From Community Legal Services (https://clsphila.org/): The General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 637 (DiSanto, R-Dauphin/Perry and Schwank, D-Berks), which reforms occupational licensing by getting rid of outdated criminal record restrictions for the professions and occupations which are regulated by boards and … Continued
From Amnesty International USA (http://www.amnestyusa.org): Across the United States, people are coming together to protest against racist police brutality and demand respect for Black lives. We know Black Lives Matter, and we’ll fight to stop anti-Black racism so that all … Continued
Posted at https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/06/16/mass-murder-covid-19-deaths-us-prisons-have-risen-73-past-month Published on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 by Common Dreams The number of known cases in the facilities has doubled since mid-May to over 68,000. By Jessica Corbett, staff writer Faith leaders and activists hold signs during a … Continued
From the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (http://www.nrcat.org): On June 1, the federal Bureau of Prisons announced it had instituted a “total lockdown” of all BOP facilities in response to on-going public protests for racial justice throughout the country, despite … Continued
From PA Post (https://papost.org/): At least 2 will be considered by a legislative panel next week Five Pa. House Democrats hold a Black Lives Matter protest while state Rep. Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia) delivers remarks from the Speaker’s rostrum on Monday, … Continued
From Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (http://www.pa-abolitionists.org/): Court Order Follows Commonwealth’s Finding that Mr. Ogrod Is “Likely Innocent;” Release Supported By Victim’s Mother and Others (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Following an extensive investigation by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity … Continued
From CLASP (http://www.clasp.org/): In 2019, CLASP convened over 60 national, state, and local advocates, public systems leaders, policymakers, youth and young adults, and other partners from a wide range of disciplines. These stakeholders bridged economic and criminal justice reform with … Continued
Posted at https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/05/25/watershed-moment-election-law-judge-rules-modern-day-poll-tax-florida Published on Monday, May 25, 2020 by Common Dreams Advocates for restoring the voting rights of people with past convictions welcomed the ruling as “a powerful reminder that no one can trump the U.S. Constitution.” By Jessica … Continued
From the Pennsylvania Prison Society (http://www.prisonsociety.org): Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) released its Demobilization Plan for state correctional institutions (SCIs). The plan outlines gradual increases in out-of-cell time and a gradual resumption of programming. Since March 12, the 43,000 … Continued
Posted at https://papost.org/2020/05/15/they-put-me-in-solitary-for-having-oranges-muslim-inmates-struggle-during-ramadan/ A lawsuit in Franklin County highlights challenges faced by Muslim inmates during Islam’s holy month Joseph Darius Jaafari | MAY 15, 2020 | 2:13 PM Photo illustration by WITF’s Tom Downing Excerpts from grievances filed by Muslim inmates … Continued