News / FJP Releases

March 26, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Releases Issue Brief and Model Policy Advocating for the Decriminalization of Consensual Sex Work

Today, Fair and Just Prosecution announced the release of a comprehensive issue brief and model policy designed to help elected prosecutors develop evidenced-based policies for decriminalizing consensual sex work. These new resources highlight the significant public safety and health benefits of decriminalizing sex workers and provide clear recommendations for how prosecutors can consider handling these cases in ways that limit both illegal trafficking and reduce threats against sex workers themselves.

FJP’s issue brief, titled “Decriminalizing Sex Work: Key Principles and Policy Recommendations for Prosecutors,” offers an in-depth analysis of the harms associated with the criminalization of sex work and outlines evidence-based recommendations for change. The brief emphasizes that consensual sex work and sex trafficking are distinct issues that require different legal approaches. Criminalizing consensual sex work, the brief notes, only drives sex workers away from seeking help from law enforcement, exacerbates their vulnerabilities, and undermines trust in our criminal legal system.

FJP’s new model policy is a resource for prosecutors seeking to make a difference on this issue. It offers guidance on creating policies to avoid unnecessary prosecution of consensual sex work while continuing to vigorously pursue cases involving violence, trafficking, and abuse of minors. The policy also provides guidance on expunging charges related to consensual sex work that may prevent vulnerable sex workers from seeking other employment opportunities. By decriminalizing consensual sex work, the policy encourages a focus on “public health and harm reduction rather than punitive measures.”

March 25, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Welcomes Preston Shipp as New Director of Advocacy and Policy

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) is pleased to announce that Preston Shipp has joined the organization as its new Director of Advocacy and Policy. In this leadership role, Preston will drive FJP’s national advocacy efforts, shape policy strategies, and collaborate with forward-thinking leaders to implement transformative initiatives aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, reducing mass incarceration, and strengthening public safety.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Preston to FJP at a time when our work is more urgent than ever,” said Acting Co-Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution Robin Olsen. “Preston brings deep personal commitment and powerful leadership in the movement to reimagine justice. His voice will be a tremendous asset as we continue to support leaders across the country working to build a criminal legal system grounded in fairness, equity, and compassion.”

March 24, 2025

“The End of the Rule of Law as We Know It” – FJP Condemns Trump Assault on Legal Community As Assault on Democracy

March 21, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Condemns New York’s Suspension of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act

New York State prisons and jails have been systemically violating the HALT Solitary Confinement Law since it went into effect in 2022. The HALT Solitary Confinement Law was enacted by a supermajority of New York’s legislature and signed into law by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021.

In February 2025 – three years after the law went into effect – Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Daniel F. Martuscello III announced the prisons will double down on their violations of the HALT Solitary Law, with an illegal so-called “suspension.” The announcement came as an attempt to quell a labor dispute with New York’s correction’s union which has driven a series of wildcat strikes by corrections officers. These strikes have resulted in the death of more than five incarcerated people.”

Amy Fettig, Acting Co-Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution, issued the following statement:

“The Hochul Administration’s continued refusal to enforce the HALT Solitary Law is dangerous, unlawful, and, quite frankly – Trumpian. This is not a ‘suspension’ but an unlawful plan to violate both the law and New York’s separation of powers. The HALT Solitary Law was enacted by a supermajority of the legislature and the Governor because prolonged isolation is a form of torture that inflicts devastating harm on incarcerated people and is inconsistent with basic New York values around human and civil rights. The state prison commissioner is not above the law and can not simply disregard the law.

March 20, 2025

FJP Statement on Tonight’s Scheduled Execution of Edward Thomas James

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) condemns the upcoming execution of Edward Thomas James in Florida, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection tonight, Thursday, March 20th at 6 P.M. EST. Mr. James pled guilty to the state’s charges of murdering Betty Dick and Toni Neuner in 1993. He was sentenced to death by a jury vote of 11-1, with one juror voting against this sentence.

Florida’s lethal injection protocols have been a subject of significant controversy and legal challenges. Since 2017, Florida has relied on untested drugs such as etomidate and potassium acetate for use in executions, which have been argued to ‘create an unacceptable risk of severe pain,’ violating the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig issued the following statement ahead of Florida’s planned execution tonight:

“Barring last minute intervention, the state of Florida will execute Mr. James with lethal injection tonight. If Governor DeSantis allows this execution to go forward as scheduled, he will be taking an extraordinary step that will only serve to undermine public trust in the courts, our criminal legal system, and ultimately the rule of law. Every citizen of this democracy should be outraged that any state government anywhere can justify ending a human life if even one single juror votes against it.”