Alison Guernsey
@alisonguernsey.bsky.social
Clinical Law Prof at Iowa Law — Fed Crim Defense Clinic and Adjudication. Former AFPD in the EDWA. Champion of almost-lost causes with an affinity for pounding sand.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
If you find yourself arguing that human beings shouldn't be provided with toothbrushes and toothpaste, you are the 1000% the baddies.
The lawyers making this argument for the government should be shunned.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The lawyers making this argument for the government should be shunned.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
August 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
If you find yourself arguing that human beings shouldn't be provided with toothbrushes and toothpaste, you are the 1000% the baddies.
The lawyers making this argument for the government should be shunned.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The lawyers making this argument for the government should be shunned.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Been working on this for a while & happy to introduce:
'Beautiful Losers of History,' a narrative history podcast that examines people and movements that fought for a righteous cause but ultimately lost. But just because they lost doesn't mean they're not worth celebrating.
rss.com/podcasts/bea...
'Beautiful Losers of History,' a narrative history podcast that examines people and movements that fought for a righteous cause but ultimately lost. But just because they lost doesn't mean they're not worth celebrating.
rss.com/podcasts/bea...
June 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Been working on this for a while & happy to introduce:
'Beautiful Losers of History,' a narrative history podcast that examines people and movements that fought for a righteous cause but ultimately lost. But just because they lost doesn't mean they're not worth celebrating.
rss.com/podcasts/bea...
'Beautiful Losers of History,' a narrative history podcast that examines people and movements that fought for a righteous cause but ultimately lost. But just because they lost doesn't mean they're not worth celebrating.
rss.com/podcasts/bea...
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
This is who Trump shipped to a Salvadoran dungeon:
An event planner
A coal miner
An Uber driver
Tortilla maker
Barber
DoorDashers
Soccer coaches
Furniture-maker
Car washers
Taxi drivers
HVAC techs
Auto parts worker
Tire plant worker
and 240 more...
projects.propublica.org/venezuelan-i...
An event planner
A coal miner
An Uber driver
Tortilla maker
Barber
DoorDashers
Soccer coaches
Furniture-maker
Car washers
Taxi drivers
HVAC techs
Auto parts worker
Tire plant worker
and 240 more...
projects.propublica.org/venezuelan-i...
The Men Trump Deported to a Salvadoran Prison
On March 15, President Donald Trump’s administration sent more than 230 Venezuelan immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Last week, the men were released as suddenly as they’d been t...
projects.propublica.org
July 24, 2025 at 1:15 AM
This is who Trump shipped to a Salvadoran dungeon:
An event planner
A coal miner
An Uber driver
Tortilla maker
Barber
DoorDashers
Soccer coaches
Furniture-maker
Car washers
Taxi drivers
HVAC techs
Auto parts worker
Tire plant worker
and 240 more...
projects.propublica.org/venezuelan-i...
An event planner
A coal miner
An Uber driver
Tortilla maker
Barber
DoorDashers
Soccer coaches
Furniture-maker
Car washers
Taxi drivers
HVAC techs
Auto parts worker
Tire plant worker
and 240 more...
projects.propublica.org/venezuelan-i...
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Nestled up against the steps of City Hall in LA is a large placard with missing posters for the recently disappeared in the city.
July 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Nestled up against the steps of City Hall in LA is a large placard with missing posters for the recently disappeared in the city.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
lowa is second to last in economic growth, 48th in personal income growth, and middle of the pack for public education, but number one in the country for cancer growth, and now, the worst economy in the nation. These are not first-place rankings to be proud of.
www.kcrg.com/app/2025/06/...
www.kcrg.com/app/2025/06/...
Report ranks Iowa as state with the worst economy
On Monday, WalletHub released a report ranking Iowa as the state with the worst economy.
www.kcrg.com
June 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM
lowa is second to last in economic growth, 48th in personal income growth, and middle of the pack for public education, but number one in the country for cancer growth, and now, the worst economy in the nation. These are not first-place rankings to be proud of.
www.kcrg.com/app/2025/06/...
www.kcrg.com/app/2025/06/...
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
What infuriates me so much about this new operation is that it is literally punishing people for following the rules and showing up to their court hearings. It is so toxic to the basic concept of following the rules.
It is an operation designed by people who hate the concept of the rule of law.
It is an operation designed by people who hate the concept of the rule of law.
These people were following the law and went to check in with immigration like they are supposed to.
This woman's immigration case was dismissed, which made her immediately undocumented.
So ICE took her into custody.
The air conditioning was off in the back of the truck.
"I can't breathe."
This woman's immigration case was dismissed, which made her immediately undocumented.
So ICE took her into custody.
The air conditioning was off in the back of the truck.
"I can't breathe."
June 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
What infuriates me so much about this new operation is that it is literally punishing people for following the rules and showing up to their court hearings. It is so toxic to the basic concept of following the rules.
It is an operation designed by people who hate the concept of the rule of law.
It is an operation designed by people who hate the concept of the rule of law.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
do people not realize that the past four decades of US policing legislation PR and practice have made the allegation that someone is a “gang member” entirely subject to the whims of the state
April 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
do people not realize that the past four decades of US policing legislation PR and practice have made the allegation that someone is a “gang member” entirely subject to the whims of the state
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
“One young man sobbed when a guard pushed him to the floor. He said, ‘I’m not a gang member. I’m gay. I’m a barber.’ I believed him. *** He “began to whimper,” as his head was roughly shaved, “folding his hands in prayer as his hair fell.” He “asked for his mother & cried as he was slapped again.”
What the Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador Experienced
Exclusive photos of the arrival of Venezuelan detainees deported from the U.S.
time.com
March 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
“One young man sobbed when a guard pushed him to the floor. He said, ‘I’m not a gang member. I’m gay. I’m a barber.’ I believed him. *** He “began to whimper,” as his head was roughly shaved, “folding his hands in prayer as his hair fell.” He “asked for his mother & cried as he was slapped again.”
Cassidy Rea, a 3L student in the Fed Crim Defense clinic, and I presented on Executive Clemency for Iowa’s ACS chapter today. It’s so motivating to watch students capably and passionately describe the work they’ve done in an area of law they once knew nothing about. Clinical ed for the win!
February 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Cassidy Rea, a 3L student in the Fed Crim Defense clinic, and I presented on Executive Clemency for Iowa’s ACS chapter today. It’s so motivating to watch students capably and passionately describe the work they’ve done in an area of law they once knew nothing about. Clinical ed for the win!
Mr. Maxwell is coming home 😭 It has been a long, long road. And that he trusted us to be his lawyers for so many years in so many forums is an unrivaled gift. You can read about him here: www.nytimes.com/2020/08/01/u...
Law to Reduce Crack Cocaine Sentences Leaves Some Imprisoned (Published 2020)
Critics say the First Step Act is being applied too arbitrarily by judges who are taking a hard line when it comes to revisiting nonviolent drug sentences.
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Mr. Maxwell is coming home 😭 It has been a long, long road. And that he trusted us to be his lawyers for so many years in so many forums is an unrivaled gift. You can read about him here: www.nytimes.com/2020/08/01/u...
I appreciate these big Biden commutation announcements, but as a lawyer for several people in the process, the delay between the press release and the actual list with specific names is about as anxiety producing as waiting for a jury verdict.
January 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I appreciate these big Biden commutation announcements, but as a lawyer for several people in the process, the delay between the press release and the actual list with specific names is about as anxiety producing as waiting for a jury verdict.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Biden commuted 37 ppl on death row + 1000s on home confinement at risk of returning to prison. But so far he hasn’t used clemency to free currently incarcerated ppl.
My feature on one group pleading for help: survivors of guard sexual abuse who exposed widespread misconduct.
“Give us a chance”
My feature on one group pleading for help: survivors of guard sexual abuse who exposed widespread misconduct.
“Give us a chance”
Survivors of prison sexual abuse scandal ask Biden for clemency: ‘Give us a chance’
Incarcerated women seek relief after exposing harassment, retaliation and assault by staff
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Biden commuted 37 ppl on death row + 1000s on home confinement at risk of returning to prison. But so far he hasn’t used clemency to free currently incarcerated ppl.
My feature on one group pleading for help: survivors of guard sexual abuse who exposed widespread misconduct.
“Give us a chance”
My feature on one group pleading for help: survivors of guard sexual abuse who exposed widespread misconduct.
“Give us a chance”
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
NEW: We interviewed women behind bars who exposed the widespread sexual abuse of US prison officers, but who have struggled to get relief. They are pleading with Biden for clemency.
“After everything I’ve been through, I deserve to be protected. Give me a chance … Let me see my granddaughters”
“After everything I’ve been through, I deserve to be protected. Give me a chance … Let me see my granddaughters”
Survivors of prison sexual abuse scandal ask Biden for clemency: ‘Give us a chance’
Incarcerated women seek relief after exposing harassment, retaliation and assault by staff
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2024 at 5:12 PM
NEW: We interviewed women behind bars who exposed the widespread sexual abuse of US prison officers, but who have struggled to get relief. They are pleading with Biden for clemency.
“After everything I’ve been through, I deserve to be protected. Give me a chance … Let me see my granddaughters”
“After everything I’ve been through, I deserve to be protected. Give me a chance … Let me see my granddaughters”
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
What does zeroing out the BOP budget even mean?
If the idea is to go full private, you still have to pay the contractors.
And there’s no way the prisons can “earn their keep” via prison labor—couldn’t even do that in the pro-business 1800s (tho some may have came close-ish).
If the idea is to go full private, you still have to pay the contractors.
And there’s no way the prisons can “earn their keep” via prison labor—couldn’t even do that in the pro-business 1800s (tho some may have came close-ish).
Musk and Ramaswamy have already identified $516B dollars in government savings — it includes cutting all of Veteran’s Affairs health care, eliminating the NIH, and ending funding for federal prisons. @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social
December 6, 2024 at 2:39 AM
What does zeroing out the BOP budget even mean?
If the idea is to go full private, you still have to pay the contractors.
And there’s no way the prisons can “earn their keep” via prison labor—couldn’t even do that in the pro-business 1800s (tho some may have came close-ish).
If the idea is to go full private, you still have to pay the contractors.
And there’s no way the prisons can “earn their keep” via prison labor—couldn’t even do that in the pro-business 1800s (tho some may have came close-ish).
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Hunter's pardon better be the first of a huge flurry of commutations. There are so many cases even more deserving than this one that the Pardon Attorney has recommended granting, and they're just waiting for Biden's signature. It would be inexcusable to see injustice only when it's a family member.
December 2, 2024 at 1:28 AM
Hunter's pardon better be the first of a huge flurry of commutations. There are so many cases even more deserving than this one that the Pardon Attorney has recommended granting, and they're just waiting for Biden's signature. It would be inexcusable to see injustice only when it's a family member.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Loads of #literary #magazines are coming to Bluesky, here is a great list to follow! PLEASE SHARE TO HELP THEM LEAVE TWITTER!
#litmags #writer #writingcommunity
go.bsky.app/7cWNC2j
#litmags #writer #writingcommunity
go.bsky.app/7cWNC2j
November 17, 2024 at 3:56 AM
Loads of #literary #magazines are coming to Bluesky, here is a great list to follow! PLEASE SHARE TO HELP THEM LEAVE TWITTER!
#litmags #writer #writingcommunity
go.bsky.app/7cWNC2j
#litmags #writer #writingcommunity
go.bsky.app/7cWNC2j
Even a former BOP official during the previous Trump Admin agrees CARES Act clemency is low-hanging fruit. I hope Biden will be bold. But if he can’t be bold, at the very least he can commute the sentences of everyone who is already in the community.
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
Biden’s easy case for clemency: prisoners in home confinement
This group of people has proven to be trustworthy and safe in our society.
thehill.com
November 28, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Even a former BOP official during the previous Trump Admin agrees CARES Act clemency is low-hanging fruit. I hope Biden will be bold. But if he can’t be bold, at the very least he can commute the sentences of everyone who is already in the community.
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Do you know about social science that you think criminal defense attorneys should be incorporating into their arguments? Have you written a criminal defense motion incorporating social science? If so, please help us create a national network. Upload your studies and motions to datafordefenders.org
November 27, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Do you know about social science that you think criminal defense attorneys should be incorporating into their arguments? Have you written a criminal defense motion incorporating social science? If so, please help us create a national network. Upload your studies and motions to datafordefenders.org
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
You wanted starter packs to be searchable. Our engineers are busy keeping us online, so in the meantime, an independent developer built a new searchable library of starter packs. This is the beauty of building in the open 🦋
November 26, 2024 at 5:11 AM
You wanted starter packs to be searchable. Our engineers are busy keeping us online, so in the meantime, an independent developer built a new searchable library of starter packs. This is the beauty of building in the open 🦋
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Today, 54 people who received clemency from President Biden and the previous four administration sent a letter to President Biden urging him to lead with justice and mercy and grant clemency now! Clemency is his last opportunity to build a strong legacy on reform!
Read the full letter here!
Read the full letter here!
November 25, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Today, 54 people who received clemency from President Biden and the previous four administration sent a letter to President Biden urging him to lead with justice and mercy and grant clemency now! Clemency is his last opportunity to build a strong legacy on reform!
Read the full letter here!
Read the full letter here!
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
While I'm daydreaming about pies and putting off some other work, I want to tell you about what I did on Friday afternoon. But first, I have to go back about 15 years.
TBC, skeeted with permission from the person this about.
TBC, skeeted with permission from the person this about.
November 25, 2024 at 9:31 PM
While I'm daydreaming about pies and putting off some other work, I want to tell you about what I did on Friday afternoon. But first, I have to go back about 15 years.
TBC, skeeted with permission from the person this about.
TBC, skeeted with permission from the person this about.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Exclusive: 60+ lawmakers call on Biden to use his clemency powers to help "the elderly and chronically ill, those on death row, people with unjustified sentencing disparities, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers.” theappeal.org/biden-commut...
U.S. Reps Urge Biden to Use Clemency to Correct “Extreme Use of Incarceration”
U.S. Congressmembers, including Ayanna Pressley, say Joe Biden should grand pardons and commutations before Donald Trump takes office.
theappeal.org
November 20, 2024 at 5:29 PM
Exclusive: 60+ lawmakers call on Biden to use his clemency powers to help "the elderly and chronically ill, those on death row, people with unjustified sentencing disparities, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers.” theappeal.org/biden-commut...
Judge Rebecca Pennell was just confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington! Judge Pennell was my mentor when I started at the Federal Defender’s office. A native of EDWA and immensely invested in its people, there is absolutely no one better qualified.
November 20, 2024 at 5:29 PM
Judge Rebecca Pennell was just confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington! Judge Pennell was my mentor when I started at the Federal Defender’s office. A native of EDWA and immensely invested in its people, there is absolutely no one better qualified.
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Surprised I haven't found more law school clinicians on here so I made a starter pack. Let me know if I missed you.
go.bsky.app/3KSGAC3
go.bsky.app/3KSGAC3
November 19, 2024 at 9:49 AM
Surprised I haven't found more law school clinicians on here so I made a starter pack. Let me know if I missed you.
go.bsky.app/3KSGAC3
go.bsky.app/3KSGAC3
Reposted by Alison Guernsey
Periodic reminder that the U.S. Supreme Court has never held that it's unconstitutional to use a peremptory strike based on a juror's religion.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
An Investigation Into How Prosecutors Picked Death-Penalty Juries
One of the notes on potential jurors read, “I liked him better than any other Jew But No Way,” then added, “Must Kick, too Risky.”
www.newyorker.com
November 18, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Periodic reminder that the U.S. Supreme Court has never held that it's unconstitutional to use a peremptory strike based on a juror's religion.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...