Leigh Courtney
@leighcourtney.bsky.social
Justice policy researcher at the Urban Institute. She/her.
Reposted by Leigh Courtney
Second chance laws work. Once incarcerated at 16, Eddie Ellis got a second chance and is now a husband, father & community leader. His story proves growth is possible and why repealing these laws would be a step backward.
Read his powerful story: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Read his powerful story: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | I was incarcerated as a child. D.C.’s second-chance laws changed my life.
Washingtonians should feel safe. And these are not soft-on-crime measures.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Second chance laws work. Once incarcerated at 16, Eddie Ellis got a second chance and is now a husband, father & community leader. His story proves growth is possible and why repealing these laws would be a step backward.
Read his powerful story: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Read his powerful story: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Leigh Courtney
If Trump fulfills his promise to expand the federal death penalty, courts likely won’t do enough to protect the rights of those at the system’s mercy. President Biden has the power to stop potentially unjust executions — he should grant clemency to the 40 people on death row, starting now.
Four Things to Know About the Federal Death Penalty
The cases of those on death row highlight deep concerns about racial disparities, the fairness of the process, and the inhumanity of the punishment.
www.brennancenter.org
December 11, 2024 at 3:41 PM
If Trump fulfills his promise to expand the federal death penalty, courts likely won’t do enough to protect the rights of those at the system’s mercy. President Biden has the power to stop potentially unjust executions — he should grant clemency to the 40 people on death row, starting now.
An incredibly nuanced look at the devastating topic of child sexual abuse and how our typical responses often do more harm than good--and how we can do better by survivors.
My latest, for the New Republic, asks: What do survivors of child sexual abuse have to teach us about justice, and about healing? And might we start listening to what they have to say?
newrepublic.com/article/1883...
newrepublic.com/article/1883...
The Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Who Don’t Want Their Abusers Punished
We assume that victims will find closure when the people who hurt them are imprisoned. But many say that to heal, they need something else entirely.
newrepublic.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:11 PM
An incredibly nuanced look at the devastating topic of child sexual abuse and how our typical responses often do more harm than good--and how we can do better by survivors.
Big congrats to the Urban Institute Employees Union!
We are excited to announce that Urban Institute and Urban Institute Employees Union have reached a historic collective bargaining agreement. Learn more in the full press release.
www.urban.org/press-releas...
www.urban.org/press-releas...
Urban Institute and Urban Institute Employees Union Reach Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement
www.urban.org
December 4, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Big congrats to the Urban Institute Employees Union!