Category Archives: Prisons and Justice and Police

An Officer Acting Out Of Concern For His Own Safety, According To UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Ampersand

UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza said officers used force out of concern for their own safety after they were surrounded by students. “If you look at the video you are going to see that there were 200 people in … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police | 58 Comments

Open Thread, so that’s why people become cops edition

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Ampersand

I read this story on Reason Magazine – a typically appalling police forfeiture story in which cops raided a strip club for drugs and, finding no drugs, confiscated (without receipt) cash, computers, computer pads, and the manager’s wallet. But what … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Link farms, Prisons and Justice and Police | 20 Comments

Study: Lighter-Skinned Black Women Get Lighter Prison Sentences

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Ampersand

From the blog “Layers of Blackness“: ‘The Impact of Light Skin on Prison Time for Black Female Offenders’ is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between skin tone and sentencing among African American women. It looked at … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police, Race, racism and related issues | 1 Comment

California’s “Alternative Custody Program” Is Sexist Against Men

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Ampersand

California has a new program to let some non-violent offenders serve some time living at home, wearing an ankle monitor. Yay California! ((Unfortunately, the program may not last long, since it only applies to people in prisons, and soon California … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police, Sexism hurts men | 19 Comments

We Should Have The Right To Record On-Duty Police

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Ampersand

It’s not often I agree with Glenn Reynolds, but his editorial about the recent trend of police harassing and arresting citizens for recording the police as they publicly perform their duties is spot-on. The most outrageous example may be Tiawanda … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Free speech, censorship, copyright law, etc., Prisons and Justice and Police | 2 Comments

Credibility Should Matter. And Not Only In Rape Cases.

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Ampersand

This post from Unqualified Offerings says it perfectly: In general, I agree that prosecutors should refuse to go to court with a criminal case if the case hinges on testimony from a person who cannot be trusted.  This is, in … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 5 Comments

Wanna Support Marriage? End The Drug War. Fight Unemployment.

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Ampersand

[Crossposted on Family Scholars Blog.] As an unintended consequence of participating in so many arguments about marriage equality, I’ve read a lot of work by so-called marriage advocates. Although on the subject of same-sex marriage I haven’t found their arguments … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like, Families structures, divorce, etc, Prisons and Justice and Police | 30 Comments

A Messed-Up Libertarianism

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Ampersand

A quote from libertarian Jim Henley, via LOOG: Most libertarians would agree that it’s a messed-up state that: * Creates a massive crime problem in poor minority neighborhoods with a futile, vicious and every more far-reaching attempt to prevent commerce … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Libertarianism, Prisons and Justice and Police, Race, racism and related issues | 2 Comments

The Minister in charge of police and upholding rape culture

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Maia

I haven’t written about, and don’t feel capable of writing about, the earthquake in Christchurch. I am too close, and too far away (I am OK, everyone I know is OK). Other people have written about the experience powerfully eloquently, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prisoner rape, Prisons and Justice and Police, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues | 8 Comments

Top Wisconsin Court OKs Putting Non-Sex Offenders on Sex Offender Registry

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Ampersand

From The Legal Watchdog: For each violent rapist, a registry may contain dozens of teenagers who had consensual sex with younger teens, and dozens of other teens who were convicted of “sexting,” urinating in public, or similar behavior. But, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police | 44 Comments