Reform and Re-Entry
People who entered adult prisons as juveniles and have been incarcerated for years face unique challenges upon release. Their experience with the outside world is limited to that of a teenager -- some never learned to drive a car, or had their own bank account, or held a job. In order to succeed on parole or after release, these ex-offenders need assistance addressing basic needs like housing and employment, education about life skills and coping with the daily decisions adults face in the outside world, and support in dealing with the mental and emotional challenges of re-entry.
News
EJI Attorneys Argue Two Cases at Alabama Appellate Court Sessions Hosted by Cumberland School of Law
October 15, 2009
EJI lawyers Bryan Stevenson and Brandon Buskey, seated, argue before the Supreme Court.
On October 8, 2009, the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, as part of the court system's outreach and education efforts. EJI attorneys were asked by the courts to participate in both oral arguments.
Alabama Passes Bill Restricting Access to DNA Testing for Death Row Prisoners
June 5, 2009Alabama lawmakers recently passed a new law that requires the state to collect DNA samples from everyone who is arrested for a felony, including children. The law, which passed on the last day of the recently-concluded legislative session, also restricts access to DNA testing for people convicted of a capital offense and reduces the opportunity for a wrongfully convicted person to prove his innocence through DNA evidence.
EJI Honors Kenneth Frazier and Randy Hertz and Celebrates the Release of Bo Cochran and Phillip Shaw
April 7, 2009
Kenneth Frazier (left) won the release of James "Bo" Cochran, who spent 19 years on Alabama's death row for a crime he did not commit.
U.S. Supreme Court to Address Judicial Ethics Amid Succession of Judicial Misconduct Scandals Nationwide
February 25, 2009The United States Supreme Court will hear oral argument next week in Caperton v. Massey about whether West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin violated the Constitution when he cast the deciding vote in favor of his campaign contributors, who spent $3 million to get him elected to the appellate court.
EJI Loses Biggest Funder Due to Madoff Scheme
January 9, 2009EJI's largest funder, the JEHT Foundation, will shut down at the end of this month and will not be able to provide grants committed to EJI for the next three years because its funds were stolen by money manager Bernard Madoff.