America Is Having a Violence Wave, Not a Crime Wave David A. Graham, The Atlantic
Inside the San Francisco Bay Area’s pandemic murder surge: ‘No one knows this pain but us’ Abené Clayton, The Guardian
As vaccination efforts continue, COVID-19 isn’t the most serious threat facing some Philadelphians. Consider gun violence. Jason Laughlin, Philadelphia Inquirer
“We Get to Hear Them Training to Kill Us” Christina Cauterucci, Slate
More guns, pandemic stress and a police legitimacy crisis created perfect conditions for homicide spike in 2020 Justin Nix, The Conversation
How a Chicago murder suspect was charged, then uncharged, in an extraordinary behind-the-scenes battle among law enforcement Tom Schuba and Matthew Hendrickson, Chicago Sun-Times
Tim Scott Turns Against His Own Police-Reform Plan Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine
Can Police Unions Be a Force for Reform? The Crime Report
Dozens Of Massachusetts State Police Have Resigned Over A Vaccine Mandate, Union Says Jonathan Franklin, NPR
All California prison guards, staff must get COVID-19 vaccine, federal judge rules Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times
Public Defenders, Activists Call On Judges To Address Mounting Rikers Death Toll George Joseph, Gothamist
‘The Whole Thing Upsets Me’: Mayor Finally Visits Rikers Jonah E. Bromwich and Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times
‘It’s Hard to Find the Words to Describe How Bad It Is Right Now’ Nia Prater, New York Magazine
‘I Just Want to Be Normal’: A Mentally Ill Man’s Death at Rikers Jan Ransom and Jonah E. Bromwich, New York Times
Solitary Confinement and Mental Illness in Illinois Prisons Shannon Heffernan, WBEZ
Prisoner advocacy group seeks to cut sentences for mentally ill inmates stuck in solitary confinement in Illinois prisons Stefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times
The challenge of mercy Joel Mathis, The Week
House Passes EQUAL Act to Erase Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powder Cocaine CJ Ciaramella, Reason
LA County DA to dismiss 60,000 past marijuana convictions James Queally, Los Angeles Times
As redistricting begins, states tackle the issue of ‘prison gerrymandering’ Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post
Prison polling places? Some lawmakers, advocates want to restore voting rights to those behind bars Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times
‘Organizers Change What’s Possible’ Sharlyn Grace, Inquest