Conservatives Only Care About the Incarcerated When It Comes to the Capitol Rioters
Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene decried jail conditions in D.C. but remain silent about a settlement in Prince George’s County.
Empowering Justice-Impacted Voices
As Black Business Month wraps up, we proudly shine a spotlight on justice-impacted women entrepreneurs who are defying the odds and changing the narrative.
Court-Watching Programs: Purpose and Progress
In the U.S., court hearings are generally public. This was intended to ensure that justice was administered in the open and with public knowledge. But, most people have never been inside of a courtroom, and their perceptions of what happens in court too often come from television or movies. Court-watching programs ensure scrutiny and evaluation.…
Chairman Blumberg
Chopping it up with Chairman Blumberg and his commissioners today at the parole commission in a 2-hour meeting – trying to free our people through parole. The work never stops, especially when you love what you do. “I love what I do” I represent “Qiana at Life After Release”, I represent “myself at Helping Ourselves…
Court watch movement is growing in numbers and public attention
For the past two years, pop singer Fiona Apple has volunteered with Courtwatch PG, the largest court watch program in the country, to observe legal proceedings in Prince George’s County, Maryland, from her home in Los Angeles.
‘Fiona Apple, don’t be mad at me’: Md. court transparency bill rejected again
In a 20-page report released this week, Howard University law students urged Md. lawmakers to pass a law that would mandate public virtual access to court proceedings
Fiona Apple and Carmen Johnson on promoting courtroom transparency
A group of volunteer court observers across the country is coming together to launch a new national network to observe bail review hearings and other legal proceedings. Join Courtwatch PG director Carmen Johnson and Grammy-winning artist Fiona Apple, a volunteer court observer in Prince George’s County, Md., to discuss their push for more transparency and accountability in courtrooms nationwide.
Support Our Organization with a Purchase
We are excited to announce that the Helping Ourselves to Transform fundraising store has gone live. With each purchase, you are helping this organization to continue to provide services and support to our returning brothers and sisters. 100% of the proceeds go directly to these efforts so please don’t hesitate to add something to your…
Private Prison Sues State for Not Having Enough Prisoners
A private prison in Arizona recently sued the state for having a lack of prisoners. For the sake of saving over $16 million in back pay, the state settled by paying the private prison $3 million. Arizona essentially paid a company $3 million because not enough people are committing crimes.
Once jailed, these women now hold courts accountable — with help from students, retirees and Fiona Apple
From her makeshift home office on the island in her kitchen, Carmen Johnson picked up her phone and dialed the number for the clerk of the court, beginning what had become her near-daily ritual since the pandemic upended the legal system and forced courts to go virtual.