Author Archives: Bruce Reilly

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About Bruce Reilly

Bruce Reilly is the Deputy Director of Voice of the Ex-Offender in New Orleans, LA. He is a graduate of Tulane Law School and author of NewJack's Guide to the Big House. Much of his writing can be found on www.Unprison.org.

So You Want To Be A Prosecutor? 6 Rules to get started.

I have recently had several conversations with aspiring prosecutors, all of whom have an idealist desire to punish wrong-doers and protect the public.  It became obvious that they had very limited experience with the criminal justice system at all.  I … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Drug Policy, Innocence, Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Officer: “I Don’t Give a F#@K Ni**er!” (prior to the shooting)

Following a pattern of racial slurs and racial abuse by members of White Plains Police Department, the Attorney General definitively proved that they cannot indict a ham sandwich (as the old adage goes).  After 68 year old Marine Kenneth Chamberlain … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Mental Health, Race | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Putting Prison-Based Gerrymandering On The Map… And How We Take It Off.

How did a man with a PowerPoint presentation turn into a piece of legislation I pushed on my legislators and allies?  With his passion for social justice and intelligence to develop a core issue about democracy.  I’m honoring that dedication … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Bursting The System: Louisiana Holds a Hearing To Sell State Prisons

Louisiana’s House Appropriations Committee held a hearing today on HB 850, regarding the sale of Avoyelles Correctional Center, and the authorization to sell every prison built after 1989.  This would follow the direction of Arizona and Florida, and possibly lead to … Continue reading

Posted in Legislation, prison economics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Racism” returns to America. Where Did It Go?

If the public issues of racism are back, and surprisingly to some, then this means racism must have gone somewhere, right?  It is important to remember that many of us are very segregated in our lives, particularly by class.  Racism … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Race | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can We Take The Civil RIghts Era OFF The Postage Stamps?

Stamps are reserved for history, for settled matters.  You know Malcolm X has been officially stationed when he appeared on your stationary.  But that troubled era appears more revisited with every passing day.  Millions of people waited in prayers and … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

America’s Top Lobbyists On Criminal Justice Reform- Legal? Proper?

As the legislative process picks up in many states, one common lobbyist will again take their leadership position at the statehouses.  The state Attorney General and local police chiefs will again move to the front of the line of “The … Continue reading

Posted in Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who Supports Education After Incarceration?

When the question of education after incarceration was raised on a national stage last fall, I never related to the view that puts a single individual under a microscope.  To me, it was always a systemic question; one that happened … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just Who Should Be “Crashing The System?”

The recent article by Michelle Alexander appearing in the New York Times, “Crash the System,” has stirred up a great deal of interest among the activist community.  Most of the people I have heard from, however, have been those who … Continue reading

Posted in Courts | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Formerly Incarcerated: What My Mom Thinks I Do…

Can You guess who of the above served time in prison?

Posted in Commentary, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments