Our Bail-Bond System Is Broken

And it’s hurting society’s most vulnerable communities the most.

Michelle Chen

Jeff Sessions Is a Disgrace to the Justice Department

He didn’t just lie about Russia—he’s put the Trump administration on the wrong side of every major issue.

Ari Berman

Memo Restoring Use of Private Prisons Is Good News for One Company

There is an obvious trail from Jeff Sessions to a major contractor.

David Dayen

Obama’s DOJ Says It One More Time: Private Prisons Aren’t Working

Another audit is perhaps the final piece of official evidence countering Donald Trump’s belief in for-profit incarceration.

Seth Freed Wessler

4 Ways Cities and States Can Become Sanctuaries Now

From providing legal representation to investing in education, localities can help shield immigrants from Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda.

Daniel Altschuler and Peter L. Markowitz

5 Books You Need to Understand the Origins of Incarceration

Elizabeth Hinton

ICE Plans to Reopen the Very Same Private Prison the Feds Just Closed

Advocates cheered when the Justice Department began shuttering its private prisons. But immigration officials saw an opportunity.

Seth Freed Wessler

Why Obama Should Pardon Edward Snowden

Seth Freed Wessler on the power of independent journalism, Amy Wilentz on Jared Kushner, and Ben Wizner on Edward Snowden.

Start Making Sense and Jon Wiener

Private Prison Companies Are Embracing Alternatives to Incarceration

They’ve hijacked the language of reform—but for them, it’s still business as usual.

Joshua Holland

On Private Federal Prisons, a Victory for Independent Journalism

This victory shows that reform is still possible, citizen movements and independent journalism still matter, and decent officials can make a difference.

Katrina vanden Heuvel