Justice Newzzz
new report exposes emerging technologies are used for surveillance and border patrol; shady facts about National Sheriffs Association; what liberal representation in the Court really means
shady: Who is The National Sheriffs Association? Funded by dark money and corporate sponsorship while pushing far-right agendas, they are lobbying Congress and tanking police reforms, making it questionable if they are really a nonpartisan group. SLATE (Feb. 11, 2022)
predatory tech: Prisons are banning or restricting postal mail saying it is better for security enforcement. They are pushing fee-based email systems owned by private communication companies which makes incarcerated people feel more isolated and disconnected with their loved ones than physical mail. The Nation (Feb. 9, 2022)
more predatory tech: More states are using Verus, an AI-powered surveillance software that screens phone calls in prisons and jails. Yet digital rights groups are urging federal response to the practice as it infringes the rights of the incarcerated individuals. Thomson Reuters Foundation News (Feb. 10, 2022)
Rest in Power Amir Locke: It was announced that the Minneapolis Mayor banned no-knock warrants after the killing of George Floyd, but the city technically did not ban no-knock warrants. Like most police department policies, there has been a wide leeway to allow no-knock warrants in certain situations. CNN (Feb. 7, 2022)
a change in narrative: San Francisco State’s ethnic studies department now broadens its mission to include justice involved youth in their program to help them navigate identity. This is the first time a four-year university has offered a certificate program in California’s youth prisons. CBS8 (Feb. 10, 2022)
“tough on crime” leads to division among Dems: California activists are lobbying to eliminate juvenile adjudications from the three-strikes law as it has been problematic. But their hope fizzled last month in the state Capitol, as opposition from moderate Democrats left supporters short on the votes needed for passage of Assembly Bill 1127. LA Times (Feb. 11, 2022)
see the facts: Truth in Sentencing sounds fair, but in practice, it prevents opportunities to reduce recidivism and to increase public safety. It not only over-punishes those who have opportunities for rehabilitation, but also is an ineffective policy. Right on Crime (Feb. 11, 2022)
perpetuating inequality under the guise of neutrality: Putting a black woman on the Court as a more “progressive act” does not solve anything but rather complicates the legal system’s fundamental issues. It reinforces the “myths that the system promotes true meritocracy, not white mediocrity, and that simply ignoring race will make racism go away.” Balls and Strikes (Feb. 7, 2022)
surprising or no?: Texas deputy Patrick Divers tased an unarmed refugee child in one of the federal government’s shelters in 2020. Despite opposition from advocacy groups, he won’t be held accountable. Reveal (Feb. 10, 2022)
“civil liberties disaster”: Ghost Robotics’ robotic dogs may soon be used to assist Border Patrol guards. Department of Homeland Security state that the goal is to maximize Customs and Border Protection presence with technology and reduce human exposure to possible hazards. The Paper (Feb. 8, 2022)
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