By Steven Goldberg, on behalf of NLG Portland As an older Guild member, I have always taken pride in representing, working with and learning from my clients, both within and outside of the U.S. I have been mindful of my privilege, that my background and economic and cultural circumstances are so different from my clients, […]
Issues: Guild Notes Vol. 42, No. 2/3 (Summer/Fall 2017)
Judge Approves Enhanced Surveillance Rules following Disclosure of NYPD Muslim Surveillance Program
In March, a federal judge in Manhattan approved changes strengthening court-ordered guidelines governing policing of political and First Amendment activity by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Judge Charles S. Haight Jr.’s approval of Revised Handschu Guidelines recovers some features weakened when he “relaxed” the longstanding Handschu Guidelines in 2003 following the September 11th […]
2017 Weinglass Fellow Emily Posner to Fight Toxic Prisons
We’re thrilled to announce the 2017 Weinglass Fellowship recipient! Emily Posner will be collaborating with the Campaign to Fight Toxic Prisons and the Abolitionist Law Center to work on a strategic campaign to exhaust federal inmate’s administrative remedies in an effort to challenge the Bureau of Prison’s proposal to build a new maximum security prison […]
Beyond Bars: Life at Vaughn Prison as a Black Transwoman
When I was sentenced in 2011 to 25 years in prison, I was largely relieved. At least I would escape temporarily the hell of rape, violence, and discrimination which my life on the streets as a black transwoman had involved. Many transgender people like me are ostracized by our families, refused respite in public shelters, […]
Beyond Bars: Law as a Pathway to Character Development
By Jeremiah Phoenix Dannemora, NY As readers of this column know well, familiarity with law is a valuable and often necessary skill in prison. A talented prisoner litigant can effect significant positive change for himself or herself and their fellow brothers and sisters, and can protect themselves from repression and abuse in ways people without […]
Beyond Bars: Innocent Until Proven Guilty?
By C. Martin Sterling Newark, NJ We are assured that if we are charged with a crime in the “Land of the Free,” we are, “innocent until proven guilty.” We are handcuffed and shackled in front of friends, family, and neighbors, though we are, “innocent until proven guilty.” We are vilified by the media, for […]