Blog & News
🌍 New Global Collaboration Unveiled! SAW Project Partners with APAI to Advance Global Community Supervision Practices
The Supervision Around the World (SAW) Project is proud to announce a new partnership with the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI). This collaboration marks an important step in advancing global efforts to enhance community supervision, evidence-based practices, and the successful reintegration of individuals into society. APAI is a leading global association committed to public safety and effective reentry through training, education, and research-driven best practices. With a strong focus
Understanding Decarceration: A Shift in Criminal Justice Reform
In my ongoing exploration of alternatives to incarceration, I recently came across the term decarceration. While I stay up to date on criminal justice terminology and the meaning seems clear from its parts, it wasn’t in my dictionary and I had never heard it used explicitly as the opposite of incarceration. So, where did it come from, and what exactly does it mean? The term decarceration first emerged in the
Home for the Holidays: The Case for Alternatives to Incarceration
Prisons are often depicted as places of rehabilitation, and some institutions are working towards this image, but the reality for many inmates is starkly different. Instead of focusing on personal growth and reintegration into society, time spent in prison often becomes a cycle of stagnation. Inmates might engage in routine activities—working in prison industries, attending mandatory programs, or simply passing time in recreation—but these actions rarely address the root causes
Juneteenth and the American Criminal Justice System
For over two centuries in America, millions of African Americans were subjected to brutal conditions under the institution of slavery. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring all slaves free, many remained in bondage. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston and announced the end of slavery in Texas, that the last enslaved African Americans were
🌟 Exciting Announcement: SAW Project Signs Partnership Agreement with the ICPA!
The Supervision Around the World (SAW) Project is delighted to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA). This agreement was signed in The Hague, Netherlands during the 6th World Congress on Probation and Parole, and represents a significant step forward in our shared mission to promote excellence, innovation, and best practices in the field of corrections. At the heart of the SAW
The Importance of Alternatives to Incarceration
At the SAW Project, we promote the sharing of successful community-based supervision practices that keep people out of jails and prisons, while still holding them accountable for misdeeds. Research has shown that people can be effectively monitored in the community rather than be incarcerated.[1] Whether this supervision is prior to adjudication (pre-trial) or post-conviction (direct sentence/early release on probation/parole), these alternatives to incarceration are vital to sustainable corrections systems. As
The Post-Custody Journey: Understanding the Experiences of Women in Uganda
Introduction by Julie Truschel Worldwide, women face many obstacles unique to gender when reentering society after incarceration. They face escalated problems with economic hardship, social support, family relationships, and employment, just to name a few. However, in no location are these issues more apparent than in Uganda. The following guest article is offered by Nuruh Mbalyowere, Principal Rehabilitation and Reintegration Officer at the Uganda Prisons Service. Ms. Mbalyowere explains the
Punitive Populism: A Roadblock to Criminal Justice Reform
In recent years, the criminal justice system has been a topic of intense debate and reform efforts. As U.S. citizens now begin their process for next year’s elections, political conversations have developed and the term ‘punitive populism’ keeps arising. Perhaps like me, you have not been intimately familiar with this term. In this blog, I will delve into the concept of punitive populism, its consequences, and the need to steer
Celebrating National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week: Stronger Together
National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (#PPPSWeek) takes place during the third full calendar week of July, from Sunday to Saturday. In 2023, this week is recognized July 16 – 22 and serves as a special occasion to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by over 100,000 dedicated individuals who work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. The theme for this year’s PPPS Week
Prioritizing Mental Health in Criminal Justice
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on the significance of mental health and advocating for increased understanding, support, and resources. While mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being for everyone, its importance within the criminal justice system cannot be overstated. This blog post aims to explore the vital connection between mental health awareness and the criminal justice system, highlighting the challenges faced