How local D.A.s can help protect immigrant families from dangerous federal policies
JAN. 19, 2023 – The cruel and inhumane response to our nation’s border crisis – from using migrants as political pawns to President Biden expanding harsh policies intended to crack down on asylum seekers – has left a void of compassionate leadership in immigration policy. In an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky explain how elected prosecutors can be unexpected leaders in the immigration debate by implementing policies that support immigrant communities, build local trust, and promote public safety for all.
“We know that anti-immigrant policies aren’t just inhumane; they’re also dangerous. Our criminal legal system depends on all members of the community to report crimes, cooperate with investigators, testify in court and join efforts to prevent future violence — but we cannot expect people to collaborate with a government they don’t trust.”
Police used DNA to identify a suspect in the Idaho killings. What does that tell us?
JAN. 10, 2023 – Developments in DNA technology can be incredibly beneficial to investigations – and also help exonerate the innocent – but it’s essential that criminal justice leaders and the public understand their limitations. In an op-ed in NBC News THINK, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky and Senior Research, Policy and Communications Associate Rebecca Blair explain why we must think critically about DNA analysis as well as other advancements in forensic science to ensure that every investigation meets the high standards required for justice and accountability.
“The criminal legal system is increasingly relying on innovative new techniques for analyzing genetic material. As such, it’s important that we build a greater understanding among both the criminal justice field and the public of how DNA is used, what it can tell us definitively and what it cannot.”
2023 presents reform opportunities for prosecutors across the nation
JAN. 6, 2023 – Last year, voters across the country demonstrated their continuing appetite for justice reform with the election and re-election of inspiring local prosecutors who are leading the charge on transforming the criminal legal system. In an op-ed in The Crime Report, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky discusses the successes of the reform-minded prosecutor movement in 2022 and looks ahead to opportunities for reform in 2023, from addressing extreme sentences and holding police accountable to promoting reproductive justice and providing transparency through data.
“Time and again, pundits and tough-on-crime forces have prematurely predicted the demise of the reform-minded prosecutor movement. But 2022 solidified that this is in fact a movement, not a moment, and these elected officials are poised to lead the way on justice reform in 2023.”
It’s time to take punishment out of our mental health response
DEC. 8, 2022 – All too often, people experiencing mental health crises in the U.S. are met with police and punishment instead of care and compassion. In an op-ed in USA Today, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, retired Albany, N.Y. Police Chief Brendan Cox, and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky explain how elected prosecutors, law enforcement, public health experts, and community leaders can come together to develop new responses to mental health that promote the health and safety of individuals and communities.
“When someone is in crisis and needs help, we have a choice: We can continue to try to incarcerate our way out of our country’s mental health challenges or we can respond with humanity and care, saving lives and creating healthier, safer communities.”
Reform – not crime – was the winning message in 2022
NOV. 11, 2022 – Despite rampant fearmongering from tough-on-crime proponents in the 2022 election cycle, communities showed yet again that they want real change in the justice system. In an op-ed in The Crime Report, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky and Communications Director Alyssa Kress recap the many electoral victories for reform-minded prosecutors around the country and discuss why we must continue to push back on widespread misinformation about crime and crime that only serves to protect the status quo.
“We hope that the visionary leaders elected…will help fuel changes in their communities and that those who remain wedded to traditional tough-on-crime approaches will open their minds to a different – and safer – future.”