Keir Bradford-Grey on Gov. Wolf’s Reprieve Order
Governor Wolf today ordered the PA Department of Corrections officials to develop a process to release vulnerable and non-violent inmates at or nearing their release dates.
Philly Defender Q&A: COVID-19 Emergency
Philly’s public defenders know that our clients, their families, and friends are extremely concerned about their health during this pandemic. We’re still doing our best to represent and ensure the health and safety of our clients and our communities, and are working hard to provide you with as much information as we can during these…
COVID-19 in Philly’s Jails
In Philly’s jails, the threat posed by pandemics like COVID-19 is not limited to those behind their walls. Corrections officers, administrators and health workers come and go on a daily basis, in addition to the inmates who are released because they make bail or have served their sentence. For example, New York City’s jail, Riker’s Island,…
Defender, DAO Call for More Progressive Action to Fight Spread of COVID-19
District Attorney Larry Krasner and Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey issued the following joint statement calling on the First Judicial District to move more aggressively to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in the criminal justice system: PHILADELPHIA– “The Defender Association of Philadelphia and the District Attorney’s Office are glad that the First Judicial District is finally ready to…
Defender Association Submits COVID-19 Prison Release Policy
Defender Association: to protect the health of our clients, prison staff and our communities, we need agreement and a commitment from our justice system partners to categorically release certain populations from our prisons.
KEIR BRADFORD-GREY ON SUSPENSION OF LOW-LEVEL ARRESTS DURING CORONVIRUS OUTBREAK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 18, 2019 CONTACT: George Jackson | 267.765.6768 | gjackson@philadefender.org We can prioritize public safety and keep the jail population down to stop the spread of COVID-19. PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia supports Philadelphia Police Chief Danielle Outlaw’s decision to suspend the police department’s practice of arresting…
Keir Bradford-Grey on Firing of MontCo Defenders
PHILADELPHIA–“The sudden termination of Montgomery County’s top defenders, Dean Beer (chief) and Keisha Hudson (deputy) chief is a stunning move that will have a negative, chilling effect on public defenders who want to provide the best possible representation for indigent clients. “Beer and Hudson were doing the critical work of not just representing their…
Kier Bradford-Grey on Use of ODARA
Keir Bradford-Grey testified before the PA Sentencing Commission in opposition to ODARA and other Risk Assessment tools on February 19, 2020
Chief Defender on PJI Reversal on Risk Assessment Tools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2020 CONTACT: George Jackson | 267.765.6768 | gjackson@philadefender.org PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia would like to applaud the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) for the public and courageous reversal of their previous position on pre-trial risk assessment tools. As they noted in their latest position paper, these tools ‘can no…
Shop Talk Series
About Shop Talk Philadelphia has an existing network of barbershops owned by credible community leaders, who have partnered with the Defender Association’s Children & Youth Justice (CYJ) Unit to bring various programs and services directly to these communities through a series of public events known as “Shop Talk” These events are staffed by Defender attorneys,…