Michael Jinkins, 05/24/12

President, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

The spiraling costs of incarceration ironically are eating into the potential funding for the best viable option to solve the problem -- education.

Charles Ferguson, 05/23/12

Director of the Wall Street documentary 'Inside Job'; Author of the forthcoming book, 'Predator Nation'

It is no exaggeration to say that since the 1980s, much of the financial sector has become criminalized, creating an industry culture that tolerates or even encourages systematic fraud.

Eric Berkowitz, 05/23/12

Writer, lawyer, and journalist; author, 'Sex and Punishment'

I would be glad if, after reading my book, people paused before they condemned others for their sexual behavior. Of course, violence and abuse of power are always wrong, but we must realize that we all have inherited attitudes and morals that are, at bottom, arbitrary.

Chava Tombosky, 05/22/12

Writer, singer, filmmaker

As G-d stands watching our reaction, we are forced to create an initiative that I dare say, can take on a new day if we are willing and open. As a first step in destroying the silence, I invite you all to belong to a new community and a new higher consciousness.

Gail A. Hornstein, 05/23/12

Professor of Psychology at Mount Holyoke College

Anders Breivik claims to be part of a broader network called the Knights Templar, but police have not located any other members. If they did, would his actions appear less pathological? Would he then be seen as part of an organization rather than a madman?

Jane Yakowitz Bambauer, 05/22/12

Visiting assistant professor, Brooklyn Law School

Do the police need a warrant to bring a drug-sniffing dog to your front door? The U.S. Supreme Court will soon answer that question.

David Vognar, 05/22/12

Literacy Aide, Jane Addams Hull House Association

Until creative ideas are revisited to target the people in America most subject to chronic unemployment, policing efforts alone are unlikely to do much besides temporarily stop the bleeding.

Anthony Papa, 05/22/12

Manager, Media Relations, Drug Policy Alliance

Last year Mr. Douglas relapsed on drugs while serving his prison sentence. He was caught with very small amounts of opioids for personal use, including a single dose of a medication used to treat heroin dependence that he had obtained without a prescription.

David Protess, 05/22/12

President, Chicago Innocence Project

The next time you see an exoneree take his first steps to freedom, look past their smiles. Get pissed. Get involved. Make a difference.

Alan Dershowitz, 05/21/12

Criminal and civil liberties lawyer

A medical report by George Zimmerman's doctor has disclosed that Zimmerman had a fractured nose, two black eyes, two lacerations on the back of his head and a back injury on the day after the fatal shooting.

Michelangelo Signorile, 05/21/12

Editor-at-large, HuffPost Gay Voices; SiriusXM radio host

The Dharun Ravi verdict and sentencing represents a dramatic shift in society's view of anti-gay bullying and of bias crimes against LGBT people. Just compare what Ravi did to Tyler Clementi to what Mitt Romney reportedly did to a nonconforming student at his prep school in 1965.

Jacques Berlinerblau, 05/22/12

Director of Jewish Civilization, Georgetown University

What little recent Western media attention has been given to the remarkable country of Nigeria has not been positive. This is somewhat understandable as horrific images of violence against Christians has become an all too common news item.

Michelle Chen, 05/21/12

Blogger, In These Times and CultureStrike

Creative protest through film and media are forming a common language for a dialogue on migrants' rights, breaking their silence with one collective voice.

Nathaniel Frank, 05/21/12

Author, 'Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America'

While Ravi must take responsibility for his actions, we are all accountable, not just him. Punishing one dumb kid for failing to rein in his dark side primarily serves to make us feel better when it shouldn't, to shift the burden of responsibility to anyone but ourselves.

Katharina Obser, 05/21/12

Program Specialist at the Women’s Refugee Commission, Washington, D.C.

That the Obama administration has articulated in no uncertain terms that the Prison Rape Elimination Act should apply to all confinement is a huge victory for the countless detained individuals around the country.

Eli Lehrer, 05/21/12

Vice President, The Heartland Institute

Within a few years, the official rape prevention rules in every correctional facility in the country will be a lot better than they were a decade ago. The problem, however, isn't going to go away until a real cultural shift takes place in America.

Caroline Gluck, 05/21/12

Field-based press officer for Oxfam humanitarian team, former BBC correspondent

Built for 200 inmates, the prison currently houses over a thousand, mostly men, although there are also separate compounds for minors and women. It received just 1,000 liters of piped water a day, barely a liter per person for drinking, cooking and washing.