Lawyers
Litigation partner Loretta Lynch appeared on the October 14 episode of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to discuss the findings of a new report by the Women’s Justice Commission, a multi-year research and policy development initiative of the Council on Criminal Justice. Loretta, who is chair of the commission, noted that the percentage of women entering the criminal justice system in recent years has doubled; the commission sought to find out why and offer recommendations to address various issues, focusing on the arrest and sentencing stages.
Released on October 7, the commission’s report, “Stronger Families, Safer Communities: Improving Outcomes for Women at the Front End of the Justice System,” recommends prioritizing evidence-based alternatives to arrest, basing pretrial detention on risk, and expanding charging and sentencing considerations. These and other recommendations aim to break generational cycles of incarceration by addressing drug addiction, mental health struggles and other concerns in ways that limit women’s involvement in the carceral system while still holding them accountable.
» watch the video
Related Insights
