Jails and Prisons

A man holds a sign reading

In the US, Mental Health Treatment Can Be a Death Sentence In the US, Mental Health Treatment Can Be a Death Sentence

Deploying the language of “helping” those in need, policymakers are reaching not for a Band-Aid but a club.

Feb 6, 2024 / Mattea Kramer and Dr. Sean Fogler

The bond office at Division 5 of the Cook County Department of Corrections is empty on Sept. 18, 2023, in Chicago.

Jails Are Closing Across America. Why? Jails Are Closing Across America. Why?

Communities all over the country are shutting their jails. Sometimes this is because of victories like bail reform. But foes of mass incarceration don’t always benefit.

Jan 22, 2024 / Brian Dolinar

Guantánamo Bay

Guantánamo Is 22 Years Old. It’s Time to Retire. Guantánamo Is 22 Years Old. It’s Time to Retire.

Though its anniversary may go unnoticed, it’s still here—a dark and shameful continuation of the War on Terror.

Jan 12, 2024 / Karen J. Greenberg

Protesters hold banners in support of Julian Assange at Belmarsh Prison on May 12, 2022, in London, England.

A Visit to Belmarsh Prison, Where Julian Assange Awaits His Final Appeal Against Extradition to the US A Visit to Belmarsh Prison, Where Julian Assange Awaits His Final Appeal Against Extradition to the US

The Wikileaks founder says he fears his own imprisonment, US government surveillance, and restrictions on the group’s funding have effectively scared off potential whistleblowers....

Jan 2, 2024 / Charles Glass

Holly Maguigan stands at a podium smiling, giving a speech.

When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law

Her work forced the law to embrace a feminist conception of danger, threat, and defending yourself and your family.

Dec 14, 2023 / Katherine Franke

mural depicting the Australian activist Julian Assange, by street artist Trisha Palma, in the Scampia neighborhood of Naples.

Biden Is Overseeing the Silent Death of the First Amendment Biden Is Overseeing the Silent Death of the First Amendment

By continuing the persecution of Julian Assange, the US government is signaling how little it cares about press freedom.

Dec 8, 2023 / Yanis Varoufakis, Lina Attalah, and John Kiriakou

US-Mexico Border

Biden’s Supposed “Open-Border Policy” Does Not Exist Biden’s Supposed “Open-Border Policy” Does Not Exist

Just a glance at 2023 border contracts suggests that more walls, detention centers, and expulsion flights are coming.

Nov 22, 2023 / Todd Miller

Protesters chant during a rally in Ramallah city in the occupied West Bank, in support of Gaza and of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, on November 14, 2023.

The War on Palestinian Political Prisoners The War on Palestinian Political Prisoners

The number of Palestinians in detention has soared since October 7. It’s a part of Israel’s strategy of control that cannot be ignored.

Nov 20, 2023 / Basil Farraj

lavette mayes posing outside of her home

How We Ended Cash Bail in Illinois How We Ended Cash Bail in Illinois

Lessons from a successful struggle.

Nov 15, 2023 / Will Tanzman

Atlanta Stop Cop City Youth Movement

Atlanta’s “Stop Cop City” Movement Is Youth-Led Democracy in Action Atlanta’s “Stop Cop City” Movement Is Youth-Led Democracy in Action

“When we can’t trust our leaders, regardless of political party, to exercise their power for our betterment, we the people have the power to do something about it.”

Nov 14, 2023 / StudentNation / Hunter Buchheit

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