Learn about what is happening in Criminal Justice System Reform

Local

Reform L.A Jails is a committee formed in order to support the 2020 ballot initiative of giving the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Civilian Oversight Commission the power to independently investigate misconduct and to work on a plan that can reduce prison populations and allocate funds to alternatives to prison. [LINK].

Law enforcement: Programs around the country seek to reform law enforcement by cutting down police and civilian contact in unnecessary situations which can lead to a decrease in arrests and incidents of police brutality. San Francisco has created a comprehensive plan to demilitarize the police, end police responses to non emergencies, reform training processes and redirect funds to invest in the community. [LINK].
Eugene, Oregon has a program called CAHOOTS that sends a mental health crisis scene to respond to crises involving mental health, homelessness and addiction. The program is cost effective and saves the city about 8.5 million dollars annually. [LINK].
San Francisco District Attorney, Chesa Boudin, issued a new policy that would prevent prosecutors from pursuing a case solely based on testimony of police officers with a history of misconduct. This can help prevent wrongful convictions. [LINK].

Many states are repealing mandatory minimum sentences, and enacting other laws that will help to reduce prison populations. These changes allow judges to reduce sentences. Read more about states’ reforms here: [LINK].
The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission allows defendants to prove innocence after their case has been decided on regardless of whether they pleaded guilty and have their case investigated. The commission is selected by the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and made up of 8 members that include a Superior Court Justice, prosecutor, defender the sheriff, victim advocates, discretionary officers, and a member of the public. Since it began operating in 2007, 12 people have been exonerated and thousands of cases have been reviewed. [LINK].

There are many trends that are occurring in an attempt to improve the health of inmates. The areas of focus are mental health, adding in person facilities, cost containment and healthier dietary options. Some states like Illinois have even created treatment centers that serve inmates with mental health issues, employing hundreds of healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists and psychiatrists. Read more about what kind of changes we are seeing in improving public health in jails here: [LINK].