A new study of incarceration trends shows Black people in the Commonwealth are jailed at a rate nearly three times higher than their white peers, despite making up around 8% of the state s population. The Prison Policy Initiative research found disparities in the criminal justice system have not changed over the past decade, despite debates about addressing mass incarceration. Wanda Bertram, communications strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, said decisions at a local level often dictate what happens. .
Cleveland officials have announced another set of pay raises for police officers. The exact amounts differ based on an officer s rank but some salaries will increase up to 14%, on top of raises approved in 2022 and retention bonuses of up to $5,000 set aside from Cleveland s share of federal stimulus money. Rachel Dissell, a reporter for the Marshall Project-Cleveland, said police officers have not been joining the force as quickly as they ve been retiring, leaving the city with ongoing shortages. .
The burden of criminal justice fees can be financially devastating for many individuals. From speeding tickets to court costs, those involved in the legal system often find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt. The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice is searching for ways to alleviate the burden and prevent further harm. .
Only one in ten of the people in prison who apply for parole receives it in Alabama, and a new report is prompting calls to reform the state s parole system. The ACLU s Alabama Parole Watch Report observed around 300 parole hearings during the summer, and found the current system contributes to overcrowding and racial disparities - and unfairly denies parole to some people who pose no public-safety threat. Alison Mollman, interim legal director at the ACLU of Alabama, said even individuals who are cleared for work release in communities have an 85% parole denial rate. .