Legislative Reform

Isolation’s damaging effects are widely known. But many facilities confine people — even youth — virtually all day, sometimes in shower stalls.

Louisiana is one of several states passing punitive measures in response to public fears.

The U.S. is the only country that still uses the “felony murder” legal doctrine.

Anxiety about crime — and plain politics — are fueling efforts to supplant local rule, from Washington, D.C., to St. Louis and other localities.

Oregon and Louisiana eliminated the practice, which had white supremacist roots. But they differ on whether to retroactively overturn those convictions.