Criminal Justice

The "Alcatraz of the South" has a troubling history. Once a private plantation, the "Bloodiest Prison in America" now uses mandatory labor and religious services as a means of moral rehabilitation. Can the gains ever outweigh the moral ills?

Ex post facto laws allow us to avoid retroactive legislation. But in the era after #MeToo, maybe there are some crimes that should be punished after the fact.

As the average life expectancy increases, those sentenced to life in prison are facing more punishment than previous generations.

Our societal notions of what "self defense" should mean is based largely on what an adult male might do in a situation. Such a definition failed Cyntoia Brown, was was sentenced to 51 years in prison for killing an abuser.

Netflix's Making a Murderer sometimes uses questionable practices to tell true crime stories. Among these methods is "brain fingerprinting."

What are the ethical ramifications of placing notorious or elderly criminals in prison systems where they are at risk for violent attack?

In the wake of the mass murder at a Pittsburgh synagogue, this article explores Secondary Antisemitism as a form of erasure of the struggles of jewish people and its connection to this attack.

Fentanyl testing strips could save lives for drug users, but not without the support of city and state governments.

What do the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh mean, and how should we move forward?

The tragic death of Mollie Tibbetts has sparked a national conversation on immigration and women's behavior -- and maybe that's wrong.

What are the ethics of collecting genetic information for use in forensics?

Since his elevation to the papal seat in 2013, Pope Francis has repeatedly made international headlines with comments suggesting a desire to change Roman Catholic doctrine on matters ranging from … Continue reading "Human Dignity, Capital Punishment, and the Pope"

After the Masterpiece Cake Shop decision, the concept of conscience clauses has come under fire -- most recently with a pharmacist in Arizona refusing to fill a prescription.

Plans to 3D print guns are available online, but ethical debates rage from questions of free speech to safety.

Does the Supreme Court help or hinder the U.S.'s democracy?

The Supreme Court's decision on a Colorado baker's refusal to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple has more to do with the specifics of the case, and less with the larger question at heart.

Questions of consent have taken centerstage in campus sexual assault cases, but what about questions of fraud?

The former Atlantic columnist's stance on abortion raises an important question: if abortion is murder, why are pro-life activists squeamish about prosecuting the women who seek them out?

Should police officers be doing the jobs of immigration officers, and what are the repercussions?

A member of the Manson "family" is up for parole. The resistance to her release underscores the competing notions of rehabilitation and punishment in the American justice system.