criminal justice reform

Missouri already has an expungement system that allows people convicted of certain nonviolent misdemeanors and felonies to petition the court to seal their records. The "Clean Slate Act" would make that process automatic, potentially helping thousands of Missourians find housing and a job.

Lawmakers are leaving Jefferson City for a week having sent a total of four bills to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk, one more than last year at this point.

The legislation makes it easier for juveniles to be tried as adults and sets strict requirements for how long inmates must be imprisoned before they're eligible for parole.

Missouri is one of two states where, if a jury is deadlocked on whether to sentence someone to death, the judge can issue the death penalty. The bill also establishes an automatic record-clearing process for most nonviolent offenses.

Kansas City’s Wellness Court is partnering with a local yoga studio to offer a program called “Healing Justice.” It combines yoga, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce stress and recidivism among nonviolent offenders.

The legal group says low-income people are disproportionately affected by the cost of bail and calls for using no-cash bail for nonviolent crimes. But President Donald Trump argues it's leading to a rise in crime.

As the heat index hit 105 degrees, lawyers requested swift cooling measures in a Missouri prison with no A/C. One man shares the dangerous conditions inside while people await a judge’s ruling.

Kansas City’s Transition Center has trained experts in conflict resolution, job training and wellness. Classes are giving hope to an increasing number of repeat offenders that they can make long-term changes and stay out of prison.

Andre Harris, founder of the nonprofit Dads Against Crime, says that Kansas City's violent crime problem can't be fixed if people can't feel comfortable talking to law enforcement and discussing mental health.

A public defender, victim’s advocate and former inmate are part of an effort to improve Missouri’s parole system. The rules haven't been updated since 2017, and advocates say the burdens placed on formerly incarcerated are too great.

Tricia Rojo Bushnell spent the past 12 years bringing innocent incarcerated individuals home at the Midwest Innocence Project. Now, she's leaving to be the executive director at the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice.

Father Emil Kapaun served as an Army chaplain in the Korean war, and was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. In February, Pope Francis named him "venerable," bringing him one step closer to canonization as a saint. But interest in his life — and traffic to his hometown of Pilsen, Kansas — is already picking up.