BOP Social Media Ban, Body Cam Politicization & More

"…[T]he myth has drifted upward to policymakers, who are ignoring the lack of evidence that mere exposure to fentanyl can be deadly."

The myth that coming into contact with fentanyl through the air or by touching it has been debunked continuously by public health experts over the years, but it nevertheless continues to spread among law enforcement, and now policymakers. This year, proposed legislation in Florida, West Virginia, and Tennessee aims to criminalize exposing first responders to fentanyl, perpetuating a dangerous myth of passive overdose risk. Despite expert pushback, policymakers are advancing these bills that could exacerbate the opioid crisis.

"For the nearly 2 million people who are incarcerated in U.S. jails and prisons, maintaining connection with loved ones and communities is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, reduced recidivism, and successful reentry into society."

The federal Bureau of Prisons is facing backlash over proposed restrictions on incarcerated individuals' social media access. While the BOP says the ban is necessary to avoid inmates orchestrating crimes and violence via electronic communication, experts argue the measures would violate fundamental civil liberties and have raised concerns about severe penalties for violating the proposed rules. As the BOP moves forward with finalizing the rule change, many groups are pointing out the particular danger of cutting off communication amid broader scrutiny of the agency's handling of staff shortages, training deficiencies, abuses, and poor prison conditions.

"The ideal body camera policy would allow civilian oversight boards to access body camera footage immediately after an incident."

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department took nearly two years to release footage revealing the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Savannah Graziano, a kidnapping victim who was killed by police after following their instructions. The footage undermines initial claims about the incident and once again igniting concerns about police transparency. This incident and the department’s response highlights that the introduction of body cameras won’t be the transparency and accountability panacea they’re often touted to be, argues Radley Balko. 

“[T]he question of closing more prisons is complicated and goes beyond public safety. I don’t think they go as hand-in-hand as people want them to.”

While Governor Gavin Newsom has gone beyond his campaign promise of closing at least one California state prison, he is resisting calls from advocates to close five more state facilities. He now finds himself in a precarious political position; no matter what happens, large swaths of California voters will disagree, with liberal lawmakers and others advocating for the end of California’s tough-on-crime era of mass incarceration on one end, and on the other, moderates and conservatives concerned that reforms have already gone too far.

"Right now there are 16 cities that are down double-digits in murders this year compared to the same timeframe last year..."

According to early 2024 data, murder rates in over 180 cities have continued to plummet. It appears that a significant trend in declining violent crime that started last year is going to hold steady, with murder rates falling nearly 20% this year as well. Philadelphia is one city to have experienced a more than 30% reduction in murders this year alone. Shooting incidents and mass shootings have also notably decreased compared to the previous year, as well.