When Professor Shaheen Pasha’s childhood friend, Tarik, was sentenced to life in prison, she was forced to rethink her views about life behind bars. Now the multimedia reporter and University of Massachusetts-Amherst journalism professor focuses her career on illuminating mass incarceration’s hidden universe. Her friend’s sentencing also made her aware of the lack of rehabilitative prison programs. “In the back of my mind, I knew I needed to do something,” she said. “I had to confront my own innate biases and fears.” Before her work in … [Read more...] about Professor Shaheen Pasha rethinks her views about life behind bars
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Republican governor signs criminal reform
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a major criminal justice reform bill that had overwhelming Republican and Democratic support, reported Boston Herald. “This is a huge victory for justice and shows what we can accomplish together,” said State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, (D-Boston). “Years and years of advocacy by community leaders, legislators and powerful Black and Brown grassroots organizers created a sea change in Massachusetts politics.” "The total drug-overdose deaths was 64,070 in the 12 months through January 2017.” The Wall … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Republican governor signs criminal reform
Prison Policy Initiative Highlights Improvements
A prisoners’ rights research organization highlights in its annual report accomplishments and reforms made in the criminal justice system. The Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) published its first annual report November 2013. “The non-profit, non-partisan PPI produces cutting edge research to expose the broader harm of mass incarceration and then sparks advocacy campaigns to create a more just society,” according to the report. The report analyzed these four core issues that have drawn national attention: • Prison gerrymandering, • … [Read more...] about Prison Policy Initiative Highlights Improvements