Author: Bernard Smith
- About Bernard Smith
- Bernard E. Smith is a criminal justice reporter for The Lens, covering courts, corrections, policing, and justice reform across New Orleans and Louisiana. With a background in justice-focused education and more than two decades of lived experience within the system, Smith brings a uniquely informed perspective to issues of incarceration, legal access, and systemic accountability. He holds associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Christian Ministry, both earned during his time directly engaging with the justice system.
‘Somebody’s life is at stake’ — Louisiana advocates push for fair, representative juries
Glenn Davis instinctively connected his predominantly white jury and his wrongful verdict. His instincts are supported by jury-deliberation studies, which shows that non-diverse juries like his err more often.
Veto of Louisiana bill leaves exonerees facing payment caps
Greg Bright served 27.5 wrongful years in the Louisiana State Penitentiary. He is now facing financial hardship, because his innocence compensation ended in September.
New Louisiana law limiting disclosure of juror information takes effect August 1
While supporters say that Act 284 protects juror privacy, critics say that it goes too far, by not allowing exceptions for investigating case improprieties, making it impossible for wrongly convicted people to expose the errors in their convictions.
A Farm Line ruling could reshape daily life inside Angola
An imminent federal ruling could leave Angola’s Farm Line intact. Or it could deeply reshape daily work assignments for hundreds of incarcerated men.
Senate judiciary committee advances a bill to review split-jury convictions. Advocates say it falls short.
Hearing at Loyola gives a rare look ‘behind the curtain,’ at an often-invisible part of Louisiana’s justice system
An on-campus hearing showed decisions about freedom decided in real time, for men who have prepared for decades for a chance at parole.
Louisiana Senate rejects amendment to let newly elected clerk Calvin Duncan serve his term
In ‘deeply troubling’ move, senators pass three bills, cutting Duncan’s Orleans clerk position along with 11 New Orleans judges.
Despite scant plans and heated criticism, Louisiana Senate committee passes bills to overhaul New Orleans courts
Drastic legislative cuts would eliminate 11 judgeships and would defund the position of recently elected clerk Calvin Duncan.
Two New Orleans men, Wee and ‛Miracle Man,’ feel young but see how prison accelerates aging
Because of decades of high-stress and deficient healthcare, a 59-year-old in prison has a ‘geriatric morbidity’ that's equivalent to a 75-year-old on the outside.
