Incarceration series includes female inmates but doesn't tell full story
The documentary series Justice, USA on Tennessee's criminal justice system fell short of expectations.
The series attempted to offer a comprehensive view of various aspects of the criminal justice system, including prisons, mental health, addiction, and incarceration effects. [ more ]
Hayward man gets 30 months for possessing gun during shootout
D'Monieya Deshaun Green sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for firing back at an assailant in 2022.
Despite surviving multiple shootings, Green is determined to break the cycle of gun possession and incarceration and be present in his son's life. [ more ]
Dear Abby: She wants my husband to go to the concert with her, but not me
Communication is key in handling complex family dynamics like stepdaughter's exclusion from events and boyfriend's incarcerated brother's upcoming release. [ more ]
My Mother's Letters Should Belong to Me - Not a Company That Works With Prisons
JPay's messaging system captures and stores intimate details of incarcerated individuals' lives, raising questions about future access to these records post-release. [ more ]
He got a college degree in prison. Now he's off to a prestigious law school
McKinley, after being in prison for over two decades, is now preparing to study at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, the first from the Northwestern University's Prison Education Program to be accepted into any law school.
Northwestern University's Prison Education Program (NPEP) provides educational opportunities, including bachelor's degrees, to incarcerated individuals, with McKinley being part of the groundbreaking inaugural class. [ more ]
Opinion: Why is California still paying for prisons it doesn't need?
Despite a decline in the incarcerated population and rising costs, Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized billion-dollar raises for corrections officers and additional funding for prison buildings.
Efforts to address the issue, such as prison realignment and releasing thousands of inmates during the pandemic, have not solved the systemic problems and wasteful spending endemic to California prisons. [ more ]
Woodhull Hospital Exhibition Showcases Art From Detainees on Rikers Island
NYC Health + Hospitals is hosting an exhibition showcasing creative works by individuals detained on Rikers Island alongside selections from its art collection.
The exhibition highlights the therapeutic benefits of the Creative Arts Therapy program and showcases the creativity and resilience of the participants. [ more ]
I am a trans man incarcerated in a woman's prison where feminism is a four-letter word
The existing structures of feminism in Texas face challenges due to conservative and Confederate ideals, impacting marginalized groups like transgender inmates. [ more ]
We must never stop fighting for incarcerated trans folks
Transgender individuals in prison face unique challenges and discrimination due to a lack of acceptance and understanding from both inmates and prison staff.
Transgender people are overrepresented in the correctional system and face a lack of access to affirming healthcare.
The criminal justice system does not adequately accommodate the medical needs of transgender individuals. [ more ]
Brooklyn Public Library's Rikers Outreach Worker Wins Pulitzer
Illustrator Medar de la Cruz received the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for his work depicting the significance of books for incarcerated individuals. [ more ]
Nicole Glasgow started a podcast showcasing the struggles of mothers with incarcerated children, highlighting the lack of communities catering to their specific experiences. [ more ]
Always a bed in prison': Australia's housing crisis blamed for rise in unsentenced prisoners
The number of Indigenous inmates imprisoned without a sentence increased by 13.2% last year in Australia.
The rise in unsentenced prisoners is attributed to factors such as the housing crisis and culturally challenging bail laws impacting First Nations people. [ more ]
A prison art show at Lincoln's Cottage critiques presidents' penal law past
The Prison Reimagined: Presidential Portrait Project exhibition showcases artwork by incarcerated artists critiquing the U.S. justice system.
Caddell Kivett, an incarcerated artist, was inspired by Amanda Gorman's poem during President Biden's inauguration to challenge the idea of justice in America through art. [ more ]
Food Insecurity in Prison Makes People Like Me Vulnerable to Labor Exploitation
Food waste was a significant issue in Georgia prisons, causing incarcerated individuals to try to smuggle food back to their cells.
The quality and quantity of food in Georgia prisons has deteriorated over the years, with small portions, poorly cooked meals, and unsanitary conditions. [ more ]
College's program takes education behind bars. Why it's recognized as a model for California
Lance Stark found his path to college and personal growth through Columbia College's Rising Scholars program while incarcerated.
Columbia College's Rising Scholars program is part of a larger network of 59 community colleges in California that aim to improve education programs for incarcerated individuals. [ more ]
At Stateville maximum security prison, first group of prisoners earns college degrees from Northwestern: 'A place of second chances'
The Northwestern University Prison Education Program is the country's only bachelor's degree-granting program for incarcerated students offered by a top 10 university.
Experts believe that offering educational programs in prisons can reduce recidivism rates and save taxpayers money. [ more ]
When new Miami center opens, arrestees with mental illness can be treated, not jailed
Miami-Dade County plans a center to treat mental illness instead of incarcerating individuals, which would be a pioneering initiative in the nation.
The planned Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery faces significant bureaucratic delays and is expected to open about 20 years after it was first promised. [ more ]
'Daughters' Review: A Father-Daughter Dance in Jail Backdrops a Moving Documentary About the Inhumanity of America's Prison System
"Daughters" is a moving documentary that explores the impact of the prison system on the relationships between fathers and their daughters.
The film challenges the idea that broken families are an inevitable consequence of incarceration and highlights the importance of maintaining family connections for prisoners' rehabilitation. [ more ]
Jeffery M. Leving: Illinois should emulate Massachusetts and make prison calls free
Massachusetts becomes the fifth state to make prison and jail calls free, making communication more accessible for incarcerated individuals and their families.
The high cost of jail and prison calls creates barriers for incarcerated individuals to communicate regularly with their families, causing harm to both the incarcerated individual and their family members. [ more ]