Blog
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 […]
TROSA Breaks Ground on Comprehensive Care Center
TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers) will be breaking ground Oct. 13 for a new state of the art comprehensive health care center. This is a remarkable achievement for any community agency, much less one that is dedicated to providing treatment options for substance abusers. TROSA residents have multiple health needs and do not […]
Ohio Tries Yet Another Drug Cocktail
After gaining national attention for botching it’s last execution in 2014, Ohio is trying yet another drug cocktail. This time it will be following Oklahoma’s lead – another botched execution state – and using a 3 drug protocol that includes midazolam, rocuronium bromide and potassium chloride. These drugs do not have to come from a […]
After 30 Years In Prison, Pardoned Brothers Seek Normal Life In North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Two brothers will receive more than $1 million from the state of North Carolina after they were wrongfully imprisoned for three decades in the killing of an 11-year-old girl, but for one of them, the windfall isn’t the issue. “It ain’t about money,” said Henry McCollum, 51, who, along with his […]