Blog
NC Institute on Medicine Issues Recommendations
The North Carolina Institute of Medicine’s (NCIOM) Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use recently presented recommendations to the Joint Committee on Health and Human Services. The NCIOM is funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, with the goal of developing recommendations to increase and improve community-based and evidence-informed prevention, treatment, and recovery […]
Update on Governor's Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use Pilot Programs
The legislative Committee on Health and Human Services recently received a November update about pilot programs developed from the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use. Dr. Jason Vogler, Director of The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services outlined with greater specificity how the funds will be allocated. The […]
McCrory Concedes Governor's Race to Roy Cooper
At noon on December 5, 2016, Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the Governor’s race to Roy Cooper after a hotly contested race and post-election battle in which Gov. McCrory alleged voter fraud. Over the weekend, Durham County had been required to begin recounting its votes and with over half the votes counted by Monday morning, the […]
Felons Who Have Completed a Sentence CAN Vote
As the Governor’s race continues to be contested, accusations of felons voting have been filed by the McCrory campaign. It’s important for all parties to understand some basic facts: A person convicted of a felon is allowed to vote in North Carolina once they have completed all supervision. A person convicted of a misdemeanor is […]
Death Penalty Updates from Across the Country
There were important referendums on the death penalty on the ballot in several states on November 9th. Despite some of these setbacks, actual executions and support for the death penalty continue to be on a downward trend. Oklahoma amended its State Constitution to protect the death penalty and declare that it cannot be deemed cruel […]
And on the National Stage…
As Trump begins to assemble his cabinet, serious concerns exist not only about the ways in which progress may be eroded, but also about how local police and state criminal justice systems will be used to carry out an agenda that has already been sharply focused on deporting immigrants. Here’s just a few concerns on […]
Another Important Step for Raising the Age
The Raise the Age Coalition is building momentum towards finally making substantive change to the laws in North Carolina. The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is the latest group to throw its support behind raising the age in North Carolina. Previously, the Association’s Executive Committee voted to support raising the age. Just this month, the entire […]
Post-Election Landscape in North Carolina
Now that the election results have determined the landscape of the general assembly, what does it mean for criminal justice issues? Legislative Balance of Power – Few Changes The balance of power in the General Assembly is nearly the same as it was for the past session. The breakout is 74 (R ) – 46 […]
Re-Sentencing in Death Case Due to Racial Bias in Jury Selection
In 1997, Phillip Davis, who was an 18 year old, with a borderline intellectual capacity, entered a guilty plea to two counts of murder. The state sought the death penalty and prepared to pick a jury it could convince that Phillip should die for his crimes. While seating the jury, the state sought to dismiss […]
Finally – A Little Funding for Research on Gun Violence
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has finally awarded $3.3 million dollars for fireams research. Since 1996, the Center for Disease Control, an agency that distributes over $5 billion in funding, has avoided funding any research grants having to do with gun violence. Their research was the focus of attacks from the NRA. The awards […]
Rep. Paul Luebke's Death – A Major Loss
We join friends and advocates across the state in mourning the death of Rep. Paul Luebke. Luebke was an unfailing champion for every positive criminal justice measure since he was first elected in 1990. Luebke not only voted for, but worked for, efforts to win a moratorium on the death penalty, for positive sentencing reforms, […]
New Contracts Awarded for CBI and Substance Abuse Services
The Department of Public Safety recently awarded over $3 million in contracts to agencies providing evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention and substance abuse services to individuals on probation or post-release supervision. These contracts were awarded in a re-bid process because some providers withdrew from contracts leaving areas without services. Many others have found it difficult to […]
Proposed Legislation to Require De-escalation Training for Police
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis) has sponsored federal legislation that would require police “to be trained on de-escalation techniques that focus on preserving life.” We strongly support this bill and her efforts and will track it’s progress at the federal level.
Durham Awarded BJS Grant to Address Mental Health Needs in Jail
The Durham Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant of $228,000 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJS). The purpose of the grant is to implement a system wide enhancement of identifying, screening and tracking prisoners in the jail in order to improve the jail’s ability to provide interventions. […]
NC Criminal Case Management System – Time for a Change
Chief Justice Martin’s Commission on the Administration of Law and Justice is examining the criminal case management system in North Carolina. A consultant speaking to the committee found much room for positive reform in our system. Key Findings Included: 1. Cases are not being resolved timely in NC courts and are not meeting current NC […]