Author: Malika Ali

I chose to review a project called Virulent Hate (Anti-Asian Hate and Resistance during COVID-19) because I found it intriguing and relevant to my interest in the pandemic. Since the projects on the Reviews in DH website have already been assessed, I wanted to explore something new and contribute my perspective to the discussion. It was also a nice break from trying to dissect articles and datasets.

The Virulent Hate Project was developed by the University of Michigan’s Center for Social Solutions and Poverty Solutions initiative. It is an essential resource for documenting the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing over 4,000 news articles from 2020, the project identified more than 1,000 unique cases of anti-Asian racism. This comprehensive data collection helps us understand the various forms of harassment and discrimination faced by Asian Americans, helping to create a detailed and comprehensive database. The project’s transparent methods, emphasis on storytelling and humanizing (not just treating people like data points), as well as collecting thorough data make it a reliable resource for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

One of the standout features of the Virulent Hate Project is its user-friendly design. The interactive map and detailed reports allow users to explore where and how these hate incidents occurred, providing valuable insights into the geographical and contextual aspects of anti-Asian harassment. The project also clearly explains its data collection and analysis methods, enhancing its credibility and transparency. I did sort of feel that the project could benefit from an even greater emphasis on storytelling and humanizing, perhaps through more media and images of people who were affected by harassment and discrimination. Sharing the personal stories behind the data would humanize the statistics and help preserve the individual and communal stories shaped by the rise in xenophobia during the pandemic. This approach would make the project even more impactful by providing a deeper, more emotional connection to the data.

Another strong aspect of the project is its commitment to accessibility. The site is designed to be easy to view and navigate, ensuring that the information is available to a wide audience. The project also highlights resilience and activism within Asian American communities, showcasing efforts to resist racism and advocate for change. By providing information on organizations like Stop AAPI Hate and the Bridging Divides Initiative, the Virulent Hate Project not only documents the problem but also supports broader efforts to promote racial justice and equity. Overall, the Virulent Hate Project is a vital, evolving resource that combines thoughtful research with resources and effective next steps.

For more information, visit the Virulent Hate Project website!

The Effects of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania’s Criminal Justice System

A Comprehensive Study of the Pandemic’s Effects on Law Enforcement, Courts, and Corrections

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant global impacts, affecting every aspect of everyday life. Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system was particularly unequipped to handle the sudden and severe disruptions caused by the pandemic. The system faced unprecedented challenges, including managing the spread of the virus within overcrowded prisons, adapting to new protocols in law enforcement, and navigating the complexities of virtual court proceedings. 

• Overcrowded facilities became hotspots for the virus, which resulted in early releases and new safety measures to protect both inmates and staff. 
• Law enforcement agencies had to quickly adopt new practices to maintain public safety while adhering to health guidelines. 
• The shift to virtual court proceedings introduced a range of technical and logistical issues, impacting the efficiency and fairness of the judicial process.

These rapid changes shed light on existing weaknesses in the system and demanded urgent, innovative responses to unprecedented problems.

Because of the pandemic, policies and procedures that had been in place for decades were suddenly overturned, requiring immediate re-evaluation and adjustment. The challenges faced during this period were not only logistical but also ethical and legal, as the rights and safety of individuals had to be balanced against public health concerns. 

This period of intense pressure and rapid change provides a unique lens through which to examine the vulnerabilities and strengths of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, offering valuable insights for future reforms and improvements.

Impact of Social Movements

During the pandemic, the increased media coverage of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement brought additional scrutiny and pressure on Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. Although BLM had existed for years, the pandemic period saw a significant surge in its visibility and influence, driven by high-profile incidents of police violence and public outcry. These social movements intensified public demand for reform and accountability, causing many law enforcement agencies and judicial bodies to reconsider their practices and policies. The widespread protests and calls for justice highlighted long standing issues of racial disparities and inequality within the system.

The effects of the pandemic and social movements are deeply intertwined, making it challenging to separate the impacts of each on the criminal justice system. The simultaneous pressures from public health concerns and social justice activism created a unique and complex environment for policymakers. 

• Finish section by discussing how the project aims to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 period and that cannot be done without considering the intertwined rise of social activism and demand for reform. 

These factors influenced changes in arrest and incarceration rates, court operations, and law enforcement practices. This research project hopes to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these factors reshaped the landscape of justice. This study will also explore the lasting effects of these changes, identifying areas of improvement and best practices that can inform future responses to similar crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant global impacts that affected all aspects of everyday life. One area that was particularly unequipped to handle these events was America’s criminal justice system. Events such as increased media coverage of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement further influenced the system. So how exactly did the pandemic as a whole affect the system, and what sorts of short term and long term effects are present? 

Area of Interest:

Pennsylvania (possibly New Jersey as well for a comparison model) 

Narrow down the time frame:

• Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
• Pandemic (2020-2021)
• “Post” Pandemic (2022-2023)

3 Major Components of the Criminal Justice System:

1. Law Enforcement:
   • Study Changes in Arrest Rates
     • Analyze how arrest rates changed across Pennsylvania before, during, and after the pandemic.
     • Consider racial disparities in arrest rates.
     • Collect data on arrest rates and COVID-19 infection rates.
     • Impact of BLM and Social Unrest:
       • Examine how increased media coverage and social unrest affected law enforcement practices.
2. The Courts:
   • Operational Changes
     • Analyze changes in court operations, including delays in trials and the shift to virtual legal proceedings.
     • The impact on access to legal representation and the quality of defense.
   • Study changes in prosecution rates and policy shifts.
3. Corrections:
4. Study changes in incarceration rates and prison conditions
5. Investigate policies aimed at reducing overpopulation and exposure to COVID-19, such as early releases.
6. Collect data on COVID-19 spread within correctional facilities.

Data Collection:

1. Types of Data Needed:
   • Arrest Rates in PA:
   • Incarceration Rates in PA:
   • Prosecution Rates in PA:
   • COVID-19 Spread Rates in PA:
     • General spread rates and specific rates within incarceration facilities
   • Recorded Changes in Policy
2. Sources
   • Arrest and Incarceration Rates:
     • Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
     • Pennsylvania State Police arrest records
     • Bureau of Justice Statistics
     • Local county jails and police department records
   • Prosecution Rates (?)
   • COVID-19 Spread Rates:
     • Pennsylvania Department of Health
     • Reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
     • CDC reports on COVID-19
   • Policy Approaches and Changes:
     • Official government releases and policy documents from Pennsylvania
     • Legislative records
     • News articles and scholarly articles 
   • Possible Comparison Data:
     • New Jersey Department of Corrections
     • Philadelphia Police Department and local jails
     • Comparative reports from organizations like the Prison Policy Initiative
   • Qualitative Information:
     • Reports from criminal justice advocacy groups
     • News articles and scholarly articles 

Analysis:

1. Short-term Effects:
   • Immediate Changes:
     • Analyze immediate changes in arrest rates, incarceration rates, and prosecution rates.
     • Study policy shifts and changes in law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
   • Policy and Procedural Shifts:
     • Analyze effects of policy changes, such as those aimed at reducing overpopulation in correctional facilities.
2. Long-term Effects:
   • Systemic Changes:
     • Lasting impacts on arrest rates, incarceration rates, prosecution rates, and policy shifts.
   • Public Attitudes:
     • How public attitudes towards law enforcement have changed.
     • Perceptions of justice and equity.

Conclusion:

• Immediate and long term effects
• Best Practices and Areas for Improvement:
  • Best practices implemented during the pandemic.
  • Areas for improvement in the criminal justice system.
  • Discuss how these insights can improve responses to future public health issues.

Platform:

• Debating between WordPress and ARCGis for presentation and visualization (leaning towards ARCGis) 
• Narrative Approach
  • Tell the story of how the pandemic affected the criminal justice system.
  • Highlight the factors that emerged as a result of the pandemic and how they altered lives and the system.
  • Discuss the long-lasting effects on legal system, law enforcement practices, and public perceptions of justice