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Prison Reform

Prison Reform
commentary
UK Prisons Are in 'Crisis,' So What Can Be Done to Improve Performance?
Emma Disley
Feb 20, 2017
Criminal Law and Justice Weekly
Prisons in the UK are experiencing record numbers of suicides and other violent incidents, as well as staff shortages. Policymakers working on prison reform need more effective ways to measure the performance of prison programs.
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Prison Reform
commentary
The Pendulum Swings Back: Support for Postsecondary Education in Prison
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Dec 15, 2016
The RAND Blog
Correctional educational programs can reduce incarceration costs and recidivism. But it's critical that former inmates can connect with reentry services in the community to complete their education.
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Prisoner Reentry
commentary
Obama Commutes Sentences of 46 Drug Offenders. Now for the Hard Part
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Aug 10, 2015
The Tampa Tribune
Last month, President Obama commuted more sentences in a single day than any president since Lyndon Johnson. But commutation doesn't erase a criminal conviction.
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United States
blog
The 2015 Summer Reading List for Congress
Aug 5, 2015
With Capitol Hill slowing for August recess, this list of must-read research and commentaries will help ensure that policymakers are ready to dive right back in this fall.
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Alcohol
commentary
Could You Lose Your License to Drink?
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer
Jun 23, 2015
CNN
Criminal justice reform requires creating demand for bold ideas about simultaneously reducing incarceration and crime. Given the prominent role alcohol plays in crime — and the strong results from South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety program — suspending one's “license to drink” seems well worth considering.
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Prisoner Reentry
commentary
Using Education to Stop the Prison Revolving Door
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Sep 30, 2014
AL.com
Providing education and vocational training to inmates is a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism rates, thus shrinking prison populations and easing the strain on prison budgets. Education is far less expensive than incarceration.
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Prisoner Reentry
commentary
Sending Prisoners to College Will Save You Money
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis, Jennifer L. Steele
Apr 11, 2014
Newsday
Correctional education works for states because it saves money and shrinks prison populations. It works for prisoners, the public, law enforcement, and the judicial system because educated prisoners are less likely to return to their criminal ways once released.
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Prisoner Reentry
commentary
To Stop Prisons' Revolving Door
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Sep 16, 2013
Los Angeles Times
If California wants to reduce its prison population, it needs to address recidivism, and the best way to do this is through education and job training. Cutting education and vocational training may seem like a tempting way to plug short-term budget gaps, but it actually ends up costing the system more over time.
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Drug Courts
commentary
New Approach to Prison and the War on Drugs
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer
Aug 13, 2013
BBC.co.uk
If you want to reduce cocaine consumption and drug-related crime, you get more bang for the buck if you put money into treatment rather than paying for the increase in incarceration produced by federal mandatory minimum sentences, writes Beau Kilmer.
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Health Care Costs
commentary
California's Prisoner Shuffle
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Aug 19, 2011
Los Angeles Times
The state needs to deal with prison overcrowding and inadequate medical care for prisoners in ways that don't simply transfer the burden to county criminal justice systems and the healthcare safety nets of local communities, writes Lois Davis.
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Prisoner Reentry
commentary
Prison Health Care
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Jul 12, 2007
San Diego Union-Tribune
Prison Health Care, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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commentary
Focus on the Worst Ex-Cons and Boost Community-Based Rehab
Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral
May 27, 2007
Riverside Press-Enterprise
Focus on the Worst Ex-Cons and Boost Community-Based Rehab in Riverside Press-Enterprise
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