President Joe Biden arrives at the White House from his trip to Asia. His executive order will bring reforms to federal law enforcement. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption
Original reporting on the nation's criminal justice system from NPR and member station reporters. This team covers the nation's criminal justice system, including challenges to justice equity; recidivism; juvenile justice; prisons; police-community relations; crime-fighting strategies and trends including surveillance tools and technology.
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Criminal Justice Collaborative
Original reporting on the nation's criminal justice system from NPR and member station reporters.
A row of rifles for sale is on display at a gun shop in Aurora, Colo., on July 20, 2012. The mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., has prompted questions about the effectiveness of "red flag laws" passed in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption
Should 18-year-olds be allowed to buy semi-automatic rifles? State and courts debate
Meralyn Kirkland with her granddaughter, Kaia Rolle. Sarah Espedido/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images hide caption
In some states, your 6-year-old child can be arrested. Advocates want that changed
Officer Alexander Bires of SEPTA, the transit system for the Philadelphia region, speaks with a homeless man about outreach services at the 11th Street stop on the Market-Frankford Line in Philadelphia. Michelle Gustafson for NPR hide caption
Transit riders are worried about safety. Police in Philly are trying a new approach
Sgt. Joe Dydak and Lt. Dennis Rosenbaum examine bullet holes in a car. They're part of the Philadelphia Police Department's new citywide team investigating nonfatal shootings. Martin Kaste/NPR hide caption
Philadelphia set a homicide record in 2021. Now police hope a new tactic deters crime
A pill press machine seized by authorities is displayed during a news conference outside the Roybal Federal Building in February 2021 in Los Angeles. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, left, attends his sentencing hearing in 2019. Antonio Perez/AP hide caption
Amadou Diallo's murder became symbolic of the NYPD plainclothes excesses. Courtesy of the Diallo Family. hide caption
New Yorkers want gun violence to end. A controversial police unit returns to help
Darrell Brooks, left, speaks with a lawyer during his initial appearance, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, Wis. Brooks is charged with intentional homicide after SUV was driven into a Christmas parade. Mark Hoffman/AP hide caption
There's a backlash brewing against bail reform after the parade tragedy in Waukesha
After the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., news organizations started to keep their own tallies of deaths, which turned out to be higher than the government's numbers. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption
Jennifer Longdon and her fiancé were getting tacos when both were shot by an unknown assailant. Today she's an Arizona state lawmaker. Gun violence prevention and disability rights are her top priorities. Michael Ging hide caption
After 25 Years In The Dark, The CDC Wants To Study The True Toll Of Guns In America
The Minneapolis Police Department has been under increased scrutiny by residents and elected officials after the murder of George Floyd in police custody last year. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images hide caption
State prisons are grappling with how to deal with an increase in overdoses due to alcohol and drug abuse. David Madison/Getty Images hide caption
A demonstrator holds her hands up while she kneels in front of the Police at the Anaheim City Hall on June 1, 2020 in Anaheim, California. Reform pressures have many cops leaving the job. APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Violent Crime Has Stayed High — Whether Police Are The Answer Is Up For Debate
Critics say American officers should be trained in defensive tactics, especially empty-hand techniques, so that they depend less on tasers and guns. Images by Steve Skinner Photogra/Getty Images hide caption
American Cops Are Under Pressure To Rely Less On Guns And Take More Personal Risk
Oakland City Vice Mayor and Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan says sending police to mental health and behavioral calls they aren't trained for is a mistake cities keep repeating. Philip Pacheco/ AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Oakland Becomes Latest City Looking To Take Police Out Of Some Nonviolent 911 Calls
This image from video shows Minneapolis police officers Thomas Lane, left, and J. Alexander Kueng, right, escorting George Floyd, center, to a police vehicle outside Cup Foods in Minneapolis, on May 25, 2020. The image was shown as prosecutor Steve Schleicher gave closing arguments in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the death of Floyd. AP hide caption
Police officer David Moore is pictured wearing a body camera in Ipswich, Mass., on Dec. 1, 2020. The city was among 25 statewide awarded grants to purchase body-worn cameras for videotaping interactions with the public. A new study says the benefits to society and police departments outweigh the costs of the cameras. Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption
A sign points toward the women's section of the Huntington Beach jail. The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls is appealing to President Biden to grant clemency to 100 women during his first 100 days in office. Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images hide caption
#FreeHer Campaign Wants Clemency For 100 Women In Biden's First 100 Days
In April 2020, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee did not list gun stores as essential businesses that could stay open during his Stay-at-Home order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, some retail gun shops followed orders by then-President Trump and state Republicans who advised that the firearms industry could remain open. There was an uptick in gun and ammo sales. Karen Ducey/Getty Images hide caption
In early December last year, a video captured part of a shootout and attempted carjacking. A retired firefighter died. Chicago police say one of the four suspects was 15 years old. Chicago Police Department/screenshot by NPR hide caption