Robynn Cox believes her family’s history with social justice and her desire for fairness laid the groundwork for her research career at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
Led by noted civil rights attorney Olu Orange, the Agents of Change Initiative enables students to participate in key areas of social reform.
USC Dornsife faculty and students teach university-level coursework to California prisoners in an effort to reduce recidivism rates and break down stereotypes.
Twenty-two years into a life sentence for a crime committed as a teen, a former gang member found hope with the help of USC legal advocates.
A new USC report found evidence of overpolicing along with a steady increase in 911 calls by community members to law enforcement agencies over much of the past decade.
After 40 years, the influential program has led the way in parole reform, shaped legislation and policies, and created second chances for incarcerated women and youths.
Olu Orange, civil rights lawyer and director of the USC mock trial program, won the reinstatement of an $8 million damages verdict to the family of a Black man killed by sheriff’s deputies.
Students gain important career experience working on a high-profile case involving suspended driver licenses.
Allen, Celia and Charles all received life sentences for crimes they committed as teens and spent 84 years combined in prison. Through their dedication and the project’s advocacy, they are now free.
A team of scientists from USC and other Southern California research institutions seeks to remove decision bias from the process of identifying suspects.
The LAPD reserve officer and USC radiation oncology specialist talks about combating racism as a society.
The recent decision by America’s highest court to retain employment discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community is consistent with a historic pattern of defying expectations, a USC expert notes.
Unchained Scholars brings together social work students who were system- or justice-impacted, along with their allies, to organize events and offer one another support.
A USC law professor investigates which counties are more likely to participate in immigration detention and what those counties all have in common.
Released prisoners share their stories while USC students write their own in an unusual partnership that has changed lives.
Team including USC law students and legal experts educates and counsels life-term youth offenders about new laws that could mean a second chance.
The PBS film Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story recounts Brown’s tragic childhood, running away and being forced into prostitution. In 2004, she was picked up by a man, went to his home and, claiming she feared for her life, shot and killed him.
For 20 years, Thomas Lyon has been studying how to best interview child witnesses. Now he’s making a difference in their court cases, too.
Lessons from social work and public policy can help law enforcement officers build bridges with their communities.
USC’s Post-Conviction Justice Project wins freedom for a man who spent more than half his life behind bars.
Essie Justice Group helps launch community leaders ready to advocate for and support other women.
Run-ins with the law landed José Barron in prison, but he never lost sight of his higher education goals.
Using location-based data, researchers show where violent crimes are concentrated and how that information can lead to positive results.
Pro bono work at the law school prepared Trojan for current role in the L.A. Office of Reentry.