Category: Blog

Dr. Allison Robertson Discusses Medication-Assisted Treatment Research Successes, Challenges

There is strong evidence to show the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with justice-involved individuals but still a number of barriers in place to implementing it, according to Dr. Allison Robertson, a member of the Behavioral Health Core at the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law. Robertson – who is an associate […]

Celebrating National Recovery Month through Awareness of Psychiatric Advance Directives

By Dr. Marvin Swartz National Recovery Month is a national observance every September to educate Americans that persons with behavioral health disorders can live healthy and rewarding lives. Recovery month is also an opportunity to reflect on the struggle to achieve recovery and the critical value of treatment and other support services. Unfortunately, some individuals […]

Upcoming Event: Impact of COVID on Black Americans, Other People of Color

The Duke Center for Science and Justice is cohosting another upcoming  Duke Science & Society event as part of its Coronavirus Conversations series. The virtual event is titled “Impact of COVID on Black Americans and Other People of Color” and will start at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Online registration ahead of time is required. Find more information […]

Houston Bail Monitor 6-Month Report Shows Increased Releases, Reduced Use of Cash Bail

HOUSTON, T.X. – The independent monitors overseeing Harris County’s historic bail reform agreement filed its report this morning describing their first six-months of work and findings with the federal court, noting an increase in releases and a reduced use of cash bail. The implementation of the ODonnell Consent Decree in Harris County, Texas – which encompasses Houston […]

Ronnie Long is Finally Free

From Duke Law news: On Wednesday, the State of North Carolina filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to initiate a process leading to Long’s freedom. The state asked the court to immediately issue a mandate in Long’s case and said it planned to move immediately in the district court […]

Ronnie Long Closer to Freedom After Federal Court Rules his Rights Were Violated

Ronnie Long has spent 44 years in prison for a crime he’s claimed since the beginning he didn’t commit, and he is closer now than ever to freedom after a federal court ruled this week that his constitutional rights were violated when evidence was withheld from his trial that would have helped establish his innocence. […]