CIC partners with law students through the robust pro bono program at the University of California Irvine (UCI), which pairs UCI law students with public interest organizations nationwide, as well as through the Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) Law School Public Service Program, which connects students at Mitchell Hamline, the University of Minnesota, and St. Thomas to pro bono legal opportunities. The following reports have been researched and written by our student researchers.
The Washington Parenting Sentencing Alternative – 2025
Washington’s Parenting Sentencing Alternative not only cuts down on costs of incarceration, but also reunifies children with their parents. This report by UCI fellows Henry Borkgren, Lindsey Busk, Nicolas Guo, and Logan Jurnak explores the development and implementation of the two programs under this alternative and examines their impact on addressing parental incarceration.
The Illinois Children’s Best Interest Act – 2024
Since 2021, Illinois’s Children’s Best Interest Act has set forth additional mitigating factors for courts to consider when sentencing a parent or caregiver and has created the right to present a family impact statement at sentencing. This report by CIC students researchers Amanda Tyler and Bekah Muta explores the act’s implementation, obstacles, and future prospects.
Massachusetts allows primary caretakers of children to request a community sentence if they’re convicted of a crime. Now, advocates are hoping to create a path to pre-trial diversion for pregnant people and caregivers too. Learn more about the Primary Caretakers statute and new legislation in this report by UCI fellow Anthony Pimentel.
Alternatives to Incarceration for Parents in California – Progress in San Francisco – 2023
UCI fellows Karsen Melgard and Zoe Vikstrom co-wrote the above report investigating California’s Primary Caregiver Diversion Law.
Oregon Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program – 2023
In 2022, UCI fellow Meg Hinson wrote an initial report investigating Oregon’s Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program, and UCI fellow Nicolas Guo updated the report in 2023.
Community-Based Solutions for Alternatives to Parental Incarceration – 2023
In 2023, UCI fellow Sullyari Bautista wrote the above report investigating two programs: ReMerge in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the ARC Maternal and Infant Program in Madison, Wisconsin.