Prison Reform

Why Did a Man Starve to Death in an Arkansas Jail?

Tana Ganeva / Truthdig Jan 16, 2023 Because of multiple broken systems. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

California’s Failed Prison Reform Is Killing Inmates

Jason Pohl / The Sacramento Bee, and Ryan Gabrielson / ProPublica Apr 29, 2019 The Golden State's sweeping 2011 prison downsizing and criminal justice reforms have led to a sharp increase in inmate deaths at county jails. Dig deeper ( 19 Min. Read )

Creating a Crucial Path Forward After Prison

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Apr 13, 2019 After every system failed her, Susan Burton became the helping hand she and so many other formerly incarcerated women needed. Dig deeper ( 16 Min. Read )

Trump Says He’s Eager to Sign Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bill

KEVIN FREKING / The Associated Press Dec 19, 2018 The sweeping legislation would give judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and would boost prisoner rehabilitation efforts. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

How America Came to Have the World’s Biggest Prison Population

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Sep 28, 2018 In this week's episode, Japanese-American public defender Jeff Adachi tells how his family's past affects his present and reveals why he withdrew his support of California's new bail law. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs on His ‘Calling’ to Turn His Hometown Around

Emily Wilson / Truthdig Sep 6, 2018 The California city’s wunderkind mayor has big plans—including a basic income plan—to make good on his buzzed-about potential. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Lying With a Straight Face

Kevin Cooper / Truthdig Sep 3, 2018 Wrongly convicted prisoners assert their innocence, and research backs them up, yet some politicians and law enforcement officials continue to propagate lies and prop up an unjust system. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Man Sent Back to Prison After Receiving Commutation

Emily Wells / Truthdig Jun 1, 2018 Matthew Charles, although he committed no new crime, is back behind bars, and his case is generating a widespread demand for his release. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Trump Says He Would Sign Prison Reform Bill

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig May 21, 2018 Even as the president signals support for improvements in the federal system, the network of private prisons is continuing to expand. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Coming Collapse

Chris Hedges / Truthdig and Mr. Fish May 20, 2018 Every day the foundations of our institutions decay more, but American society is emotionally unable to grasp the mortal danger that approaches. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Prison Rights Advocates on Isolation: ‘This Is Torture’ (Video)

Staff / Truthdig and Chris Hedges Jan 23, 2018 Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges meets with ex-prisoner Ojore Lutalo and rights advocate Bonnie Kerness to discuss abuse in U.S. penitentiaries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russian Punk Band Pussy Riot Creates an ‘Immersive Theatre Project’

Emma Niles / Truthdig Jul 26, 2017 The work is part of a campaign for prison reform, band member Nadya Tolokonnikova (pictured) tells Truthdig. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )