A transformation of policing to center public health and safety will deliver more equitable criminal justice outcomes, and more importantly, save lives.
The Public Purpose
The Graduate Journal of American University's School of Public Affairs
Criminal Justice
The Racialization of Innocence on Death Row
Innocence in capital crimes is a pervasive problem further perpetuated by racism, implicit bias, and the presumption of guilt. Policymakers, states, and voters must confront these disparities and prioritize the death penalty’s abolition.
The People’s Response Act: Can We Reimagine Public Safety?
Most Americans do not expect the criminal justice system to prevent crime and ensure a fair administration of justice. If we want to build safer communities and trust in our justice system, the People’s Response Act offers a way forward.
The Relationship Between State-Level Gun Policies and Gun Deaths
On average, the gun death rates in states with strong gun laws are a fraction of those in states with weak gun regulations. It’s well beyond time that these demonstrated, lifesaving solutions are instituted across America.
Did You Know That Your Tax Dollars Are Contributing to Police Brutality?
Minorities, specifically African Americans, have a long history of being disproportionately affected by the very “policing” structure that protects others.
The Militarization of America’s Police Force
Police departments are increasingly more aggressive when carrying out routine operations, especially within communities of color. Military-grade weapons, equipment, and vehicles have no place within routine police work in American communities.
COVID-19 Exposes Inhumanity in the Social Justice System
COVID-19 has and continues to impact each of us differently; however, the pandemic has further revealed how the United States has continuously failed to address the country's disparities. COVID-19 has shown Americans that minority communities are the most...
We May Be on the Cusp of Substantive Drug Policy Reform
The 2020 election has brought high levels of anxiety, longer than normal vote counts, and a massive voter turnout. Both candidates have received more votes than any other presidential candidate in United States’ history, beating former President Obama’s record in...
Reimagining American Policing
The United States may be undergoing the largest civil rights movement in American history. The Black Lives Matter protests, beginning on May 26 and surging in June, emerged in response to the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the murder of a jogger...
Gun Control: An Update Since Parkland’s Tragedy
The U.S. media is constantly reporting on a mass shooting, in what seems like every few weeks. Casualties from gun violence are so prevalent, we almost have become numb to them and feel like we are waiting for the next one. In a rare, but tragic event, one survivor of...
Families Belong Together: The “Zero-Tolerance” Policy Dilemma and Family Border Separation
In May 2018, the Trump administration released its “zero-tolerance” policy wherein immigration and border security officials were to utilize stringent — and arguably inhumane — tactics targeted at mass detention and deportation of individuals crossing the U.S....
FBI’s No-fly List: Efficacy and Transparency Called into Question
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) no-fly list is seemingly an uncontroversial and comprehensive approach to ensuring the national security of the United States. However, under closer scrutiny, the list proves to be flawed. Currently, there are...