Second Chances Resource Library

The Second Chances Resource Library contains resources related to expanding release opportunities
for people in prison who are serving long sentences or have other circumstances warranting release

preloader
Found 310 resources
1 2 18 19 20 30 31

PDF Old Behind Bars: The Aging Prison Population in the United States

Organization/Publisher:Human Rights Watch
Author:Jamie Fellner

This report presents new data on the number of aging men and women in prison; provides information on the cost of confining them; and based on research conducted in nine states where prisons vary significantly in size, resources, and conditions, offers an overview of some ways that prison systems have responded to them. The report tackles some policy considerations posed by incarcerating elderly inmates, and raises the human rights concerns that must be addressed if sound policies are to be developed for the criminal punishment and incarceration of older prisoners, both those who grow old in prison and those who enter at an advanced age.

Jurisdictions:
Type of resource:
Year:

PDF Executive inaction: States and the federal government fail to use commutations as a release mechanism

Organization/Publisher:Prison Policy Initiative
Author:Naila Awan and Katie Rose Quandt

This report finds that the U.S. President and state executive branches in eight northeastern states chronically underuse their commutation powers. The sampled states reported granting just 210 commutations from 2005 through mid-2021, for a total average of 13 grants a year across the eight states. For comparison, the average total prison population across these eight states from 2005 to 2020 was about 130,000 — meaning that each year, this group of states commuted about one out of every 10,000 sentenced and imprisoned individuals. In fact, five of the states each reported granting just five commutations or fewer over the 16.5 years. And concerningly, almost no states in the sample increased their rate of commutations during the pandemic, at a time when reducing prison populations is critical to save lives.

In addition to granting few commutations, most of the states in the sample do not appear to maintain robust data on their commutation systems.

Type of resource:
Year:

PDF Persons Living with Dementia in the Criminal Legal System

Organization/Publisher:American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging

A lack of data and information on justice-involved adults with dementia significantly impairs our ability to set a policy agenda that addresses the unique needs of this population across the justice intercept points. To help fill the gap, this mixed-method, cross-collaborative research effort collected survey data and conducted interviews with a variety of correctional health and legal field stakeholders to learn about their experiences working or interacting with people with dementia in the criminal legal system.

Jurisdictions:
Type of resource:
Year:

PDF VA SB 378/HB 906

Organization/Publisher:Virginia Legislature
Author:Sen. J Chapman Peterson and Del. Carrie E. Coyner

SB 378/HB 906 was a broad second look bill introduced during Virginia’s 2022 legislative session. This bill would have allowed people in Virginia state prisons to have their sentences reviewed after they serve 10 or 15 years (depending on age at the time of the offense) if they were able to meet the legislation’s disciplinary record requirement. The legislation did not exclude people based on offense type or age at the time of the offense. The bill passed through Virginia Senate but did not receive a vote in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Jurisdictions:
Type of resource:
Year:

LINK A Second Look at Justice: Providing a Second Chance to Emerging Adults

Organization/Publisher:FAMM and Look2Justice

On June 28th, FAMM and Look2Justice presented “A Second Look at Justice: Providing a the Second Chance to Emerging Adults,” a virtual discussion on the urgent need for an expanded second look in Washington state. The event featured introductory remarks from Rep. David Hackney (11th LD) and a panel featuring retired Judge Theresa Doyle, Eugene Youngblood, and Devon Adams.

Jurisdictions:
Year:

LINK Time For A Second Look: Why We Must Review Extreme Prison Sentences

Organization/Publisher:FAMM and Fair and Just Prosecution
For too long, excessive and extreme sentences have remained a staple of the United States’ approach to criminal justice. Far too many people are serving decades-long sentences – remaining incarcerated well into old-age and well past the point of diminishing returns on public safety.
In order to undo the tremendous harm of mass incarceration, we cannot simply rely on prospective reforms to address the impact of harsh sentencing laws and the ramp up over past decades of mass incarceration. Second look laws that allow individuals to seek relief from extreme sentencing on a case-by-case basis and return to their communities after serving a period of incarceration will allow states to safely reduce their prison populations and reinvest in more effective public safety measures.
Moderator:
Miriam Krinsky, Executive Director, Fair and Just Prosecution

Panelists:

  • Delegate Jazz Lewis, Member of Maryland House of Delegates, District 24
  • Mike Schmidt, District Attorney of Multnomah County, Oregon
  • Tyrone Walker, Associate/Project Director, Justice Policy Institute
  • Kevin Ring, President, FAMM
Sponsored By: FAMM and Fair and Just Prosecution
**Recorded: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Jurisdictions:
Year:

LINK Time For Justice: Second Chances in Illinois

Organization/Publisher:FAMM

A discussion was held on FAMM’s new report on the use of extreme sentencing in Illinois. Illinois’ policies have led to a stark increase in the number of people serving extreme sentences in the last 50 years. Policy experts and advocates explained how Illinois ended up with thousands of low-risk, high-cost elderly people in its state prisons and how second chances can turn the tide and increase public safety.
—–
Moderator:
Dr. Shaneva D. McReynolds, Consultant & Advocate – FAMM

Panelists:
• Renaldo Hudson, Education Director – Illinois Prison Project
• Kevin Blumenberg, Lead Organizer – Parole Illinois
• Garien Gatewood, Director – Illinois Justice Project
• Lindsey Hammond, Policy Director – Restore Justice Illinois

Recorded Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Jurisdictions:
Year:
1 2 18 19 20 30 31