Prison reform

How a Series of Jail Rebellions Rocked New York—and Woke a City

How a Series of Jail Rebellions Rocked New York—and Woke a City How a Series of Jail Rebellions Rocked New York—and Woke a City

It has been nearly 50 years since New York’s jails erupted in protest, but the lessons of that era feel more relevant than ever.

Mar 21, 2019 / Feature / Heather Ann Thompson

Metropolitan Detention Center

For Criminal Justice Reform, the First Step Act Is Just the Start For Criminal Justice Reform, the First Step Act Is Just the Start

Progressives should seize on the law’s momentum and help it grow.

Feb 12, 2019 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

California Prisons Health Care

‘You’re Going to Let Me Die From This’: Prisoners Fight to Access a Hepatitis-C Cure ‘You’re Going to Let Me Die From This’: Prisoners Fight to Access a Hepatitis-C Cure

Inmates are being denied treatment, and it’s creating an epidemic.

Jan 25, 2019 / Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg

A guard tower at Corcoran State Prison

‘You Guys Are Coming Home’ ‘You Guys Are Coming Home’

Sentenced to life in prison without parole as teenagers, these inmates never thought they’d be free—now they’re preparing for a life outside.

Jan 9, 2019 / Katya Cengel

john-pace-juvenile-lifers

John Pace and His Friends Expected to Die in Prison John Pace and His Friends Expected to Die in Prison

Then the men, who’d been sentenced to life as juveniles, were freed.

Nov 16, 2018 / Katie Rose Quandt

Prison library

Shining a Light on Life Behind Bars Shining a Light on Life Behind Bars

In letters compiled by the American Prison Writing Archive, inmates share accounts of suicide, friendship, and solitary confinement.

Nov 12, 2018 / Ella Fassler

NYC Bail Reform

Here’s How to Help End Cash Bail Here’s How to Help End Cash Bail

Every day in this country, hundreds of thousands of legally innocent people sit behind bars simply because they cannot afford bail.

Oct 25, 2018 / Emmeline Clein

Jail Cell Madison

Rethinking Prison, From the Inside Out Rethinking Prison, From the Inside Out

Changing the institutional culture of incarceration could entail a social consensus that locking people up is never the ideal way to resolve social problems.

Oct 16, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Rikers Island Complex

NYC Prosecutors Are Stoking Fear About the Mass Bailout, but Their Arguments Don’t Add Up NYC Prosecutors Are Stoking Fear About the Mass Bailout, but Their Arguments Don’t Add Up

District attorneys’ comments belie the true purpose of bail in New York and ignore the safety risks of jail itself.

Oct 2, 2018 / John Pfaff

To Fight Mass Incarceration, We Need to Decriminalize Trauma

To Fight Mass Incarceration, We Need to Decriminalize Trauma To Fight Mass Incarceration, We Need to Decriminalize Trauma

At Homeboy Industries, career, education, and mental-health services are creating a way out of poverty and violence.

Aug 20, 2018 / Robert Greenwald

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