Criminal Justice
Fewer inmates will not mean a prison closure in 2019, Pa. officials say
The number of inmates in Pennsylvania has hit the lowest point in a decade, but prison officials say the time isn’t right to close a prison.
5 years ago
81 Pa. county jail suicides in 4 years: A look at how jails report deaths
Numbers from the state Department of Corrections provide context for the breadth of the problem across Pennsylvania. Figures for the most recent year were released in February
5 years ago
Sen. Booker reintroducing Marijuana Justice Act
Sen. Cory Booker, one of half a dozen Democratic senators running for the White House, is reintroducing a bill on Thursday that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana.
5 years ago
One bishop’s conscience: Why the Catholic Church is slow to change amid sex-abuse crisis
Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico has been outspoken about the sexual abuse scandals that have stained the Catholic Church. Even he is taking a wait-and-see approach.
Air Date: February 28, 2019
Listen 12:35Handling priority mail: Pennsylvania’s prison mail controversy
The controversy has raised the question of what takes precedent: the safety and security of prisons or the protection of attorney-client privilege?
Air Date: February 27, 2019
Listen 12:44Sex abuse, the powerful, and criminal justice
We discuss the Jeffrey Epstein and other recent cases of powerful people who, until now, have escaped justice for sex abuse crimes.
Air Date: February 26, 2019 10:00 am
Listen 49:29Catholic cardinal charged with child sex abuse convicted in Australia
The jury convicted Cardinal George Pell of abusing two 13-year-old boys whom he had caught swigging sacramental wine in Melbourne's St. Patrick's Cathedral in late 1996
5 years ago
Beaten behind closed doors: A look into abuse at Glen Mills Schools
After several incidents came to light in the early 2000s, the school said it would take action. So why are beatings still happening?
Air Date: February 25, 2019
Listen 15:55Pa. Corrections Department settling lawsuit over contentious legal mail policy
The DOC has confirmed it will stop photocopying inmates’ legal mail and go back to giving them original copies.
5 years ago
Pa. taxpayers continue funding state troopers in towns without cops after years of capitol debate
Republican leaders want to charge municipalities for state police service based on workload indicators like calls for service instead of the governor’s proposed population-dri
5 years ago
Listen 1:22The trial over Pa.’s prison mail policy may be heading toward a settlement
The unprecedented security measures at the center of this trial involved giving inmates photocopies of their mail, while the prison temporarily stored the originals.
5 years ago
Philly first assistant district attorney devoted to keeping kids out of criminal justice system
Robert Listenbee Jr., a former official in the Obama administration, works to keep kids out of the criminal justice system through rehabilitation.
5 years ago
The end of civil asset forfeiture? U.S. Supreme Court ruling has advocates hopeful
The U.S. Supreme Court placed limits on the civil asset forfeiture, but Pennsylvania’s high court already reined in the program throughout the state.
5 years ago
Delaware lawmaker calls AG ‘way out of her lane’ on relaxed pot policy
Delaware’s new attorney general says her office won’t prosecute possession of up to six ounces of marijuana when the person isn’t dealing the drug.
5 years ago
Listen 1:43Is Pa.’s prison mail policy legal? It might depend (in part) on how fast guards can read
A federal trial is underway on whether Pennsylvania's policy for handling legal mail sent to prisons violates inmates' First Amendment rights.
5 years ago