Prison Reform

Justice Remains Elusive for the Wrongfully Convicted in Michigan

Anna Clark / ProPublica Jan 4, 2024 The state can provide the wrongfully convicted compensation of $50,000 for each year of incarceration, but the law’s narrow criteria and confusion over eligibility leave former prisoners facing another system that seems stacked against them. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )

Prison Reform

Incarceration Rates for Black Americans Decline

Candice Norwood / The 19th Nov 1, 2023 Reform efforts have clearly helped but the imprisonment rate among Black people remains the highest, and researchers say political trends may put progress in "jeopardy." Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Women

California’s Broken Promises to Survivors of Forced Sterilization

Shefali Luthra / The 19th Sep 6, 2023 The state has only approved compensation to 101 people, though hundreds more are believed to be eligible. The deadline to apply comes this December. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Opinion

Reversing the Devastating Impacts of Cannabis Criminalization

Peter Grinspoon / Yes! Magazine Jun 22, 2023 We need to end the prison sentences of everyone with nonviolent cannabis charges—they never should have been incarcerated in the first place. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Truthdiggers

Jason Walker: A Muckraker on the Inside

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2023 Incarcerated for 15 years, he has been risking his life to report on conditions in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, from his cell. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Ear to the Ground

The Fight to Stop Cop City

Staff / Truthdig Mar 13, 2023 This Tuesday, March 14, Haymarket Books hosts a discussion with four scholar-activists of the carceral state to discuss the movement to Stop Cop City in Georgia’s Weelaunee Forest. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

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 ( 15 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 )