Imprint Author

Sylvia A. Harvey

Sylvia A. Harvey, also known as SAH, is an award-winning journalist reporting on the intersection of race, class, policy and incarceration. She is the author of "The Shadow System: Mass Incarceration and the American Family." Catch her online as @Ms_SAH. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

2/13/2023

After Decades Locked up, a Former DC Resident Adjusts to Freedom

Third in a three-part series on a teenager with a tumultuous childhood who was sent to die in prison and where his life would lead.

2/5/2023

After Decades in Prison, Should Adults Convicted as Teens Get a Second Chance? A Growing Number of State Laws Say Yes 

Cordell Miller was 49 and had spent 30 years locked up. Now he had to prove to a judge that he was far from his 17-year-old self.

1/30/2023

A Lonely Child Finds His Way Out of Abuse and Homelessness, It Lands Him Behind Bars

First in a three-part series on a teenager with a tumultuous childhood sent to die in prison, and where his life would lead.

3/22/2022

A Longtime Oakland Educator Speaks to the Vital Role of School for Youth Leaving Lockups

Hattie Tate has been an educator in the Bay Area for the past quarter century and for the last decade, she's connected youth leaving detention to education and other resources.

Contra Costa County DA Diana Becton, a Rare Prosecutor, Wants Youth Justice Reimagined

2/24/2022

Contra Costa County DA Diana Becton, a Rare Prosecutor, Wants Youth Justice Reimagined

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton is among a small group of district attorneys working to dial back decades of tough-on-crime approaches and as she does so, faces challenges.

Inspired by the Care He Received, Justice Leader Extends Supports to Marginalized Bay Area Youth

1/3/2022

Inspired by the Care He Received, Justice Leader Extends Supports to Bay Area Youth

Ali Knight, president and CEO of Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), discusses the way racism, marginalization, poverty and all forms of oppression suffocate young people and what his organization is doing to equip youth and advance the juvenile justice movement in California. 

One Letter to a Teacher Helps Formerly Jailed Kids Stay on Track

10/20/2021

One Letter to a Teacher Helps Formerly Jailed Kids Stay on Track

New research out of Stanford proposes a practice for better classroom relations between kids who have been jailed and their teachers.

Advocacy Groups Launch Nationwide Campaign to End Juvenile Court Fines and Fees

9/23/2021

Advocacy Groups Launch Nationwide Campaign to End Juvenile Court Fines and Fees

A coalition of youth advocacy groups launched Debt Free Justice, a new national campaign to abolishing such court-imposed fines and fees.

NAACP and Children’s Advocates Submit Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against Minnesota Child Welfare System

8/23/2021

Minnesota Legislature Again Fails to Pass Bill Defending Black Families

A bill defending Black families against racist practices in the child welfare system has failed to pass for a third time in the Minnesota Legislature.

Use of Foster Care Went Down During Pandemic. Did Maltreatment?

5/2/2021

When the Clock is Cruel: Parents Face Pandemic Hurdles as They Race to Keep Their Kids

In interviews The Imprint and Type Investigations conducted with lawyers, family members and child welfare advocates in at least six states, it’s clear that child welfare timelines have imposed unfair burdens and an unreasonable expectation for parents who — even under normal circumstances — have difficulty complying with court orders to get their kids back.

3/4/2021

Town Hall Held to Discuss Minnesota Bill Aimed At Limiting Black Family Separation

On Tuesday, at least 70 people – state representatives, community organizations, child protection allies, and directly impacted families – gathered for a virtual town hall to discuss legislation being produced that would limit child welfare actions against black families in Minnesota.