Progressive prosecutors aim to change the criminal justice system from the inside.
Catch up on the developing stories making headlines.This report is part of"Turning Point," a groundbreaking series by ABC News examining the racial reckoning sweeping the United States and exploring whether it can lead to lasting reconciliation."It’s a trying time we have right now. We have people dying because of this pandemic we are in. We have people suffering. And we had a pandemic in the city of St. Louis prior to COVID 19; it’s hopelessness," she said.
Gardner is one of a wave of “progressive prosecutors” who have taken office across the nation, making it a part of their mission to reimagine how the criminal justice system looks from the inside out.She noted that, when a judge sentences someone to prison, the judge asks the defendant about his or her past.
Now, prosecutors are even more set on ending mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities and being more transparent about accountability, Hodge said.“People who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” said Jamila Hodge, director of the Reshaping Prosecution Program at the Vera Institute of Justice.
Rollins’ platform promised, in part, to stop prosecuting nonviolent crimes from 15 categories where “overwhelmingly, the people… have a substance use disorder, mental health issues, food or housing insecurity, or are homeless,” she said. “Wealth is the biggest thing that benefits you in this system. Irrespective of race, gender, national origin, anything. If you can pay, you get a better outcome,” she said. “I'm just saying, ‘Let's let everyone have the same experience in the criminal justice system.’”
MORE: Prosecutor 'very confident' of case against former Boston College student who allegedly convinced boyfriend to kill himself Kim Gardner is one of a wave of “progressive prosecutors” who have taken office across the nation, making it a part of their duty to reimagine how the criminal justice system looks from the inside out.
Earlier this year, Gardner made shockwaves when she filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city and the police union of a coordinated, racist conspiracy to drive her from office. Jeffrey Roorda, business manager at the St. Louis Police Officers Association, said it was “the last act of a desperate woman who is simply trying to silence her critics. We will not be silenced.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump administration to launch antitrust suit against Google as soon as next weekThe DOJ and state attorneys general are expected to sue Google as soon as next week for alleged antitrust abuses, people familiar with discussions said Friday, marking a dramatic escalation of Washington’s fight to rein in Silicon Valley’s giants
Read more »
Getting Active: Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Foray Into Politics, Media and Social Justice - E! OnlineIf Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were still senior royals, almost everything they've said regarding world affairs in 2020 would have been impossible—and they're still causing quite the stir.
Read more »
JoJo Is Hoping to Inspire, Not Point Fingers on Powerful Biden/Harris Campaign Anthem 'The Change'JoJo released 'The Change' on Friday (Oct. 2), a Diane Warren-penned ballad aimed at getting out the vote for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Read more »
The Most Exciting New Hair Products of the MonthChange up your routine like the leaves change colors.
Read more »
Jada Pinkett Smith Swears By This $17 Drugstore Toner For Ageless SkinIt's an inside-out process for her.
Read more »