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Recidivism

Someone prepares to write a check | ID 5985610 © Py2000 | Dreamstime.com

Charity/Philanthropy

This Holiday Season, Remember That Charity Is More Effective Than Government

Charities can focus resources on those who genuinely need a hand while saying no to those who just need "a kick in the butt."

John Stossel | 12.29.2024 7:00 AM

the Minnesota Sex Offender Program center in Moose Lake | Jim Gehrz/Zuma Press/Newscom

Sex Crimes

Minnesota's Indefinite Detention of Sex Offenders Is Ineffective As Well As Unjust

A new report argues that the notorious program squanders taxpayer money while keeping people imprisoned without justification or recourse.

Jacob Sullum | 5.6.2024 5:25 PM

the shadow of fines and feed haunts juvenile offenders, often making rehabilitation and a better future harder | Illustration: Lex Villena; Midjourney

Excessive Fines

Ending Fees and Fines for Juvenile Offenders is Best for Rehabilitation

A former chief judge of Delaware's Family Court argues that imposing fines and fees on juvenile offenders undermines their potential to become productive, law-abiding adults.

Chandlee Kuhn | 3.13.2024 2:15 PM

Addiction counselor Rudy Carey, in a side-by-side with the Virginia law forbidding employers from hiring people who have been convicted of certain "barrier crimes." | Illustration: Lex Villena; Institute for Justice, law.lis.virginia.gov

Clemency

Rudy Carey Was Pardoned, but the Unjust Law That Kept Him From Working Is Still on the Books

Virginia’s barrier crime law limits employment prospects for ex-offenders, who often find their way back into the penal system when they can’t find work.

Sofia Hamilton | 3.4.2024 4:02 PM

book cover of "What's Prison For?' by Bill Keller | Penguin Random House

book

Review: Is Prison for Rehabilitation or Punishment?

High recidivism rates are not surprising when life in prison features the same factors that drive crime.

Jacob Sullum | 9.30.2022 6:00 AM

incarcerated person walks through prison | Illustration: Lex Villena; Cottonbro

Criminal Justice

Hiring Formerly Incarcerated People Is Good, Actually

Some conservative media outlets and politicians lambast the practice. But if you care about public safety, that opposition doesn't make sense.

Billy Binion | 9.14.2022 4:46 PM

apaphotostwo100125 | WINGNUT FILMS/Album/Newscom

Sex Offender Registry

Man Imprisoned for 16 Years for Raping Lovely Bones Author Is Exonerated

Anthony Broadwater, now 61, had no idea his accuser achieved fame and fortune while he has been living as a pariah for over 20 years on the sex offender registry.

Emily Horowitz | 11.29.2021 3:35 PM

prison-yard-Larry-Farr-Unsplash | Larry Farr/Unsplash

Sex Crimes

Federal Judges Are Increasingly Rebelling Against 'Overly Severe' Penalties for Nonviolent Sex Offenders

People convicted of possessing child pornography receive long sentences, but new data suggest they are rarely arrested for contact offenses after their release.

Jacob Sullum | 10.15.2021 4:30 PM

featureyoder | Joey Guidone

Sex Crimes

After He Found California's Indefinite Detention of Sex Offenders Wasn't Working, the State Shut Him Down and Destroyed His Research

Psychologist Jesus Padilla was forbidden to complete research that could have set many indefinitely committed people free. He died with the work unfinished.

Steven Yoder | 3.1.2020 6:00 AM

zumaamericastwentytwo497644 | David Joles/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Criminal Justice

Pennsylvania Passes Clean Slate Act, Will Seal More Than 30 Million Criminal Records

The law will reopen critical channels to employment and housing that might otherwise be closed.

Billy Binion | 7.2.2019 5:20 PM

Large image on homepages | GARY I ROTHSTEIN/UPI/Newscom

Voting Rights

Tennessee Bill Would Restore Felons' Voting Rights

More than 8 percent of the state's population is currently disenfranchised.

Billy Binion | 2.19.2019 4:30 PM

Large image on homepages | shuoshu/iStock

Algorithms

What If the Algorithms Are Racist?

Ronald Bailey | 1.1.2019 12:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Indomercy/123rf

Criminal Justice

Out of Prison Means Out of Work

Eric Boehm | 6.18.2017 6:00 AM

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