A new report highlights 2019’s new trends in criminal justice policies

The Sentencing Project is a TRULY EXCELLENT non-profit organization that monitors and analyzes information about criminal justice sentencing — and pushes effectively for progressive reforms.  I donate financial support to them and receive regular news from them.  I hope you will connect too.  See www.sentencingproject.org

In 2019 they — and formerly incarcerated activists, lawmakers, and advocates — worked to challenge mass incarceration. They made good progress in 2019, as they have in recent years.  See their new 4-page report, “Top Trends in State Criminal Justice Reform.” https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Top-Trends-in-State-Criminal-Justice-Reform-2019.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=8251ac2a-bedb-41ec-a088-cc1e529d01e8

It highlights key changes in criminal justice policy achieved in 2019, including these examples:

Sentencing:  California repealed a one-year sentence enhancement for each prior prison or county jail felony term, impacting 10,000 people.

Felony Disenfranchisement:  Nevada and New Jersey expanded voting rights to people on felony probation or parole, impacting 77,000 and 83,000 people, respectively.

Juvenile Justice:  Michigan raised the age at which young defendants are automatically charged as adults from 17 to 18.

Addressing Racial Disparity:  Florida adopted a Senate rule for racial impact statements to assess potential disparities of key criminal justice bills prior to implementation.