Tag: prison

Black Voices Matter, Features

Caravan demands release of ex-Black Panther from prison

Katia Faroun & Carissa Haslam | The Duquesne Duke 01/21/2021 Seventy-seven years old. Suffering from stage 4 cancer. Diagnosed with COVID-19. Russell “Maroon” Shoatz’s story sounds tragically familiar in a pandemic-stricken world, where millions of already vulnerable individuals have found themselves battling a contagious respiratory virus on top of underlying health conditions. But an additional fact makes his situation unique: Shoatz is in prison, where … Continue reading Caravan demands release of ex-Black Panther from prison

The Duquesne Duke
Features

Elsinore Bennu Think Tank: A beacon of restorative justice

Katia Faroun and Griffin Sendek | The Duquesne Duke Standing on the Bluff facing west, students have a striking view of Pittsburgh’s historical South Side, Mount Washington and the majestic Ohio River, with the Allegheny County Jail prevailing in the foreground. A mere stone’s throw away from Duquesne’s campus and close enough for students to catch glimpses of figures moving in the windows, the County … Continue reading Elsinore Bennu Think Tank: A beacon of restorative justice

The Duquesne Duke
Features

Bryan Stevenson speaks on how to change the world

04/04/19 Griffin Sendek | Features Editor As part of Robert Morris University Pittsburgh Speakers Series, Bryan Stevenson, an acclaimed lawyer famous for his work in criminal justice reform, was invited to give a speech at Heinz Hall on March 27 Stevenson structured his lecture around the ways in which people can change the world, beginning with the power of proximity — delineating the importance of … Continue reading Bryan Stevenson speaks on how to change the world

The Duquesne Duke
Opinions

Though prison strike ends; prison problems do not

09/13/2018 By Timothy Rush | Staff Columnist  “They have us in cells designed for one man with two men. They put these big plates over our windows, where we can’t see outside. 90 percent of the rooms here don’t have any lockers, chairs, or tables. The top bunk is almost six feet from the ground. There’s no ladder. We have men in their late forties … Continue reading Though prison strike ends; prison problems do not

The Duquesne Duke
Opinions

Pittsburgh dance instructor deserves jail

By Rebekah Devorak | Opinions Editor  Pittsburgh’s most notorious dance instructor is at it again, but this time, she’s trying to two-step around a federal prison sentence. Abby Lee Miller, the star of Lifetime’s hit show “Dance Moms,” is trying to convince U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti that she should receive probation instead of federal prison time, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Miller was … Continue reading Pittsburgh dance instructor deserves jail

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment
Opinions

Solitary confinement cruel punishment for prisoner

By Ollie Gratzinger | Staff Columnist  It’s no secret that prisons in the United States are in need of serious reform. It may be the horror stories that emerge from behind the concrete walls that keep civilians mostly in check, but a system that perpetuates fear of punishment is bound to reach a point at which it punishes too severely. The Department of Corrections (DOC) … Continue reading Solitary confinement cruel punishment for prisoner

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment
News, Uncategorized

Art display showcases prisoners’ work

Casey Chafin | For the Duquesne Duke A new exhibit on the third floor of the Duquesne Union showcases artwork and poetry created by an unusual group of artists — prison inmates. Last week, “Art Beyond Bars” opened in the Union’s Les Idees Gallery with pieces by inmates of the State Correctional Institution of Pittsburgh, according to Duquesne professor and the project’s faculty advisor, Elaine … Continue reading Art display showcases prisoners’ work

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment
Opinions

Staff Editorial: Former police Chief receives harsh sentence

By Duke Staff Pittsburgh citizens are rightly upset that former police Chief Nate Harper stole $32,000 of public money and spent it lavishly on himself. He spent the embezzled cash on everything from fine dining to a home oven. A federal judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison for his crimes. “I made a mistake, and it has been devastating. It has tarnished the … Continue reading Staff Editorial: Former police Chief receives harsh sentence

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment
Opinions

Staff Editorial: Negative reactions caused by celebrity drug overdoses

By Duke Staff It is always a somber moment when we discover someone has died, despite the relation or lack thereof. However, would one be mourned or remembered in the same way if a needle and 70 bags of heroin were involved? As details of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final hours emerged, the first remorseful moment the internet generated was dulled down to a buzz by … Continue reading Staff Editorial: Negative reactions caused by celebrity drug overdoses

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment
Opinions, Uncategorized

Moroccan teens imprisoned for kissing

By Katie Auwaerter | Student Columnist As taught by our mothers during our youth, a kiss can fix any problem. But sometimes, a kiss can spark an international debate. Three teens from Nador, Morocco have learned this lesson as they await their trial in court that could result in a two-year prison sentence. What heinous and unlawful act did these kids commit? Kissing in public, … Continue reading Moroccan teens imprisoned for kissing

The Duquesne DukeLeave a comment