The

State of

Justice

Reform

2018

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Progress and Setbacks

Justice reform took an unlikely end-of-year turn with the success of the bipartisan-supported FIRST STEP Act, the first major federal criminal justice reform since 2010. But overall, 2018 was a year of deepening tensions. Immigrant families were separated at the border, even as jurisdictions around the country mounted public defense programs for people facing deportation. Some states reforming their justice systems added harsher penalties for opioid offenses. And, in the age of #MeToo, one sexual assault survivor reluctantly took the spotlight to challenge a Supreme Court nominee.

Join Vera for a journey through the stories that shaped American justice in 2018.

Immigration Under Attack

From family separation to increased interior apprehensions, the administration doubles down on immigration enforcement.

The Crisis Continues

States struggle to find ways to cope with—and prevent—an ever-increasing number of opioid overdoses.

Innovative Strategies Gain Ground

Law enforcement agencies nationwide explore reforms to policing practices, but use-of-force incidents continue to make headlines.

No Simple Solution to Reform

States take steps toward reforming—or even ending—money bail, but questions about the fairness of alternatives remain.

A Focus on the Power of Prosecutors

Advocates and the media shine a spotlight on the power of prosecutors and their role in mass incarceration—and what some are doing to reduce it.

A Shifting Landscape

Jail construction booms in rural areas, even as some larger cities push to downsize their jail populations and close aging facilities.

Prevention and Rehabilitation in the Spotlight

States enact legislation aimed at keeping young people out of the adult criminal justice system.

A Growing Divide

While some states enact tougher sentences and mandatory minimums, others pass reforms and get “smart on crime.”

Federal Prison Reform Becomes Law

Congress passes the bipartisan FIRST STEP Act, the first major federal criminal justice reform legislation since 2010.

A Bipartisan Emphasis on Reentry

States remove barriers to voting and occupational licenses for people with criminal records in a bipartisan effort to ease reentry.

Victims’ Voices Are Amplified

Victims of crime take control of their own narratives and try to drive changes in 2018.

Lenses

There are important issues that transcend many or all categories of justice reform. Through “Lenses,” we present items from across the report’s Topics in order to elevate additional insights and inspire critical thinking. We invite you to explore, comment, and share.

Bipartisan Support

Polls continue to confirm that criminal justice reform is a bipartisan issue.

Racial Justice

Racial discrimination continues to taint the promise of justice for all.

Women & Girls

The fastest-growing demographic in America’s prison and jail populations.

Disability

People with disabilities are much more vulnerable to harm than similarly situated people without disabilities.

LGBTQ

LGBT and gender nonconforming people continue to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system.

Public Health

People cycling through the criminal justice system have higher rates of chronic health problems than the general population.

Elections

2018 midterm election yields historic voter turnout.

About

Like many justice reform organizations, Vera is often asked, “What are the latest and most interesting developments in the field?” Especially in 2018—as the nation grappled with immigration, mass incarceration, and the opioid crisis—more and more people confronted the need to improve the nation’s broken justice system and wanted to help.

Best of 2018

Justice reform progressed unevenly this year: some states embraced reform, some enacted more punitive measures, and the federal government continued its assault on immigration. Our interactive report, The State of Justice Reform 2018, cites major trends and developments during the year, including a focus on the historic midterm elections. Below, we highlight some of our favorite justice-related films, books, podcasts, art, and music from 2018:

Share the facts about criminal justice reform with your networks. Together, we can build and improve justice systems that ensure fairness, promote safety, and strengthen communities.

Spotlights

Explore how justice reform issues play out in the media and popular culture through these “spotlights” on key moments in the news.

Map

What does justice reform look like in your state?

Contributors

We are grateful to the many people who helped bring the State of Justice Reform and Best of Justice Reform 2018 to life. This project was made possible in part by the Present Progressive Fund.

Lenses

LGBTQ

LGBT and gender nonconforming people continue to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system.^[]Center for American Progress (CAP) and Movement Advancement Project (MAP), Unjust: How the Broken Criminal Justice System Fails LGBT People (Washington, DC & Denver, CO: CAP & MAP, 2016), 3. They are especially vulnerable to hate crimes, targeting by law enforcement, mental illness, substance use disorders, and lack of access to health care.^[]CAP and MAP, Unjust, iii-v.

Top Things to Know

1

New initiative seeks to end girls’ incarceration.

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2

Violence Against Women Act expires, a casualty of the government shutdown.

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On Our Radar

Massachusetts passes landmark prison reform bill.

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New initiative seeks to collect data about system-involved LGBT kids.

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More Lenses

Disability

Women & Girls

Public Health

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