Justice Newzzz
police chiefs from around the country step down at an alarming rate; Black state trooper facing termination for his criticizing remarks; advocates demand immediate closure of Rikers — your weekly news
News
creation of a crisis response team: The Denver Sheriff’s Department is set to create a Crisis Response Team (CRT) that will offer mental health services for inmates. CRT will provide an alternative de-escalation tactic and satisfy the department’s goal of avoiding use-of-force. KMGH-TV (Oct. 11, 2021)
demands of residents: A number of Santa Clara County residents oppose the idea of building a new jail. This past week, residents convened to discuss alternative solutions to punitive practices that criminalize poverty and mental illness. San José Spotlight (Oct. 14, 2021)
minor traffic infractions banned: Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that prevents police from stopping drivers for committing minor infractions. Proponents of the bill hopes the bill help reduce racial profiling and allow officers to focus more on serious violations. WHYY-FM (Oct. 14, 2021)
search for a gun: This past week, correctional officers at Brooklyn’s federal jail searched for a gun that had been smuggled into the facility. The search prompted an eight-day lockdown. As of now, no one has been charged in connection with the gun. New York Daily News (Oct. 15, 2021)
water outage: Eyman state prison in Florence, Arizona experienced a water outage in the facility. The outage forced hundreds of men to share portable toilets and a few gallon jugs of drinking water. After the outage was restored, there were a number of complaints about the water appearing to be contaminated. The Arizona Republic (Oct. 13, 2021)
police chief exit: Since the beginning of 2020, there have been high numbers of police chiefs stepping down from their positions. The mass departure is a trend experts say may pose a threat to enacting criminal justice reform and creating cultural shifts within police departments. CNN (Oct. 12, 2021)
inmate uprising: An apparent inmate uprising has been reported at a Philadelphia prison. According to reports, 87 inmates got out of their cells and took over the unit. The cause of the uprising remains unknown. Penn Live (Oct. 14, 2021)
the move of women detainees: Over 200 women detained at Rikers will be transferred to state-run prisons in Westchester County. This act is the latest effort enacted to reduce the overpopulated numbers at Rikers. Gothamist (Oct. 13, 2021)
state trooper facing termination: State trooper Carl Cavalier of Louisiana has been issued a letter of termination for criticism of a 2019 violent police arrest that left a Black motorist dead in northern Louisiana.The Washington Post (Oct. 14, 2021)
call for shutdown: Nearly a hundred advocates from around New York gathered outside City Hall to demand action be taken to address the crisis at Rikers Island. The group specifically demanded for the immediate closure of the jail facility, which is officially scheduled to be dismantled in 2027. News 12 Bronx (Oct. 12, 2021)
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