Criminal Justice Reform
Gerald Berry, 16 in this photo, holding his baby brother Kendrick. Berry is serving life in prison on a felony murder conviction.
Photo courtesy Dorothea Ford

Best of: Despite reforms, some face life for murders they didn’t commit

Because of the "felony murder rule," hundreds of people in Illinois prisons are thought to be serving life sentences for murder even though they didn’t kill anyone, according to a recent analysis from the nonprofit news outlet Injustice Watch. The 21st was joined by someone affected by the rule, as well as two reporters following the story and the co-director of the Center for Wrongful Convictions.

Offering social services to those awaiting trial

Cash bail will end in Illinois beginning in January of next year, but advocates say much more needs to be done. The 21st was joined by the leader of a restorative justice organization, a project director from The Bail Project, and someone affected by the policy.

Gerald Berry, 16 in this photo, holding his baby brother Kendrick. Berry is serving life in prison on a felony murder conviction.
Photo courtesy Dorothea Ford

Despite reforms, some face life for murders they didn’t commit

Because of the "felony murder rule," hundreds of people in Illinois prisons are thought to be serving life sentences for murder even though they didn’t kill anyone, according to a recent analysis from the nonprofit news outlet Injustice Watch. The 21st was joined by someone affected by the rule, as well as two reporters following the story and the co-director of the Center for Wrongful Convictions.

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