Researcher Howard Henderson on Reimagining Policing in the U.S.
Henderson says policing in the U.S. perpetuates systems of inequality that mirror the nation’s history of colonialism.
Michael Barajas
Michael Barajas is a staff writer covering civil rights for the Texas Observer. Before joining the Observer, he was editor of the San Antonio Current and managing editor of the Houston Press. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.
Articles by Michael Barajas
A Monumental Undertaking
Protests to remove racist statues and iconography are part of a larger effort to reframe Texas history.
Running from the Storm
Hurricane Laura underscores the threat and disruption of storm seasons super-charged by climate change.
When Asthma in Jail Becomes a Death Sentence
Deaths like Savion Hall’s are tragically common in Texas jails. What’s unusual are the criminal charges against the people responsible for treating him.
In Harris County, A Group is Working to Expand Voting Access in Jails
The lack of access for eligible voters in pretrial detention is part of a larger constellation of disenfranchisement for people whose lives intersect with the criminal legal system.
Reform vs. Rebuild: Defunding Law Enforcement in Texas
Years of activism and a legacy of police violence are fueling demands to reimagine public safety.
COVID-19 Has Delayed Programs That Texas Prisoners Need to Get Out
People approved for parole in the Texas prison system already waited months to start programs required for their release. Coronavirus is making some wait even longer.
Why Protesters In Austin Are Chanting ‘Justice for Mike Ramos’
The protests sweeping Texas cities are a stark reminder of the pain caused by police violence.
Locked Out
Visitation is a critical lifeline for incarcerated people, yet some families say Texas prison officials ban them from seeing loved ones over petty or unproven claims of misconduct.
How COVID-19 Upended Texas Prisons
While prison officials insist they’re doing their best in the face of an unprecedented crisis, Governor Greg Abbott has effectively ignored the pandemic inside the Texas prison system.