Delays in Garland hearing, and in replacing U.S. attorneys, put justice reform in jeopardy
FEB. 2, 2021 – President Biden and Vice President Harris have spoken of the need for criminal justice reform, but for them to make meaningful change, it will take not just good policy but also the right personnel. In this USA Today op-ed, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky and former head of the DOJ’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Founder of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Shay Bilchik share why personnel is policy and emphasize that the administration needs to swiftly act to ensure key leadership positions at OJJDP, the COPS Office, and U.S. Attorneys offices are staffed with people who reflect the diversity of our community and are committed to reform.
“Starting fresh with a new slate of U.S. attorneys and DOJ leaders who share a new vision for justice would reflect the transformative moment we’re in…. Biden needs attorneys and DOJ leaders who embrace reform. It means looking at the burgeoning reform-minded state and local prosecutor movement for examples of leaders who are committed to systemic change.”
Stop the attempt to derail D.A. George Gascón’s criminal justice reforms
JAN. 28, 2021 – The Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop LA County DA George Gascón from implementing the exact policies the people elected him to carry out. In this Los Angeles Times op-ed, University of California at Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky explain why this is a clear infringement on prosecutorial discretion and a disregard for the will of the people, who elected DA Gascón to usher in a new vision of justice in their community.
“[S]tripping [Gascón] of control over officewide policymaking — as the lawsuit is trying to do — rejects the agenda the voters of Los Angeles County chose, erodes the discretion vested in the district attorney and sets a bad precedent for judicial control over the prosecutor’s office.”
Trump’s last days in office marred by disregard for human life. Death penalty just another example.
JAN. 11, 2021 – The Trump Administration repeatedly displayed an unconscionable disregard for human life, culminating in the incitement of an attack on the U.S. Capitol, thousands of COVID-19 deaths every day, and a rush of executions in the waning weeks of this presidency. With three more federal executions scheduled before the president leaves office, in this USA Today op-ed, former U.S. Attorney Donald Ayer, Georgia’s Western Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky urge the administration to rethink the sanctioning of further loss of life and, instead, embrace a starting point that a growing majority of Americans support.
“The death penalty represents the worst of us — revenge and cruelty — and does nothing to deter crime or make our communities safer.”
L.A. and S.F. have it right: No children should be prosecuted as adults
DEC. 27, 2020 – Every state in the U.S. still allows the prosecution of children as adults, despite evidence that it does not make communities any safer and actually leads to higher recidivism rates compared to youth-focused systems. As of 2018, more than 4,000 children were locked in adult prisons or jails on any given night. In this op-ed in the San Franscisco Chronicle, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky and Campaign for Youth Justice CEO Marcy Mistrett share why ending the practice of prosecuting children as adults is so critical and how elected prosecutors can be leading voices for change.
“As we face a challenging holiday season unlike any other, we must remember the children behind bars experiencing profound danger and hardship, particularly in the wake of the rapid spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons. It’s time for our leaders to do better and end the practice of prosecuting children as adults.”
How Joe Biden can root out racism in criminal justice
DEC. 25, 2020 – After an election that delivered Joe Biden a historic win and saw voters in red and blue states alike back criminal justice reforms, the president-elect has a mandate to implement systemic change. On day one, the new administration can immediately enact a number of policies that will significantly advance racial justice, especially in the areas of drug policy, juvenile justice, second chances, and police accountability. In this CNN op-ed, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky share how President-elect Biden can make full use of his authority to usher in a new vision of justice, starting on day one.
“[W]ith lives on the line and calls for change in 2021 mounting, there is no time to waste. Biden should not hesitate to strike quickly and often in the ongoing battle for racial justice.”