May 21 Arizona prisons ban book on black men in the justice system By Terry Tang, Associated Press Arizona has banned prisoners from reading a book that discusses the impact of the criminal justice system on black men, drawing outcry from First Amendment advocates who say the move is censorship. Continue reading
Apr 04 What’s in the DOJ’s scathing report on Alabama prisons By Rebecca Oh How enforceable any of these potential reforms outlined in the DOJ report is a crucial and unanswered question. Continue reading
Feb 04 Justice Department to investigate NYC federal jail that lost heat and power for days By Julie Walker, Associated Press Protesters have gathered outside the facility in recent days following news reports that those housed there have largely been without heat or power for the past week and also haven't been able to communicate with lawyers or loved ones. Outdoor… Continue reading
Jan 25 Watch 7:38 What’s next for popular podcast ‘Ear Hustle,’ now that co-host has left prison By Jeffrey Brown In 2017, the NewsHour reported on the first podcast produced entirely from inside of a prison. “Ear Hustle” offers a rare look at inmate experiences, from race relations to sharing a tiny cell. One of the show’s co-hosts was released… Continue watching
Sep 06 Low unemployment means a criminal record is less of a hurdle By Gretchen Frazee Instead of choosing from a glut of applicants with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, employers are being forced to consider applicants with little to no training at all, including ex-convicts. Continue reading
Aug 31 Watch 11:15 How ‘the incarceration capital of America’ embraced criminal justice reform By William Brangham, Frank Carlson For decades, the state of Louisiana has been known as the incarceration capital of America. But over the past year, the state has been trying to shed that reputation with new reforms that decrease the prison population and save money. Continue watching
May 13 For incarcerated mothers, parenting is a day-to-day struggle By Megan Thompson Twenty-four hours after giving birth to her son, Jessica Inholt was separated from him. Now, raising him is a family affair. Continue reading
May 12 Watch 11:26 In one Indiana prison, a program allows incarcerated moms to raise their newborns By Megan Thompson, Mori Rothman The U.S. incarcerates women at a higher rate than any other country and a majority of these women are mothers. Most women who are incarcerated are separated from their children, but a unique prison program at the Indiana Women’s Prison… Continue watching
Apr 16 In a Florida prison, a poet grapples with power and oppression By Corinne Segal In poet Eduardo Martinez's work, power is a trap; being ruled by it is a trap, and wielding it is, too, a dynamic that he said he confronts every day in prison. Continue reading
Jan 27 New Mexico holds hundreds of people in prison past their release date By Mary Hudetz, Associated Press Numerous states have histories of holding inmates past their expected parole dates. But in New Mexico, the problem persists despite efforts to address it. Continue reading