What’s it like spending Christmas behind bars? Ian Acheson, The Spectator
Thinking of Those Who Can’t Be Home for the Holidays Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, The Appeal
All They Want for the Holidays Is for Their Loved Ones to Come Home From Prison Victoria Law, Truthout
NJ’s public defender: Breakdowns in our jails have led to tragedies Joseph E. Krakora, Newark Star-Ledger
‘It’s definitely coming to a boiling point’: Families, inmates worry about what comes next in Kansas prisons Andrew Bahl, Topeka Capital-Journal
‘Legal Deserts’ Leave More Texans of Color and the Poor in Jails and State Prisons Jacob Vaugh, Dallas Observer
Broken federal clemency system needs fixing Editorial Board, Boston Globe
Biden touts criminal justice record – but advocates want more action quickly Joe Davidson, Washington Post
Biden’s Low Marks on Crime Are Killing Reform Zak Cheney-Rice, New York Magazine
Gun Violence in 2021, By the Numbers Chip Brownlee, The Trace
The Great Shoplifting Freak-Out Amanda Mull, The Atlantic
Smash-and-grabs, California, and the limits of criminal justice reform Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor
LAPD warn of crime wave, but data show theft, robberies down Dennis Romero, NBC News
Police Disinformation Is Still Disinformation Jerry Iannelli, The Appeal
How Paid Experts Help Exonerate Police After Deaths in Custody Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, Mike McIntire, Rebecca R. Ruiz, Julie Tate, and Michael H. Keller, New York Times
Despite Uproar Over Floyd’s Death, the Number of Fatal Encounters With Police Hasn’t Changed Tim Arango and Giulia Heyward, New York Times
Activists focus on systemic change after verdict in Daunte Wright death Torey Van Oot and Nick Halter, Axios
In the Struggle with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor E. Tammy Kim, Lux Magazine
“When I Saw Him I Knew It Was Real”: Devonia Inman Is Free After 23 Years Behind Bars Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith, The Intercept
Sealing Records, Opening Doors Rob DeLeon, Gotham Gazette