By: Katie Hall     Under current case law, political, or partisan, gerrymandering is a federally legal practice legislators can utilize to ensure their parties secure legislative seats. The Supreme Court heard cases of partisan gerrymandering throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, establishing different standards for evaluating its constitutionality. In 2019, the Supreme Court decided in Rucho v. Common Cause that partisan gerrymandering was a non-justiciable … Continue reading Creating a New Standard for Assessing the Unconstitutionality of Political Gerrymandering

By: Gracie Elliott I started working at the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) shortly after my 1L year came to an end. Originally, I was working with the Board of Local and Regional Jails (BOLRJ). “The role of the board is to establish standards and guidelines for local and regional jails that are designed to guarantee the health, safety, and welfare of staff and offenders … Continue reading Enhanced Sanctions and the Disciplinary Process for Drug Offenses in Virginia Jails and Prisons

By: Caroline Brady             The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution asserts that “excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”[1] The Constitution does not require bail but mandates that when bail is given, it cannot be excessive.[2] The Supreme Court held that bail is excessive when it is set at … Continue reading The Elimination of Cash Bail in Illinois

 By: Payton Ward   Introduction             In a country incarcerating nearly 1.9 million people,[1] 61% of inmates have work assignments[2] and “have been stripped of even the most minimal protections against labor exploitation and abuse.”[3] Oftentimes, prison workers are assigned to work under dangerous conditions and generate billions of dollars worth of goods, with little to no pay.[4] If they … Continue reading Prison Labor or Modern-Day Slavery?

By: Adrianna Carpenter A. Beyond the Cement and Glass: What is Cop City? In southeast Atlanta, there is a forest. This forest is home to wetlands that filter rainwater and prevent flooding.[1] It is also one of the last breeding grounds for many amphibians in the region, as well as being an important migration site for wading birds.[2] Community members enjoy walking their dogs along … Continue reading The Forest is Everywhere: How the State is Criminalizing Protest and Dissent in the Fight to Build Cop City