What Really Stands in the Way of Closing Guantánamo What Really Stands in the Way of Closing Guantánamo
On his first day in the Oval Office, Obama swore he’d close Gitmo. He’s got nine months left to do it.
Apr 19, 2016 / Karen J. Greenberg
Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Need Better Answers on the 1994 Crime Bill Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Need Better Answers on the 1994 Crime Bill
At last night’s debate, Clinton offered a grudging apology for “unintended” outcomes. Sanders wasn’t pressed on his vote for it—and he should be.
Apr 15, 2016 / Joan Walsh
The Newtown Families Just Won a Big Victory in Their Fight Against Remington Guns The Newtown Families Just Won a Big Victory in Their Fight Against Remington Guns
Will the gunmaker have to pay the price for the Sandy Hook mass shooting?
Apr 14, 2016 / George Zornick
Note to Bill Clinton: There Is No Inherent Criminality Note to Bill Clinton: There Is No Inherent Criminality
At the heart of Bill Clinton’s comments about the 1994 crime bill is the belief in a natural and permanent class of criminals.
Apr 14, 2016 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Chinese Americans Want NYPD Officer Peter Liang Held Accountable, Too Chinese Americans Want NYPD Officer Peter Liang Held Accountable, Too
The historical racism directed at Chinese people is deeply felt, but the conviction of Peter Liang was never an appropriate example of systemic racism.
Apr 13, 2016 / Alex T. Tom and Alix Mariko Webb
You Either Work or You Go to Jail You Either Work or You Go to Jail
Parole and probation are trapping former prisoners in debt, forcing them to work to avoid getting locked up.
Apr 12, 2016 / Michelle Chen
Nothing About the 1994 Crime Bill Was Unintentional Nothing About the 1994 Crime Bill Was Unintentional
In the ’90s, Bill Clinton exploited fears about crime in the same way that Donald Trump uses immigration today.
Apr 11, 2016 / Bruce Shapiro
The Battle Against Prisons for Kids The Battle Against Prisons for Kids
We’re feeding children into a system that breaks them.
Apr 11, 2016 / Natasha Lennard
A Muslim Man Was Ensnared in a Terror Plot by the NYPD—He Just Attempted Suicide A Muslim Man Was Ensnared in a Terror Plot by the NYPD—He Just Attempted Suicide
Ahmed Ferhani reported abuse by prison guards after being convicted in a controversial terrorism case.
Apr 10, 2016 / Breaking News / John Knefel
From Prisoners to the President From Prisoners to the President
A collection of 2008 letters to President-elect Obama shows that even though many incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people cannot vote they do have a stake in our country.
Apr 8, 2016 / Marlon Peterson