In New Jersey, there’s no legal mechanism for judges to take into account whether a defendant suffered abuse that may have been a factor in their committing a crime. Seventy-two percent of first-time offenders imprisoned for a violent crime in the state’s women’s prison were abused by their victim. While Governor Phil Murphy has granted clemency to some people, The ACLU of New Jersey and other groups are now advocating for a legislative fix. @bolts takes a look at the issue.

https://boltsmag.org/new-jersey-clemency-and-sentencing-for-survivors-of-abuse/

#Incarceration #Prison #PrisonReform #Clemency #Law #NewJersey #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Ukrainians smile less than Americans — and not just because of the war. @timkmak’s Counteroffensive looks at the concept of “resting Slavic face,” and the cultural reasons behind it. [Story may be paywalled].

https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/why-do-ukrainians-smile-less-than

#Ukraine #UkrainianWar #Psychology #Culture #RestingSlavicFace #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

How do you like your eggs? Preferably without bird flu. @TheConversationUS looks back at how America was on the brink of a pandemic in 1957, but managed to avoid it thanks, in part, to the abundance of eggs that were used in the production of the vaccine. Will the U.S. get lucky again?

https://theconversation.com/us-dodged-a-bird-flu-pandemic-in-1957-thanks-to-eggs-and-dumb-luck-with-a-new-strain-spreading-fast-will-americans-get-lucky-again-247157

#History @histodons #Science #BirdFlu #Medicine #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Last of all, a bit of lightness in another heavy week: Our @CultureDesk shared this story about how the Proud Boys have had to give up their trademark to a Black church they vandalized. The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. can also block the far-right group from selling licensed goods, like T-shirts or hats, without the church's approval. @AssociatedPress has the full story.

https://apnews.com/article/proud-boys-trademark-church-jan-6-enrique-tarrio-de927b297eaf45df048771a5d52199eb

#ProudBoys #BlackMastodon @blackmastodon #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

@Flipboard @TheConversationUS @histodons I prefer my eggs vegan. Reducing the risk of another pandemic is just one more good reason.