Lots of notable prison news and notes as a busy month winds down
The month of June (and really all of the first half of 2023) have felt especially busy and dynamic, and I am hoping for a bit of a break as a holiday weekend and week mark the start of July. But, before the calendar turns, I thought a big round up of some notable prison stories I noticed recently — some good, some bad, some ugly — was in order. And so:
From Al Jazeera, “Solitary confinement is still widespread in US prisons and jails“
From the Alabama Political Reporter, “Another incarcerated person dies in ADOC Facility, death numbers continue to rise“
From Alaska Public Media, “Smuggling cases point to need for better drug treatment in Alaska prisons, advocates say“
From the AP, “Thousands more prisoners across the US will get free college paid for by the government“
From the Detroit News, “Michigan prisons ordered to allow faith group that believes in race separation“
From Forbes, “Bureau Of Prisons Changes In Works To Comply With First Step Act“
From GBH News, “In ‘historic’ moment, MCI-Framingham prisoners testify live at moratorium hearing“
From The Hill, “Around 760,000 people in prison will be eligible for free college with Pell Grant expansion“
From the Los Angeles Times, “California promises better care for thousands of inmates as they leave prison“
From the New York Times, “‘Man Down!’: Surviving the Texas Heat in Prisons Without Air-Conditioning“
From the Post and Courier, “‘More respectful living conditions’: Initiative at SC prisons found to reduce violence“
From the Tampa Bay Times, “People in Florida prisons will get free calls for good behavior in new program“
From the Urban Institute, “Debunking Four Myths about the Prison Building Boom Supporting Mass Incarceration“
From VTDigger, “The Deeper Dig: A spate of deaths focuses attention on Vermont prisons and the Department of Corrections“
From Wired, “Inmates Need Internet to Prepare for Life After Prison“