The Wren Collective
Reimagining the Way Our Country Approaches the Criminal Legal System
The Wren Collective works to transform America’s approach to public safety, expose the weaponization of the legal system, and ensure every person has the chance to participate in civic society. For too long, those with power have exploited the criminal legal system to take away the rights of marginalized communities, people of color, immigrants, and increasingly, their political opponents.
Wren pushes for a world where everyone—not just those with money and power—can live healthy, safe, and dignified lives.
Read Our Recent Publications
State Sovereignty Under Siege
For decades, conservatives championed the idea that power should remain with states and local governments. But Trump’s latest actions tell a different story: one where the federal government overrides local…
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Soldiers at Our Borders, Agents on Our Streets: The Fight for Immigrants’ Rights Is a Fight for Democracy
As of today, the fate of the approximately 11 million undocumented people in this country hangs in the balance. The Trump administration is currently playing coy after details leaked about…
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Not Just Trump: Fights For Democracy Are Happening Across The Country
We’ve been quiet these last few weeks. Many have offered their analyses for this country’s tremendous voter swings as well their predictions about what is to come under a second…
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Gideon Turns 60: Harris County, TX
In “Death by Design” Parts 1 and 2, Wren investigated the state of court-appointed capital representation in Harris County—the death penalty capital of the world. The first report delves into…
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Gideon Turns 60: Schuylkill County, PA
In “Under-resourced And Ignored: Indigent Defense in Schuylkill County,” Wren investigated indigent defense in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The report found major deficiencies, which are likely replicated across rural Pennsylvania and…
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Gideon Turns 60: Gwinnett County, GA
In “Restoring and Rebuilding: Indigent Defense in Gwinnett County,” Wren investigated indigent defense in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The report found that lawyers have excessive caseloads that prevent them from providing…
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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Shadow Immigration Forces Threaten Police Reforms
As immigration raids sweep across the country, many of us are watching ICE and CBP agents act like a shadow police force. Agents appear free to harass anyone who happens…
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The Resurgence of the Death Penalty
As recently as last year, the death penalty was in serious decline in the United States. Federal and state executions were at an all time low and public support for…
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In A Democracy, Dissent Is Not Terrorism
In this newsletter, we explore how the Trump administration and state leaders are criminalizing dissent by weaponizing the DOJ, ICE, and other law enforcement tools at their disposal. We highlight…
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