prisons

The Communities We’ve Built in Prison

The informal, prisoner-led writing club at South Central Correctional Facility in Tennessee has a dozen or so members. Earlier in…

July 29, 2026

Lockdowns Are a Dangerous Way for Prisons to Respond to Gang Violence

One morning in July we wake to rumors of being on lockdown, which happens at least once a month these…

July 16, 2026

AI Chatbots Bring Unexpected Business Boom to Jailhouse Lawyers

Most people in prison can’t afford a lawyer, so if they want to get back in court they need to…

June 15, 2026

Louisiana Urges More Oversight When Giving Opioid Funds Directly to Cops

Louisiana, one of only two states that distributes opioid settlement funding directly to law enforcement, is now trying to bring…

May 27, 2026

ICE Picked Him Up From Prison. Then Agents “Hounded” His Family.

[Read Part 1 of this story here]   In late 2025 Mateo* completed his 14-year sentence at South Central Correctional…

May 26, 2026

“Fresh Meat”—How Prison Punishes Child Sexual Abuse

[This article contains descriptions of physical and sexual assault.]   The scarlet letter in prison is any conviction related to…

May 20, 2026

First Analysis of Free Prison Phone Calls Shows They Reduce Violence

The first comprehensive report on the impact of offering free phone calls in United States prisons and jails shows that…

May 11, 2026

Media Fights for Access to Executions, But Not the Rest of the Prison System

In April, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily blocked a ruling that would allow journalists to witness more parts of the…

May 5, 2026

Lifers Fall Through the Cracks of the Prison Security Classification System

The Georgia Department of Corrections assigns every person in its custody a security classification: Minimum, Medium or Close. This classification…

May 4, 2026

Prison Can’t Be the New Nursing Home If It Isn’t Wheelchair-Accessible

Ralph*, one of the men incarcerated with me at South Central Correctional Facility in Tennessee, hasn’t showered in more than…

April 21, 2026