Joe Soss
@joesoss.bsky.social
Professor, U. of Minnesota. Social Inequalities, Politics, and Policy. Coauthor of Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo249657890.html
Let's not forget that Harvard's administration did not stand up until Harvard AAUP, @aaup.org, and @uaw.org acted first.
Clara Jeffery@clarajeffery.bsky.social · 4w agoHarvard stood up to Trump where Columbia didn't and Yale is wavering and look, it worked: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/u...
"After enduring months of anti-ICE protests at its bank offices, Citizens Financial Group is parting ways with two for-profit prison operators that oversee detention facilities for the federal immigration enforcement agency." www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/17/b...
Citizens Bank parts ways with two prison operators amid ICE protests - The Boston Globe
Citizens said the end of its relationships with GEO Group and CoreCivic was driven by changing financial needs of the two clients, not by protests.
bostonglobe.com
With respect, and this is NOT a defense of Trump (who I loathe), I know people who did decades of prison time for felonies and who now SAVE LIVES in their communities Trump is unrepentant, a bad person, and should not be President, but it has NOTHING to do with having felony convictions
Chef Rocky@chefrocky413.bsky.social · 2mo ago#DonTheCon duped every single ignorant American… just like he planned. … that’s why he ran as a Republican. ..
Every single refugee we've let in since December is supposedly fleeing white genocide.
US accepts only white refugees for sixth consecutive month
The Trump administration is spending more than $100 million to fight the "emergency" of "white genocide" in South Africa.
motherjones.com
“Trump has used sports to his political advantage more than any president in recent history.” Political scientist and ex–soccer pro @julesboykoff.bsky.social on how Trump—like Putin before him—is the World Cup’s biggest winner.
Sportswashed: FIFA's long love affair with authoritarians
Political scientist and ex–soccer pro Jules Boykoff on how Trump—like Putin before him—is the World Cup's biggest winner.
motherjones.com
You already know about Mamdani, but do you know about the incredible work of the Union of Pinnacle Tenants? And why aren’t we telling that story? Who benefits when we onscure the power of ordinary people organized for change? www.pinnacletenants.org/about-us
About Us - Union of Pinnacle Tenants
pinnacletenants.org
Relying on police issued fines to fund your city is a thing that gives cops tremendous unaccountable power in addition to ensuring revenue collection falls heavily on those with less to begin with.
Thank you! We are both so thrilled.
Law and Society Association@lawandsociety.bsky.social · 4mo agoCongrats to @joesoss.bsky.social and @joshpage.bsky.social of @umncla.bsky.social, @univofminnesota.bsky.social for winning LSA’s 2026 Herbert Jacob Book Prize for Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice! @uchicagopress.bsky.social View all winners here: bit.ly/LSAAwards2026
Thinking about the extraordinary legacy of David Rosner- historian, public health scholar, and one of the most important voices on how corporate power, industrial pollution, and structural inequality shaped American health and lives. 🧵
David Rosner | Guests | BillMoyers.com
David Rosner, a Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, studies how structural inequities impact
billmoyers.com
Alondra Nelson@alondra.bsky.social · 4mo agoFifteen years ago, when I arrived at Columbia U, David Rosner already had the kind of research career and impact one can only hope for--and yet no one was more generous or kind. I was deeply honored to blurb his final book. I will miss him greatly. RIP David the great. May your memory be a blessing.
There is a statue of author Alex Haley in East Knoxville, TN. Knox County just removed Roots from all school libraries.
Alex Haley’s “Roots” to be removed from Knox County Schools libraries
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Alex Haley’s book “Roots” is included in an updated list of book titles to be removed from Knox County Schools libraries. The schools previously remove…
wate.com
The revolving door between the private prison industry and DHS continues apace. CoreCivic, GEO Group, and the others are now more than just "partners" of the government. They are the government. #LegalPlunder
The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com · 4mo agoThe Department of Homeland Security has selected David Venturella, a former private prison executive, to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Thrilled to see this interview about #LegalPlunder that my co-author @joshpage.bsky.social and I did with Amna Akbar posted at @lpeblog.bsky.social
LPE Blog@lpeblog.bsky.social · 4mo agoToday, Amna Akbar interviews @joesoss.bsky.social and @joshpage.bsky.social about their recent work on the predatory dimensions of criminal legal governance.
In our latest Member Spotlight, @joesoss.bsky.social shares how he used his book promotion tour to also build relationships with people in communities who could use his expertise in their push for criminal justice reform. scholars.org/features/mem...
In 1979, Mattel sold toy Battlestar Galactica fighter ships that fired a tiny spring-loaded "torpedo." One 4-year old choked on it, and the entire line of torpedo toys was recalled and never sold again.
The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 4mo agoHe asked ChatGPT for advice on a mass killing. Minutes later, two were dead. OpenAI is wrestling with how to handle its most chilling conversations.
New in Criminology! Punishment as a racialized package of confinement, cash, and surveillance. By @ryanplarson.bsky.social , @robertstewart.io , @veronicalhorowitz.bsky.social, and some old guy. This detailed thread by Ryan show ‘n tells the story.
Ryan Larson@ryanplarson.bsky.social · 4mo agoNew paper out in Criminology w/ @robertstewart.io, @veronicalhorowitz.bsky.social, & @chrisuggen.bsky.social We model punishment more closely as it is experienced by defendants - a constitutive package of incarceration, probation, and monetary sanctions. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Young artists aged 16-24 who have been directly impacted by criminalization/policing/punishment can apply for this residency & get $2500 to work on a creative project! Visit bit.ly/diyresidency26 to learn more. Please help us spread the word!
HHS results even more horrific Share of HHS who say their political leaders "maintain high levels of integrity: 4.2% Share who have trust in their political leadership: 2.8% Share who are confident they can report a suspected violation of law/rule/reg without retaliation: 8.7%
Great new article by @genevavalerie.bsky.social Highly recommended!
Geneva@genevavalerie.bsky.social · 6mo agoVery excited to see this paper out in the world! Across 3 rounds of interviews with white Minnesotans, I show that white id varies and responds dynamically to shifts in context. Many whites have low id but vary in how they interpret whiteness—as providing them dis/advantages. 1/7
Many thanks to the brilliant @kbdphd.bsky.social for having @joshpage.bsky.social and me on her podcast, Disrupted. One of the best experiences I've ever had doing a podcast. www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupt...
Connecticut’s Clean Slate law and a look at predatory criminal justice practices
CT Public's Maysoon Khan gives us the latest update on Connecticut's Clean Slate law and two professors discuss the way the legal system takes resources from marginalized communities
ctpublic.org
‘Why Is This Happening to Us?’ Daily Number of Kids in ICE Detention Jumps 6x Under Trump. Advocates: ‘It’s only a matter of time before we see a child die.’ Immigration Attorney: “It’s an unmitigated horror show, and there’s no other way to put it.” www.themarshallproject.org/.../ice-kids....
themarshallproject.org
'Legal Plunder' @joshpage.bsky.social @joesoss.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social is recommended in our Year in Books by Managing Editor @adammcgee.bsky.social as "innovative and refreshingly frank."
The Year in Books - Inquest
Inquest staff recommendations of not-to-be-missed decarceral books from 2025.
inquest.org
North Carolina raising the cost of products sold in state prisons by five cents is a significant increase to incarcerated workers who typically earn between forty cents and $1.25 per day.
North Carolina Prison Officials Raise Prices for Those Who Can Least Afford It
An increased markup on canteen goods adds to the financial burden on incarcerated people and their families, highlighting how prison systems squeeze them for revenue.
boltsmag.org
Good reporting on police departments' growing use of drones to automate and expand citation-based fines and surveillance. www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
A Police Drone Might Be Behind Your Next Ticket
Law enforcement is expanding the use of remotely controlled drones despite concerns of civil liberties groups.
wsj.com
#ICYMI: Our Co-Executive Director Joanna Weiss sat down with the authors of Legal Plunder to explore how fines & fees: 🔹 Turn courts into self-funding revenue schemes 🔹 Act as a hidden tax on over-policed communities 🔹 Push families into impossible choices 🎬 Watch now: tinyurl.com/5fje5tcy
The incomparable health & human rights leader Dr Mary Bassett has been terminated - a shocking move by Harvard bowing to pressure 🇺🇸 Read more & sign petition
Harvard Dismisses Director of FXB Center for Health and Human Rights | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard forced out the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights — another shakeup at a center whose programming on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a flashpoint...
thecrimson.com
Thanks @bailproject.org for the interview! Cash bail does not just fuel injustice and compromise public safety. It also enables widespread financial extraction that harms families and communities and intensifies inequality. #LegalPlunder cc/ @joesoss.bsky.social
Cash Bail Fuels "Legal Plunder"
Sociologist Joshua Page discusses how cash bail traps families in debt while feeding government and corporate profit.
bailproject.org
Join us for a talk with Legal Plunder authors, @joesoss.bsky.social & @joshpage.bsky.social, exploring how our fines & fees system came to be & what it will take to dismantle it. In-person registration is closed — but there’s still time to join virtually! 🗓️ 12/3, 12 PM ET 🎟️ tinyurl.com/3bnpprvb
If you're interested in hearing about my new book with @joesoss.bsky.social, Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice, join us virtually this Wednesday for a spirited discussion with @finesandfeesjc.bsky.social.
Fines and Fees Justice Center@finesandfeesjc.bsky.social · 9mo agoJoin us for a talk with Legal Plunder authors, @joesoss.bsky.social & @joshpage.bsky.social, exploring how our fines & fees system came to be & what it will take to dismantle it. In-person registration is closed — but there’s still time to join virtually! 🗓️ 12/3, 12 PM ET 🎟️ tinyurl.com/3bnpprvb
Join FFJC Co-ED Joanna Weiss for a conversation with the authors of Legal Plunder, @joesoss.bsky.social & @joshpage.bsky.social, exploring how our fines & fees system took shape and what it will take to dismantle it. 🗓️ 12/3, 12 PM ET 📍 Online or at New York Law School 🎟️ tinyurl.com/3bnpprvb
