Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice
@quattronecenter.org
National research and policy hub at the University of Pennsylvania, created to correct errors and catalyze long-term structural improvements to the US criminal justice system. Visit https://www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/quattronecenter/
Pinned
Just announced! The 2026 Spring Symposium will be from May 12-13 at @penncareylaw.bsky.social. Save the dates on your 📅 so you can join us for two incredible days of exploration and collaboration on the future of the criminal legal system.
In a recent University of Colorado Law Review article, Seema Saifee, our former research fellow, explores how those most affected by mass criminalization and incarceration can uncover new approaches and solutions to systemic flaws in criminal law and policy.
Learn more:
Learn more:
Aggregation at the Bottom – University of Colorado
tinyurl.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
In a recent University of Colorado Law Review article, Seema Saifee, our former research fellow, explores how those most affected by mass criminalization and incarceration can uncover new approaches and solutions to systemic flaws in criminal law and policy.
Learn more:
Learn more:
Reposted by Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice
BREAKING: 70 years after his wrongful execution, Tommy Lee Walker is declared innocent.
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
Tommy Lee Walker Declared Innocent 70 Years After His Execution
Dallas County Commissioners Court posthumously proclaimed Mr. Walker’s innocence in the 1954 racially-fueled capital murder case.
innocenceproject.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
BREAKING: 70 years after his wrongful execution, Tommy Lee Walker is declared innocent.
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
According to the Real Time Crime Index, 2025 brought the largest one-year drop in crime in American history. Experts found significant declines in homicides (20%), motor vehicle theft (23%), aggravated assault (8%), and more.
January 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM
According to the Real Time Crime Index, 2025 brought the largest one-year drop in crime in American history. Experts found significant declines in homicides (20%), motor vehicle theft (23%), aggravated assault (8%), and more.
Florida's law halted a state conviction integrity unit's review of Ronnie Ferrell's 1993 murder conviction, which relied on testimony from a witness known for lying under oath. Our senior advisor, John Hollway, commented on the process in @jaxtrib.org.
Read more: tinyurl.com/4nd7dmep
Read more: tinyurl.com/4nd7dmep
January 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Florida's law halted a state conviction integrity unit's review of Ronnie Ferrell's 1993 murder conviction, which relied on testimony from a witness known for lying under oath. Our senior advisor, John Hollway, commented on the process in @jaxtrib.org.
Read more: tinyurl.com/4nd7dmep
Read more: tinyurl.com/4nd7dmep
Just announced! The 2026 Spring Symposium will be from May 12-13 at @penncareylaw.bsky.social. Save the dates on your 📅 so you can join us for two incredible days of exploration and collaboration on the future of the criminal legal system.
January 14, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Just announced! The 2026 Spring Symposium will be from May 12-13 at @penncareylaw.bsky.social. Save the dates on your 📅 so you can join us for two incredible days of exploration and collaboration on the future of the criminal legal system.
Rob and Michelle Reiner shared a deep friendship with Nanon Williams, a man spending life in prison for a murder he has always maintained he didn't commit. In the wake of their passing, Nanon shares with NBC News how the Reiners' support, love, and advocacy comforted him in his fight for freedom.
He was sentenced to death. Rob and Michele Reiner loved him like a son.
Nanon Williams was sent to death row for a murder he says he didn't commit. Decades later, through daily emails and weekly prison calls, the Reiners became family.
www.nbcnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Rob and Michelle Reiner shared a deep friendship with Nanon Williams, a man spending life in prison for a murder he has always maintained he didn't commit. In the wake of their passing, Nanon shares with NBC News how the Reiners' support, love, and advocacy comforted him in his fight for freedom.
A 2025 @gallup.com poll found that just 16% of Americans believe that our prison system successfully rehabilitates incarcerated people — nearly unchanged in the last 25 years. Americans also say prisons do a poor job of keeping incarcerated people safe while inside.
news.gallup.com/poll/697472/...
news.gallup.com/poll/697472/...
January 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
A 2025 @gallup.com poll found that just 16% of Americans believe that our prison system successfully rehabilitates incarcerated people — nearly unchanged in the last 25 years. Americans also say prisons do a poor job of keeping incarcerated people safe while inside.
news.gallup.com/poll/697472/...
news.gallup.com/poll/697472/...
The National Association of Medical Examiners warns the "questionable" lung float test for live birth has "known pitfalls," especially after its use in criminal cases. Here’s why:
Medical Examiners Warn That Controversial Lung Float Test Could Be Dangerous
An exam meant to determine whether a baby was born dead or alive is of “questionable value,” the National Association of Medical Examiners cautions. The paper follows a ProPublica report on how the te...
www.propublica.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The National Association of Medical Examiners warns the "questionable" lung float test for live birth has "known pitfalls," especially after its use in criminal cases. Here’s why:
In a moving @nytimes.com piece this week, Bryan Kohberger’s sister Mel discussed her family's experience after her brother was arrested for the murders of four college students in Idaho last year.
Her Brother Pleaded Guilty to the Idaho Murders. Now She’s Ready to Talk.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:20 PM
In a moving @nytimes.com piece this week, Bryan Kohberger’s sister Mel discussed her family's experience after her brother was arrested for the murders of four college students in Idaho last year.
When QC Senior Advisor John Hollway presented at the 2025 TedXPenn Conference last March, he discussed how sentinel event reviews allow a "blame-free" investigation into how an undesired outcome in the criminal legal system happened — creating a roadmap to prevent future ones.
January 5, 2026 at 3:16 PM
When QC Senior Advisor John Hollway presented at the 2025 TedXPenn Conference last March, he discussed how sentinel event reviews allow a "blame-free" investigation into how an undesired outcome in the criminal legal system happened — creating a roadmap to prevent future ones.
Public records reveal that the officer who killed Tamir Rice was recently hired by two police departments in West Virginia. Following Rice's death, former employers have labelled the officer unfit for law enforcement — pointing to his record of insubordination and poor handgun performance.
Officer Who Killed 12-Year-Old Tamir Rice Just Got Two More Police Jobs in West Virginia — Dragline
Public outcry erupted last July when news broke that Timothy Loehmann – the man who killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in a Cleveland park in 2014 – was hired as a police officer by the City of White Sulph...
www.dragline.org
December 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Public records reveal that the officer who killed Tamir Rice was recently hired by two police departments in West Virginia. Following Rice's death, former employers have labelled the officer unfit for law enforcement — pointing to his record of insubordination and poor handgun performance.
Reposted by Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
The roundup -- and a request for your support
My year-end pitch for your paid subscription
radleybalko.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
Applications for the Quattrone Center Fellowship at @penncareylaw.bsky.social are due this Wednesday! Don't miss this special opportunity to grow your career as a researcher and expert in criminal legal reform.
Apply today: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
Apply today: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
December 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Applications for the Quattrone Center Fellowship at @penncareylaw.bsky.social are due this Wednesday! Don't miss this special opportunity to grow your career as a researcher and expert in criminal legal reform.
Apply today: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
Apply today: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
Earlier this month, @hennepinatty.bsky.social released its conviction integrity unit dashboard — providing transparency into the agency's commitment to reviewing applications and acting on potential wrongful convictions.
Hennepin County Attorney's Office launches public dashboard as conviction integrity unit reviews cases
The unit has supported relief in a small number of cases, including one that resulted in a full exoneration earlier this year.
www.kare11.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Earlier this month, @hennepinatty.bsky.social released its conviction integrity unit dashboard — providing transparency into the agency's commitment to reviewing applications and acting on potential wrongful convictions.
20 years ago, Dr. Bruce Levy's "shaken baby" testimony was used in convicting Russell Maze of murdering his son. Last week, Levy sat with @nbcnews.com to discuss why new evidence leads him to believe Maze was innocent all along. QC Advisory Board Member Dan Slepian reports: tinyurl.com/2hp9z2fr
December 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
20 years ago, Dr. Bruce Levy's "shaken baby" testimony was used in convicting Russell Maze of murdering his son. Last week, Levy sat with @nbcnews.com to discuss why new evidence leads him to believe Maze was innocent all along. QC Advisory Board Member Dan Slepian reports: tinyurl.com/2hp9z2fr
What does Real Housewife Jen Shah's early release from prison have to do with criminal legal reform? QC Executive Director @tcita.bsky.social dives into the data showing that participation in prison education programs contributes to reduction in recidivism. #rhoslc
December 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
What does Real Housewife Jen Shah's early release from prison have to do with criminal legal reform? QC Executive Director @tcita.bsky.social dives into the data showing that participation in prison education programs contributes to reduction in recidivism. #rhoslc
We recently sat down with former Quattrone Center Fellows Amanda Bergold and Rachel Greenspan to discuss how the program forged their careers, and led to a career-long collaboration on groundbreaking criminal justice research.
Read our interview today: https://tinyurl.com/4ratrxae
Read our interview today: https://tinyurl.com/4ratrxae
December 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We recently sat down with former Quattrone Center Fellows Amanda Bergold and Rachel Greenspan to discuss how the program forged their careers, and led to a career-long collaboration on groundbreaking criminal justice research.
Read our interview today: https://tinyurl.com/4ratrxae
Read our interview today: https://tinyurl.com/4ratrxae
More than a hundred drug cases were dismissed in Philadelphia last week after evidence showed that three police officers had given false testimony. Hundreds more convictions involving the officers are now under review:
Three Philly cops who defenders say ‘straight up lied’ cause 134 drug cases to be dismissed, hundreds more expected
Nearly a thousand cases could be thrown out after prosecutors said the officers repeatedly gave false statements in court and can't be trusted.
www.inquirer.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
More than a hundred drug cases were dismissed in Philadelphia last week after evidence showed that three police officers had given false testimony. Hundreds more convictions involving the officers are now under review:
@radleybalko.bsky.social, Quattrone Center journalism fellow, hosts the investigative podcast Collateral Damage. Episode 5 details the 2010 killing of unarmed 21-year-old Trevon Cole during a Las Vegas no-knock raid.
Hear more and subscribe: theintercept.com/podcasts/col...
Hear more and subscribe: theintercept.com/podcasts/col...
December 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
@radleybalko.bsky.social, Quattrone Center journalism fellow, hosts the investigative podcast Collateral Damage. Episode 5 details the 2010 killing of unarmed 21-year-old Trevon Cole during a Las Vegas no-knock raid.
Hear more and subscribe: theintercept.com/podcasts/col...
Hear more and subscribe: theintercept.com/podcasts/col...
Our latest sentinel event review on the case of Eric Anderson uncovered 40 contributing factors to his wrongful conviction.
We sat down with Quattrone Center’s Senior Advisor John Hollway to break down what this review means for agencies, communities, and the future of accountability.
We sat down with Quattrone Center’s Senior Advisor John Hollway to break down what this review means for agencies, communities, and the future of accountability.
December 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Our latest sentinel event review on the case of Eric Anderson uncovered 40 contributing factors to his wrongful conviction.
We sat down with Quattrone Center’s Senior Advisor John Hollway to break down what this review means for agencies, communities, and the future of accountability.
We sat down with Quattrone Center’s Senior Advisor John Hollway to break down what this review means for agencies, communities, and the future of accountability.
Clearance rates are seen as the best indicator of a police department's efficacy in public safety, but experts believe they don't show the whole picture. As state lawmakers nationwide draft legislation to boost these clearance rates, @stateline.org reports on how police departments plan to improve.
Why ‘clearance rates’ don’t tell the whole story about solving crimes • Stateline
Police departments’ “clearance rates” — the percentage of cases they declare closed — are one of the most widely cited benchmarks for how effectively they combat crime. But the figures can be confusin...
stateline.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Clearance rates are seen as the best indicator of a police department's efficacy in public safety, but experts believe they don't show the whole picture. As state lawmakers nationwide draft legislation to boost these clearance rates, @stateline.org reports on how police departments plan to improve.
Despite crime levels hitting historic lows, 39 states across the country increased their prison populations in 2023 — a stark reversal from 13 years of slow decarceration. @sentencingproject.bsky.social provides analysis into this new trend and recommendations for decarceration: tinyurl.com/2vt885kn
December 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Despite crime levels hitting historic lows, 39 states across the country increased their prison populations in 2023 — a stark reversal from 13 years of slow decarceration. @sentencingproject.bsky.social provides analysis into this new trend and recommendations for decarceration: tinyurl.com/2vt885kn
Since 2015, we've conducted Sentinel Event Reviews to find solutions to some of the most unwanted outcomes in the criminal legal system: wrongful convictions, police use of force, forensic errors, & more. But what exactly are they? Our newest edition of Defining Justice has all the answers you need.
December 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Since 2015, we've conducted Sentinel Event Reviews to find solutions to some of the most unwanted outcomes in the criminal legal system: wrongful convictions, police use of force, forensic errors, & more. But what exactly are they? Our newest edition of Defining Justice has all the answers you need.
We're intrigued to learn more about the potential for rapid video response in policing. Tune in online with Justice Clearinghouse for discussion of a randomized control trial of rapid video response, featuring: Dr. Renee J. Mitchell, Dr. Sherah Basham, and Stacey Rothwell.
Tele-policing Using Rapid Video Response as an Alternative to In-Person Policing – Justice Clearinghouse
www.justiceclearinghouse.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM
We're intrigued to learn more about the potential for rapid video response in policing. Tune in online with Justice Clearinghouse for discussion of a randomized control trial of rapid video response, featuring: Dr. Renee J. Mitchell, Dr. Sherah Basham, and Stacey Rothwell.
Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez spent 27 years wrongfully incarcerated on a life sentence due to eyewitness misidentification. In a recent episode of Legal Talk Network’s “For The Innocent” podcast, JJ discusses his journey to freedom, leadership, and activism.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/2m2dnrpx
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/2m2dnrpx
A Murdered Cop and a Mishandled Mugshot – JJ Velazquez’s Wrongful Conviction - Legal Talk Network
In 1998, a retired NYPD officer was shot and killed inside an illegal gambling parlor. Angry cops wanted speedy justice for one of their own, and an Discover insightful episodes on Legal Talk Network'...
tinyurl.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez spent 27 years wrongfully incarcerated on a life sentence due to eyewitness misidentification. In a recent episode of Legal Talk Network’s “For The Innocent” podcast, JJ discusses his journey to freedom, leadership, and activism.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/2m2dnrpx
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/2m2dnrpx