Blog
13th: A Lesson on Race, Justice, and Mass Incarceration
It has been about one year since film director Ava DuVernay released the documentary “13th.” This documentary is widely available on Netflix. Today, as the Black Lives Matter movement continues to unfold and national politics have veered towards a criminal justice system that yet again relies heavily on mass incarceration, 13th continues to provide useful […]
Stay of Execution Issued in Missouri Death Penalty Case
In a display of courage and commitment to justice, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens halted the execution of Marcellus Williams mere hours before he was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. DNA testing raised questions about whether he had committed a murder during a 1998 burglary. Williams’ attorney cited DNA evidence found on the murder weapon that […]
When Law and Justice Part Ways
At the time this piece was published, four people had been arrested in Durham for allegedly taking down a Confederate statue. They allegedly broke the law. Now let’s talk about justice. History has painfully provided us with countless examples of how law and justice, though they are two related concepts, can be different. Far too […]
Waiting to Die on North Carolina's Death Row
By Amanda Witwer, UNC-Chapel Hill Public Policy Student Apart from being an avid reader and a devoted Tarheel fan, my pen pal is an inmate who has spent the last nineteen years of his life on North Carolina’s death row. Out of respect for his privacy, I will refer to him with a pseudonym. […]
A Lesson on Humanity: An Intern's First Visit to Death Row
This month, Carolina Justice Policy Center Intern Olivia Pennoyer visited an inmate on death row. She documented her experience in an essay: This summer I met a man on death row. Usually when this fact finds its way into conversations with friends and family, they ask questions: Why? Were you scared? What did you say? […]
Ohio Execution
On July 26, 2017, the state of Ohio executed Ronald Phillips. This execution marked the first after a three and a half year moratorium. It is yet another example of why death penalty moratoriums should not lull activists into a false sense of complacency. To learn more about this execution, visit https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/tomorrow-ohio-plans-restart-executions-drugs-known-torture?redirect=blog/speak-freely/tomorrow-state-ohio-will-risk-torturing-man-death
Governor Cooper Signs Raise the Age Proclamation
Last Friday, Governor Roy Cooper signed a proclamation celebrating that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be tried in adult court for misdemeanor charges. While teens accused of violent felonies and some drug crimes may still be charged as adults, the progress made towards raising the age is certainly something to celebrate. The […]
New Ruling Supports Exorbitant Costs of Phone Calls With Inmates
Families with incarcerated loved ones will continue to face challenges as they grapple with the exorbitant cost of phone calls with inmates. These calls can be as high as $10 per minute at some facilities. Two years ago, telecom companies and some state governments filed suit against FCC rules which limited the price of in […]
HB 746: Changes to State Laws Regarding Firearms
The state house tentatively approved a bill that would eliminate the need for concealed-carry permits for adults who are at least 18 and are not otherwise prohibited from owning firearms, except where open-carry is explicitly prohibited. The bill would also allow assistant district attorneys to bring concealed weapons into courtrooms, as well as legislators and […]
FDA Advises That Opioid Painkiller Opana Be Pulled Off Market
In an unprecedented move, the FDA has called for the removal of opioid painkiller Opana from the market. The FDA has never before asked that an opioid pain medication be pulled from the market due to its strong potential for abuse. The mandate is in response to the opioid crisis. Opana is about twice as […]
Lawmakers Respond to Prison Corruption Investigation
In response to a Charlotte Observer investigation regarding prison corruption, Senate leader Phil Berger has said that he plans to call for a legislative inquiry on prison corruption. Moreover, Governor Roy Cooper has called upon Secretary of Public Safety Erik Hooks to identify ways to address the issues identified in the investigation. The investigation exposed […]
DEA Proposal Reminiscent of War on Drugs
The DEA has proposed action that is reminiscent of the unsuccessful “War on Drugs” of the 1980s. This “War on Drugs” involved draconian and discriminatory sentencing for drug offenders. The current proposal is that the DEA hire a separate prosecutor corps of as many as 20 prosecutors to prosecute cases related to drug trafficking, money […]
Former New Mexico Governor Changes Perspective on the Death Penalty
In a recent article printed in the Washington Post, former Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson explains why although he carried out the death penalty as Governor, he now opposes it. Some of the reasons he cited include the failure to serve as a deterrent, the number of innocent people freed from death row, waning […]
Four Cumberland County Death Row Inmates Request New Racial Justice Act Hearings
Four Inmates in Cumberland County have asked that the state Supreme Court reconsider the illegal effect of racism in their trials. They had previously used the North Carolina Racial Justice act to do so, but it was repealed in 2013. Some of the arguments in their two petitions include: The Superior Court should have held […]
Person/Caswell DA Resigns Following Investigation
Person/Caswell County DA Wallace Bradsher has resigned. His resignation follows a nearly 10 month investigation into alleged theft at his office, as well as the office of prosecutor Craig Blitzer. Craig Blitzer resigned in March. The investigation has been conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation and has been lead by Wake County district attorney […]