Prison justice

Brazil’s Supreme Court decriminalizes possession of marijuana for personal use

June 26, 2024 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

The Supreme Court’s ruling has long been sought by activists and legal scholars in a country where the prison population has become the third largest in the world. Critics of current legislation say users caught with even small amounts of drugs are regularly convicted on trafficking charges and locked up in overcrowded jails, where they are forced to join prison gangs.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore set to issue 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions

June 16, 2024 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

During a news conference, Moore said the executive order will affect “tens of thousands of Marylanders” convicted of misdemeanors. Some may have had more than one conviction pardoned through the process. Advocates praised the move as a way of removing barriers to housing, employment, or educational opportunities based on convictions for conduct that is no longer illegal.

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Germany approves partial legalization of cannabis

March 22, 2024 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

The new law will allow adults to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis for their own consumption and store up to 50 grams at home. Public consumption will be allowed, so long as it is not within sight of children or near sports facilities. It will also be prohibited in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. It is slated to come into effect on April 1.

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Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in D.C.

December 22, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

The sweeping pardon applies to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in possession of marijuana for their personal use and those convicted of similar federal crimes. It also forgives pot users in the District of Columbia.

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in D.C. Read more

Massachusetts becomes fifth state in the U.S. to make prison calls free

November 20, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

“Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety,” Governor Healey said in a written statement.

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Aerial view of Northwestern University campus

For the first time, U.S. prisoners graduate from top university

November 16, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program has now welcomed its inaugural graduating class of incarcerated students. Around 100 students are enrolled in the Northwestern program across Stateville Correctional Center for men and the Logan Correctional Center for women.

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Ghana ends capital punishment

July 28, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

The West African country currently has 170 men and six women on death row, whose sentences will now be replaced by life imprisonment. Until now, execution has been the mandatory sentence for murder in Ghana.

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Two women kissing, one holding a LGBTQ pride flag

U.K. to pardon women convicted of homosexuality

July 7, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

The British Home Office is expanding a program that pardons people convicted of any offense related to homosexuality. Previously, the program was only available to men, but it is now open to women.

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Silhouette of person holding cannabis leaf

Minnesota becomes 23rd U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana

June 13, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

Under the measure, people with marijuana convictions will have a chance to clear their records by automatically expunging low-level convictions and establishing a review board to determine eligibility for higher-level offenses.

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Yale, University of New Haven partnership celebrates first degrees awarded to inmates

June 9, 2023 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

In 2021, Yale partnered with UNH to give student-inmates a path to two and four year college degrees. The program is now part of a consortium that includes 15 schools and prison systems across the country.

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