Transparency and Accountability Black Arm of the Law

Summary

The conversation with Sam Stecklow from the Invisible Institute focused on the importance of transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system, particularly in relation to police misconduct. The Invisible Institute was founded to hold public institutions accountable, with a specific focus on police departments. They have worked to obtain and make accessible data on police misconduct, including through the Citizens Police Data Project. The conversation highlighted the challenges in accessing and analyzing this data, as well as the need for systemic changes to address issues such as wandering cops and the hiring of officers with a history of misconduct. The public was encouraged to educate themselves about public records laws and advocate for transparency and accountability in their communities.