Jan 10 Watch 5:30 Mississippi inmate deaths expose a corrections system in crisis In a single week, five people incarcerated in Mississippi jails have died at the hands of other inmates. The deaths have highlighted a system in dire condition, suffering from staffing problems and deteriorating facilities. Jerry Mitchell, founder of the Mississippi… Continue watching
Jan 02 4th Mississippi inmate dies from prison violence in a week By Jeff Amy, Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press The violence comes even as a federal judge has rejected claims that conditions in one Mississippi prison are unconstitutionally harsh. Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 6:38 For-profit prisons reap business benefit from Trump’s immigration stance A new investigation reveals the rapid growth of for-profit prisons being used to house immigrants. While the phenomenon has generated tremendous revenue for the industry, it has also resulted in hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and mistreatment in those… Continue watching
Dec 10 Watch 8:36 In Maryland, many juvenile offenders languish in prison without parole By John Yang Nearly a year ago, President Trump signed a bipartisan federal criminal justice reform bill that reduced mandatory sentences. Many states followed suit -- but not Maryland. In collaboration with the University of Maryland’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, John Yang… Continue watching
Nov 04 More than 400 inmates released from Oklahoma prisons By Associated Press State officials say it is the largest single-day mass commutation in U.S. history. Continue reading
Oct 11 California to end its use of for-profit prisons, including for immigrant detention By Don Thompson, Amy Taxin, Associated Press California will ban the use of for-profit, private detention facilities, including those under contract to the federal government to hold immigrants awaiting deportation hearings. Continue reading
Aug 30 Watch 3:15 A brief but spectacular take on giving incarcerated youth a voice Photographer Richard Ross has documented the U.S. juvenile justice system for the better part of a decade, producing the books “Juvie Talk” and “Girls in Justice” based on his experiences with incarcerated youth. He believes the kids he meets are… Continue watching
Aug 27 Now free from legal limbo, Meek Mill eyes prison reform By Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press The negotiated plea comes after an appeals court threw out his conviction last month over doubts about the arresting officer's credibility. The 32-year-old rapper, born Robert Williams, is now free of a criminal justice system he hopes to reform. Continue reading
Jul 22 3 innovative ways former inmates are getting help to restart their lives By Rebecca Oh Most people who are released from prison are arrested again, but nonprofits are trying to combat that by helping former inmates get back on their feet. Continue reading
Jun 06 Leaders of white supremacist prison gang charged in killings By Don Thompson, Associated Press A total of 16 Aryan Brotherhood members and associates are accused of running the criminal enterprise using contraband cellphones, encrypted chats, text messages, multimedia messages and email. Continue reading