the-never-en...

Oklahoma has done nothing to reverse course on wrongful criminal convictions | Opinion Despite the number of cases marred by official misconduct, hurting innocent families, the State of Oklahoma has done nothing to correct course.

🚨 Since 1989, 46 people in #Oklahoma have been #exonerated . . . after serving a combined 465 years for #WrongfulConvictions.

#ProscutorialMisconduct and a flawed #appeal process destroy innocent lives. It’s time for reform. ⚖️

🔗 Read more: www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...

South Carolina inmate executed by firing squad for first time in US since 2010 | CNN A convicted double murderer has been executed by firing squad, the first such execution in the United States since 2010, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

After dedicating his life to faith and service during his 23 years on #DeathRow, #BradSigmon was #executed by #FiringSquad last week.

#CapitalPunishment is always brutal. It's time to abolish 🚫 the #DeathPenalty.

www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/u...

All of us at JPI are so saddened to hear of Grant's passing. He was a wonderful colleague and friend who contributed so much to our mutual efforts on harm reduction, drug policy, and reentry supports for returning citizens. He will be dearly missed. Rest in Power, Grant.

Federal bill would cut DC budget by $1 billion, force layoffs, officials say D.C. could be forced to lay off first responders, police officers, teachers and others if a GOP-proposed spending bill is approved, city leaders said.

🚨 D.C. faces a $1 billion budget cut as Republicans attempt to seize fiscal control over a progressive city that overwhelmingly rejects their agenda.

We must demand that Congress keeps its hands off D.C. and reject authoritarian agendas.

Read more: 🔗 www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/f...

Entire D.C. government urges GOP to reverse course on ‘devastating’ $1B cuts The mayor and D.C. Council warned that the city would have to find over $1 billion in immediate, across-the-board cuts impacting every area of D.C. government if the bill passes.

📢Congress is attempting to overturn DC's already-approved budget midway through the fiscal year, treating D.C. like a federal agency rather than a city of 700,000 residents.

Read more: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

House Republicans want to force D.C. to cut roughly $1 billion of its own budget GOP lawmakers in Congress are proposing treating the city like a federal agency in their latest spending bill.

🚨Congress votes TODAY on $1 billion budget cuts that slash DC's already-approved budget.

This Republican power grab is detrimental to the DC community and sets the stage for future retribution against progressive cities.

Read more: www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...

Statement from President Joe Biden on Clemency Actions | The White House America is a country built on the promise of second chances. As President, I have used my clemency power to make that promise a reality by issuing more

Today is a day of healing and hope!

Kemba Smith has been pardoned & Michelle West received commutation—a recognition of their resilience, courage, & transformation.

Their stories inspire so many, a testament to advocacy & justice rooted in compassion✨

📣 POTUS pardons nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses!

"Acknowledging the past is essential for building a just future. This act begins to challenge the inequities rooted in decades of failed drug policies" - JPI ED, Jasmine Tyler

🌟 Advocating for Education & Second Chances

Yesterday, we joined the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy’s Day for All People in Richmond to push for expanding access to higher education in Virginia’s prisons.

📸 Check out highlights from this inspiring day of action!

A year after Pell Grant reinstatement for incarcerated students, the promise of higher education in prison is transforming lives.

Explore our blog, "The Promise of Higher Education in Prison: Pell Grant Reinstatement, 1 Year Later," to see the impact!

🔗 justicepolicy.medium.com/the-promise-...

💡 Did you know that expanding access to higher education in prisons reduces recidivism by 66%?

Explore our latest fact sheet "Unlocking Potential: Why Virginia Must Invest in Higher Education in Prisons" to learn more!

📖 Read it here: justicepolicy.org/wp-content/u...

Hundreds of California prison inmates fight wildfires - and stigma Critics say using incarcerated men and women to fight fires is cheap labour, but supporters say it is rehabilitative.

As LA battles devastating wildfires, many of the firefighters risking their lives are incarcerated individuals who step up in the face of danger for just dollars a day. Their courage reminds us of the urgent need to #EndMassIncarceration & push for a more just society.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

The Right Investment 2.0: How Maryland Can Create Safe and Healthy Communities - Justice Policy Institute Community The Right Investment 2.0 provides over 60 variables to evaluate each of Baltimore’s neighborhoods and the link to the criminal legal system.

💡 What are your hopes for #JusticeReform in 2025? Do you envision more second chances, investments in rehabilitation, or community-driven solutions?

➡️ Share your thoughts & visit our website to learn more about policy reforms that change lives!

justicepolicy.org/the-right-in...

🎉✨ Happy New Year from all of us at JPI!

🎶 Kick off 2025 with JPI’s 2024 playlist! Curated by our amazing team, this collection features our favorite “power songs” that keep us motivated in our work for justice.

🎶 Click here to listen: open.spotify.com/playlist/3kT...

Statement from President Joe Biden on Federal Death Row Commutations | The White House I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system. Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40

President Biden’s commutation of 37 federal death row sentences marks a historic victory for justice and human rights.

JPI celebrates this decision as a powerful step toward a more compassionate justice system and stands in support of efforts that align with the principles of dignity and humanity!

💭 What does a world without prisons look like to you?

Share your thoughts in the comments below! And check out our latest blog that challenges us to envision a justice system rooted in healing, equity, and opportunity.

Read here: justicepolicy.medium.com/what-christm...

🚨 Closing prisons is a crucial step toward equity and economic justice.

In a powerful new blog, JPI ED Jasmine Tyler @jazzyjtyler.bsky.social explores how shutting down prisons can break cycles of harm and open the door to real investment in communities.

Read the full piece now ➡️

Miquelle West Calls on Biden to Release 100 Incarcerated Women in 100 Days Sixteen of the 100 women are in prison in California.

Today, POTUS commuted 1,500 sentences—a step forward in addressing mass incarceration, but Michelle West, who has spent 30+ years in prison for a drug conspiracy, is still waiting! Her story underscores the urgent need for #ClemencyNow. True justice means second chances for all! #FreeMichelleWest

50th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention Act: An Infographic Series - Justice Policy Institute This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), a transformative law that has shaped the future of youth justice in the United States. Since 1974, ...

Curious about the progress and future of #youthjustice?

Check out JPI’s infographic series, which highlights the evolution of the historic #JJDPA, its impact on youth justice, and the work ahead to build a more equitable system

Explore all six infographics here 👉 justicepolicy.org/research/jjd...

We are halfway through #GivingTuesday, and there’s still time to support JPI’s Healing and Hope Fund!

This fund strengthens our team, which includes individuals with lived experience, and fuels our mission to advance racial and social justice.

Donate today! 👉 secure.everyaction.com/JPujIZBpLEK1...

🌟 It's #GivingTuesday!

We're proud to launch the Healing & Hope Fund at JPI 💙 As a second-chance employer, our work is powered by lived experiences & a commitment to justice. Your gift fuels our mission, strengthens our team, & inspires change!

Donate now👉 secure.everyaction.com/JPujIZBpLEK1...

Charles County restaurant gives back to community ahead of Thanksgiving CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A business in Charles County is giving back to those in need ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Burner’s Bar and Grill handed out 200 meals Wednesday…

Troy Burner, JPI Associate and justice reform advocate, continues to make a difference in the lives of others. 🦃 Ahead of Thanksgiving, his Charles County restaurant Burner's Bar and Grill gave back to the community by handing out 200 meals! Read here 👉 www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-n...

YouTube video by justicepolicy One Million Experiments Panel Discussion

📽️ Watch the full video of the panel discussion of the film One Million Experiments here ➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IdL...

⭐Justice starts with YOU!

This #GivingTuesday, support JPI’s work to reimagine visionary approaches to community safety, like those showcased at our event screening & panel discussion of #OneMillionExperiments.

Your gift makes a difference! 👉 Donate here: secure.everyaction.com/JPujIZBpLEK1...

S07 E11: We Are Still The Majority: A Post-Election Conversation After the Election: Where Do We Go From Here? This episode offers a comprehensive look at what lies ahead for the nation.

🎙️ Hear JPI’s Executive Director Jasmine Tyler @jazzyjtyler.bsky.social unpack the post-election landscape & what’s ahead for civil rights, voting rights, & more on #PodfortheCause episode--We Are Still The Majority: A Post-Election Conversation!

🎧 Listen now: civilrights.org/podcast/s07e...

JPI at #NCYJ2024 🌟 Proud to join advocates in D.C. to reflect on 50 years of the #JJDPA & chart the future of #YouthJustice. Great connecting with JPI founder & former ED Vinny Schiraldi, past ED Marc Schindler, & OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for all youth!