News & Commentary
Dec 11, 2017
Lawrence Journal-World Editorial: Expand diversion
"Expansion of diversion programs alone may be inadequate to relieve the crowding pressures on the Douglas County Jail. But it is the kind of incarceration alternative that should be maximized as a means of offsetting the cost of jail expansion."
Dec 11, 2017
Editorial: We need to stop cramming people into our prisons
"Kansas should adopt a more sustainable and comprehensive approach to criminal justice — an approach that will address issues like mental illness, addiction, rehabilitation and poverty instead of just throwing more and more offenders behind bars."
Dec 11, 2017
ACLU of Kansas: Shawnee County D.A. Mike Kagay a leader in diversion practices
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas on Wednesday issued a report critical of what it calls a “severe under-utilization” of diversion practices by county prosecutors across the state, but highlighted the practices of Shawnee County District Attorney Michael Kagay as an example of a positive exception.
Dec 11, 2017
ACLU slams state’s ‘low’ felony diversion rates, including in Douglas County
The Lawrence Journal-World outlines how the increased use of diversion could impact Douglas County.
Dec 09, 2017
ACLU Calls for Shawnee School Board to End Complaint Ban
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has called for a school district in the Kansas City area to eliminate a policy prohibiting public complaints about individuals at board meetings.
Dec 08, 2017
ACLU calls for independent investigation into racial harassment claims against SM South coach, says Shawnee Mission is ‘on notice’
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas this week called on the Shawnee Mission School District to appoint an independent investigator to look into four students’ claims of racial harassment by a coach at Shawnee Mission South.
Dec 06, 2017
ACLU says Shawnee Mission’s restriction on criticism of board members violates First Amendment, asks that prohibition be removed
In May, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas asked the Shawnee Mission board of education to halt its practice of telling patrons not to mention district employees by name during board meeting open forums. Instead, the board of education just adopted a new open forum policy that expands its restrictions on “inappropriate” comments beyond those that mention individual employees. Now, patrons can’t mention elected members of the board, either.
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