JustLeadershipUSA

“Does the inaccuracy or unfairness of an underlying conviction count as an ‘extraordinary and compelling reason’ for compassionate release? The U.S. Supreme Court considered this question in Thursday’s ruling in Fernandez v. United States and decided 8–1 that it does not.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson Stands Firm—and Alone—on Compassionate Release Does the inaccuracy or unfairness of an underlying conviction count as an “extraordinary and compelling reason” for compassionate release?

The Vivian D. Nixon Fellowship honors the legacy of Reverend Vivian D. Nixon, a nationally respected leader, advocate, educator, and narrative change strategist whose work has helped transform public understanding of incarceration, justice, healing, and community leadership.

Rooted in the belief that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution, the Fellowship exists to cultivate directly impacted leaders as researchers, storytellers, strategists, and systems change practitioners. The Fellowship advances community-driven research, public leadership, and narrative transformation that centers the dignity, wisdom, and expertise of impacted communities.

Learn more & apply now: jlusa.org/fellow

According to Daniel Howe (Leading with Conviction™ 2020), which of these should the next 250 years of criminal justice NOT be built solely on?

○ Punishment
○ Restoration
○ Opportunity
○ The belief that people can change

Take the quiz: jlusa.org/quiz

“The Trump administration on Monday unveiled a rule that is expected to push millions of low-income people off Medicaid by imposing complex bureaucratic barriers in the form of work reporting requirements, which have proven disastrous at the state level.”

Trump's New Medicaid Rule 'Designed to Ensure People Lose Healthcare,' Critics Warn | Common Dreams "Today’s announcement marks a grim step in America’s march towards a healthcare system that further restricts access to healthcare and creates barriers rather than delivering affordable healthcare to families."

JustLeadershipUSA mourns the passing of Dr. Patrice Palmer, a graduate of the very first Leading with Conviction™ cohort in 2015.

“Patrice was a giant for criminal justice reform and reentry. … May her memory be a blessing always.”

Read our tribute to Dr. Palmer: https://jlusa.org/2026/06/01/jlusa-mourns-the-passing-of-dr-patrice-palmer/

Applications for Leading with Conviction+™ 2027 are now open! Learn more and apply now: jlusa.org/lwcplus

What do TV cop shows have to do with the Luigi Mangione case now playing out in a New York City courtroom?

JLUSA Director of Communications Stephen Knight explains: https://jlusa.org/2026/05/29/luigi-mangione-tv-cop-shows-and-the-impact-of-pop-culture-on-criminal-justice-reform/

“The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a Black Mississippi [man on death row] can pursue renewed challenges to his conviction, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joining the court’s liberal wing in a 5-4 decision.”

Roberts and Kavanaugh just broke ranks in a 5-4 Supreme Court vote The Supreme Court sided 5-4 with a Mississippi death row inmate, reviving a challenge over alleged racial bias in jury selection.

“A federal judge decided that the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, violated the rights of incarcerated workers.

“This was due to the dangerous heat in the prison’s agricultural labor program. However, the judge stopped short of ordering the prison to end the practice.”

Federal court leaves Angola prison farm line in place despite ruling on heat conditions A federal judge ruled that the Louisiana State Penitentiary’s “Farm Line” program violated the rights of incarcerated workers due to dangerous heat conditions, but declined to iss…