Mass incarceration

Why We Need Prison Journalism More Than Ever

Why We Need Prison Journalism More Than Ever Why We Need Prison Journalism More Than Ever

If we lose incarcerated journalists, we lose a whole voice from the conversation.

Oct 25, 2024 / Christopher Blackwell and Emily Nonko

A Father's Day visit to the Joe Kegans State Jail, Sunday, June 17, 2012, in Houston, Texas.

The Invisible Labor of Women Who Love Incarcerated People The Invisible Labor of Women Who Love Incarcerated People

There are few things more important for people in prison than keeping links with the outside world. That task falls overwhelmingly to women.

Feb 19, 2024 / Rachel Zarrow and Christopher Blackwell

Hundreds of dual victims rallied to end life without the possibility of parole. Two Bills in the Pensylvania legislature, Senate Bill 942 and House Bill 135, which end Life without Parole which amount to death by incarceration, protesters rallied inside the state capitol with victims on both sides of the issue giving passionate speeches in favor of the bills in Harrisburg, PA on October 23, 2019.

It’s Known as “Death by Incarceration.” These People Want to End It. It’s Known as “Death by Incarceration.” These People Want to End It.

More people are serving life sentences without parole in Pennsylvania than almost anywhere else in America. An increasingly vocal movement is trying to change that.

Feb 9, 2024 / Victoria Law

The bond office at Division 5 of the Cook County Department of Corrections is empty on Sept. 18, 2023, in Chicago.

Jails Are Closing Across America. Why? Jails Are Closing Across America. Why?

Communities all over the country are shutting their jails. Sometimes this is because of victories like bail reform. But foes of mass incarceration don’t always benefit.

Jan 22, 2024 / Brian Dolinar

Senator Barry Goldwater, Republican nominee for the presidency, makes his formal acceptance speech as he addresses the Republican National Convention in the Cow Palace here today, July 16.

The Twisted History of the American Crime Anxiety Industry The Twisted History of the American Crime Anxiety Industry

Our political and cultural systems are obsessed with exploiting fears about crime. But it wasn’t always this way.

Nov 1, 2023 / Caleb Brennan

president joe biden and son hunter biden hug after a speech

The Real Hunter Biden Scandal The Real Hunter Biden Scandal

Joe Biden’s empathy is admirable. But it shouldn’t just be reserved for family.

Aug 18, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Melania Brown, sister of Layleen Polanco, a trans woman who died in an isolated cell in Rikers Island jail complex, and Akeem Browder, brother of Kalief Browder, who was incarcerated in Rikers as a juvenile and died by suicide following his release, during a march to demand the end of solitary confinement in New York, Monday, June 7, 2021.

How Solitary Confinement Is Used as a Weapon Against Trans People How Solitary Confinement Is Used as a Weapon Against Trans People

Incarcerated trans people say they are put into solitary confinement at highly disproportionate rates—including after being sexually assaulted.

Jul 20, 2023 / Riley Roliff

New York Police Department detectives escort Chanel Lewis, 20, from the NYPD's 107th Precinct on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Queens, NYC.

The “Disturbing” Prison Conditions Facing Chanel Lewis The “Disturbing” Prison Conditions Facing Chanel Lewis

To convict him of murder, the NYPD unlawfully used a secretive DNA lab. Now incarcerated, Lewis was reportedly confined to his cell where his toilet wasn’t functioning.

Jul 11, 2023 / Amos Barshad

A police armored vehicle patrols an intersection on August 24, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

It’s Time to End the Outrageous Militarization of America’s Police Force It’s Time to End the Outrageous Militarization of America’s Police Force

De-escalation would enhance public safety.

Feb 21, 2023 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

A prison inmate makes one of her daily allotment of six phone calls at the York Community Reintegration Center on May 24, 2016 in Niantic, Connecticut.

Even After a Landmark Bill, the Fight for Prison Phone Justice Isn’t Over Even After a Landmark Bill, the Fight for Prison Phone Justice Isn’t Over

The FCC needs to understand its landmark mission.

Feb 15, 2023 / Wanda Bertram

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