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 )

Prisoners Fighting Fires Are Being Denied Justice

Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan Sep 12, 2018 Joining the professional firefighting crews on the front lines of the massive California wildfires are thousands of prisoners, brought out of their jails to engage in this dangerous work, all for a dollar an hour or less. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Slaves Rebel

Chris Hedges and Mr. Fish / Truthdig Sep 3, 2018 Hundreds of prisoners across 17 states are striking over pay and horrific living conditions. Americans on the outside have a moral obligation to help them. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Illinois Cutting Solitary Confinement Time for Juveniles

Duaa Eldeib / ProPublica Oct 29, 2017 State officials heed a court order regarding the punishment and say research on the harm of isolating young offenders is too powerful to ignore. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Ordered to ‘Rehab’—in Chicken Processing Plants

By Amy Julia Harris and Shoshana Walter / Reveal Oct 4, 2017 In the push to spare convicts from prison, judges are steering some into programs that are little more than lucrative work camps for private industry. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

Striking Prisoners Are Bending the Arc of the Moral Universe Closer to Justice

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Sep 30, 2016 Right now, under some of the most repressive circumstances that exist in the United States, a national movement is growing for prisoners' rights. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Employees With Criminal Records May Be Better Workers, Studies Reveal

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2016 Multiple reports indicate that ex-offenders work harder and ascend the ranks faster than non-offenders. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Obama Isn’t Following Through on Pardons Promise, Says His Former Pardons Attorney

Staff / Truthdig Apr 3, 2016 The initiative President Obama unveiled two years ago, granting early release to potentially thousands of federal prisoners serving long sentences for low-level drug crimes, has barely made a dent. A resignation letter from the president’s recently departed pardon attorney gives at least one reason why. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘Homeboy Creative’ Showcases Poetry by At-Risk Youths and Former Gang Members (Multimedia)

Staff / Truthdig Mar 22, 2016 The nonprofit organization in Los Angeles provides hope for at-risk youths, former gang members and previously incarcerated men and women. Truthdig will be featuring writers from Homeboy Industries in a series called “Homeboy Creative.” Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pentagon Releases Almost 200 Photos of Bush-Era Military Abuse

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Feb 6, 2016 After a decade-long legal battle, the Department of Defense releases 198 photos of detainee abuse at two dozen U.S. military sites across Iraq and Afghanistan. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Most Unhappy New Year at Guantanamo

By Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan Dec 31, 2015 As the clock counts down to the new year, another clock will continue ticking, counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds since May 23, 2013, the day President Barack Obama promised to free all those prisoners at the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay who have been cleared for release. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )