Content categorized as Incarceration

Arlington residents say new mental health diversion court program was rushed

While attendees of a public forum on Aug. 15 agreed that a docket on behavioral health could benefit individuals with mental health issues, they said the program should not require participants to plead guilty and requires more public feedback before becoming final.

Halfway Houses

Vendor Ron Smoot shares his experience going in and out of halfway houses throughout his life.

“We’re all we got:” Former and current Hope Village residents fear the future of re-entry in DC

Regardless of the years of reports showing poor conditions and minimal resources, the value of Hope Village remains debated as federally incarcerated DC residents across the country fear losing their one connection to home.

Treading the Waters, Pt.18

Vendor Gerald Anderson describes his experience watching his friends grow up with prison sentences in the latest chapter of “Treading the Waters.”

Treading the Waters, Pt. 17

Artist/vendor Gerald Anderson describes his experience watching friends he had grown up with receive prison sentences.

Treading the Waters, Part 16

Gerald describes the ins, outs, and risks of prison life in the sixteenth installment of the series, complete with spades and torture games.

Redemption

Artist and vendor Ronald Smoot shares his view on life after being released from jail

Treading the Waters, Part 14

In the 14th installment of his ongoing life story, Gerald hears news of his friends being incarcerated in New Orleans.

Treading the Waters, Part 13

The saga of two young men growing up in New Orleans continues. See what happens next.

Treading the Waters, Part 12

The saga of two young men growing up in New Orleans continues. See what happens next.

“LIKE LL & MJ – I’M B.A.D.D.!” (Brothaz Against Drunk Driving)

Black Fields thinks about his cousin Jaquania’s death in a drunk driving accident and the consequences that followed.

Georgetown’s new program prepares returning citizens to be entrepreneurs.
K-12 schools should follow GU’s lead.

Steve Lilienthal argues the GU Pivot program should be demonstrated in other schools throughout the U.S.

Treading the Waters, Part 3

Artist/Vendor Gerald Anderson recounts his experiences getting arrested in New Orleans.

Don’t Vote

An opinion piece detailing author Levester Green’s opinions on the voting system and its flaws.

Our Tent City

Laticia Brock describes her time living in “Tent City” and the experiences she shared with the people she lived with.

Perception or Reality: A mile in their shoes

Robert Williams invites readers to imagine themselves as homeless and to consider the challenges they would face.

Shortages at Saint Elizabeths Hospital leave people languishing in D.C. Jail

A report released Feb. 26 by the Office of the D.C. Auditor and the Council for Court Excellence documents serious shortcomings in the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health, including instances in which staff without formal forensic training made decisions regarding patients’ competency to stand trial and their criminal responsibility for the charges they face.

How guns have affected my life

Guns have affected my life in many ways. Guns tend to put hate, trauma, fear and unforgiveness in the human conscience.

D.C. ACLU sues U.S. Marshals for degrading eviction

The American Civil Liberties Union D.C. filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Marshals Service for an eviction that occurred in June 2015, where marshals entered the home of a woman with weapons drawn and evicted her and her twelve-year-old daughter.

Seeking Justice: Cory Booker talks housing, environment & employment for all

Street Sense Media Vendor Aida Peery interviews Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) about jobs, homelessness, the housing crisis, health care, incarceration and more.