The Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press report on reforms in New Orleans, including the reclassification of minor offenses that free up resources to fight serious crime.

New York State Unified Court System announces new commission focused on reviewing and recommending reform of
New York’s sentencing structure and policies.

That's the headline of a New York Times editorial recommending that the state close as many juvenile facilities as possible.

Vera's director, Michael Jacobson, will be moderating a panel discussion entitled "Thinking about Crime Prevention"
as part of the New York Bar's Biennial Criminal Justice Retreat on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

The fall 2009 issue of Vera's newsletter, Just 'Cause, is out, with stories on the newly released national standards to reduce prison rape, Vera's recently completed sexual violence prevention program in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's speech at our spring Justice Address (watch the speech), and an interview with Jon Wool, director of Vera's reform work in New Orleans.

Last night, Vera held its fourth annual benefit—Public Service, Public Trust—at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It was a great success.

This past Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder delivered the keynote address at our Third Annual Justice Address. The event was a great success. The Attorney General stressed the need for making criminal justice policy on the basis of research and evidence and not on political expediency. It was great to hear the leader of the U.S. Justice Department support so clearly the work that Vera and other justice organizations have been working on.

A 2008 Vera study recommended that the Department of Community Justice (DCJ) in Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon, change the way it sanctions people on probation and parole.

The New York Times Company has selected Vera as one of six finalists for its third annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in management practices and strategy among nonprofit organizations in New York City.

Vera’s Program on Child Welfare, Health and Justice issued a new report, Experiences of New York City Foster Children in HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials.