Criminal Justice
Unshackling the Vote: Restoring Civic Participation for Persons Recently Released from Incarceration
H.R. 4987 aims to safeguard the federal voting rights of individuals upon their release from incarceration. This policy brief explores the implications and importance of H.R. 4987, delving into the benefits for both individuals seeking a fresh start after reintegration and the broader Black community, as well as what is at stake for the 2024 election cycle if legislation of its kind remains unimplemented.
Eliminating Barriers to Reentry for Returning Citizens: A 50 State Examination of Reentry Practices
This case study examines barriers returning citizens encounter, current state and federal reentry practices/legislation, and policy solutions to ensure returning citizens adequately acclimate to their communities.
The MORE Act: A Comprehensive Guide to Economic Benefits
This policy brief assesses the economic benefits of passing the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2020 and its importance for the African American community.
Perpetual Punishment: A State-by-State Analysis of Welfare Benefit Bans for People
with Prior Felony Drug Convictions
This study examines the current landscape of SNAP and TANF benefits for people with prior felony drug convictions, assesses the impact of the state-level bans, and offer policy recommendations on changes to eliminate the ban and other barriers faced by formerly incarcerated people.
Federal Legislative Solutions to Curb Qualified Immunity for School Resource Officers & Other School Officials
This report examines the inconsistent application of qualified immunity doctrine in courts around the country and how it impacts Black children — often leaving them vulnerable to having their constitutional rights violated in schools without recourse.
The Clean Slate Act: A Pathway to Criminal Justice Reform
This brief looks at The Clean Slate Act, a federal bipartisan bill, and how it can provide a second chance to Americans with low-level and nonviolent federal convictions.