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American Prison

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Two guards walk toward the entrance to San Quentin State Prison during a media tour of California's Death Row in San Quentin

Nation Mar 17

California to remake San Quentin prison, new focus on rehabilitation

By Janie Har, Associated Press, Sophie Austin, Associated Press/Report for America

Nation Apr 13

A guard tower is seen during a media tour of California's Death Row at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, California
Watch 5:39
PBS NewsHour documentary explores the challenges of life after incarceration

More than 70 million Americans have an arrest or criminal record that in many cases prevent them from getting housing, work and reconnecting with their families after incarceration. Those challenges are the subject of a NewsHour documentary premiering Wednesday on…

By Amna Nawaz, Frank Carlson, Mike Fritz

Nation Apr 10

Administrative segregation prisoners take part in a group therapy session at San Quentin state prison
Watch 5:54
PBS NewsHour documentary spotlights the struggles facing the formerly incarcerated

For the past few years, the NewsHour has been reporting on issues facing the formerly incarcerated, like getting a job, housing and healthcare. Next week those issues are front and center in a PBS NewsHour documentary called “Searching for Justice:…

By Amna Nawaz, Mike Fritz, Frank Carlson, Claire Mufson

Nation Sep 21

backtoprison
Watch 8:13
Inmates released to home confinement during pandemic fear ‘devastating’ reincarceration

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Justice Department has released more than 30,000 non-violent inmates to home confinement to try to limit the virus' spread in prison. But, as John Yang reports for our ongoing "Searching for Justice"…

By John Yang, Mike Fritz

Nation May 28

Trump ally Stone won’t need to go to prison quarantine site

Longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone will start his prison sentence without needing to comply with a Bureau of Prisons directive that newly-sentenced inmates be sent to a quarantine site.

By Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

Feb 26

5 ways prisoners were used for profit throughout U.S. history

By Shane Bauer

"American Prison" author Shane Bauer highlights a few key moments in the history of prison-as-profit in America, drawing from research he conducted for the book.

Continue reading

Feb 18

Author Shane Bauer on being both prisoner and prison guard

By Courtney Vinopal

“Power struggles in prison are sometimes overtly violent, but mostly they are psychological and subtle,” he said.

Continue reading

Feb 10

Why the author of ‘American Prison’ embraces people’s contradictions

By Courtney Vinopal

“It will make your writing much better in the end,” says Shane Bauer.

Continue reading

Jan 29

‘American Prison’ is our February book club pick

By Courtney Vinopal

“American Prison” draws from Bauer’s own experience working undercover as a prison guard at Louisiana's Winnfield Correctional Center while on assignment as a senior reporter for Mother Jones.

Continue reading

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Full Episode
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