As a native of Richmond, Virginia, I am no stranger to southern Protestantism and the (increasingly waning) cultural dominance of conservative Christianity in the South. Practically since birth, I was raised attending the same Baptist Church that my father and his brothers were raised in decades earlier. But, as with many young Christians, my doubts grew bigger as I grew … Continue reading The Freedom to Control: Conservative Christianity as an Anti-Civil Rights Force by Carly Lester

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 Emma Wilson 36% of Americans reported feeling “serious loneliness” according to a study by Harvard Graduate School of Education.[1] American individualism and isolation are an epidemic which is corroding the well-being of society. [2] Growing homelessness, apathy to disasters, increased cynicism, and political frustration are hallmarks of American socio-political life today.[3] Unfortunately, this reality of American life was prophesied in the early 1800s by … Continue reading How Urban Planning Can Increase a Sense of Community

By: Sophie Fields In many high-poverty communities, the challenges often perceived as “struggles” by those in more affluent circumstances are a product of limited access to adequate funding and opportunities. Moreover, it’s important to recognize that there are rarely one-size-fits-all answers to systemic issues such as lack of affordable housing. Specifically, the implementation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in communities create significant opportunities and … Continue reading Empowering Communities: A Look at the Future of LIHTC

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?