10.21
Michele W. Berger
Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Criminology
Game-changing approach to a better U.S. criminal justice system
Game-changing approach to a better U.S. criminal justice system
Through its emphasis on data-driven, systemic solutions to errors afflicting the criminal justice system, the Law School’s Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice has become a national leader in reform efforts.
What is a ‘mass shooting’ and how do we talk about gun violence?
What is a ‘mass shooting’ and how do we talk about gun violence?
In a Q&A, criminologist Richard Berk discusses why definitions matter and what role social media and mental illness play in this context.
Preventative measures against mass violence
Preventative measures against mass violence
Richard Berk, professor of criminology and statistics and chair of the Department of Criminology, taps into perpetrator patterns to forecast crime.
Documentary shows discriminatory impact of state legal assistance provision
Documentary shows discriminatory impact of state legal assistance provision
The Penn Program on Documentaries and the Law has produced a new documentary that exposes the discriminatory impact of a provision of the Pennsylvania Victims Assistance Compensation Program law that denies assistance to victims who contribute, or are suspected of contributing, to their own death or injury.
For incarcerated women, From Cell to Home offers a second chance
For incarcerated women, From Cell to Home offers a second chance
The program, run by the Ortner Center’s Kathleen M. Brown with support from Penn student volunteers and the Quattrone Center, works to secure the release of reformed prisoners serving life sentences.
Quattrone Center leads Philadelphia Event Review Team to analyze wrongful convictions
Quattrone Center leads Philadelphia Event Review Team to analyze wrongful convictions
The Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice and city agencies have joined together in a partnership that seeks to improve the fairness and accuracy of the criminal justice system.
States with strict gun laws see increase in homicides when they border states with lax ones
States with strict gun laws see increase in homicides when they border states with lax ones
Over a five-year period, most guns found in states with strict gun laws were obtained from less restrictive states.
Law faculty perspectives on passage of the First Step Act
Law faculty perspectives on passage of the First Step Act
Penn Law faculty weigh in on the passage of the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that modifies sentencing laws, expands job training, and takes additional steps intended to reduce recidivism and create a fairer and less costly criminal justice system.
‘Second Looks, Second Chances’ examines parole reform for life sentences
‘Second Looks, Second Chances’ examines parole reform for life sentences
Regina Austin, Penn Law’s William A. Schnader Professor of Law, has authored a new paper offering a behind-the-scenes account of producing a documentary calling for commuting life sentences for prisoners in Pennsylvania.
VAWA renewal is overdue—but approval is contentious
VAWA renewal is overdue—but approval is contentious
The landmark 1994 legislation—the Violence Against Women Act—is up for reauthorization, and includes a firearm-related provision.
Media Contact
In the News
The Wall Street Journal
The FBI’s crime data: What happens when states don’t fully report
“That’s just noise,” said the School of Arts and Sciences’ Richard Berk, commenting on the insignificance of a less than 1 percent decrease in violent crime from 2016 to 2017, as reported by the FBI.
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Houston Chronicle
Houston police team up with Ring app to tackle crime
Maria Cuellar of the School of Arts and Sciences commented a partnership between the Houston Police Department and Ring, a home surveillance company that offers video doorbells, saying that there is not enough evidence to claim that the devices reduce crime.
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