Prison

4:24pm Feb 25, 2021

Race Race Politics & Government

Cooper, N.C. Prison Officials Agree To Release 3,500 Inmates

by Associated Press

North Carolina civil rights groups struck a deal on Thursday with Gov. Roy Cooper's administration to allow for the early release of 3,500 inmates in state custody over the next six months.
Emma Peaslee / NPR

11:51am Dec 28, 2020

National National

Longtime Anti-Nuclear Activists Face Prison, Again, After Breaking Into Naval Base

by Emma Peaslee

In the midst of a pandemic that's wreaking havoc on prisons and disproportionately affects older people, activists known as the Kings Bay Plowshares have been sentenced to up to 33 months in prison.

Listen
Kim Chandler / AP

3:14pm Dec 11, 2020

National National

Alabama Vows To 'Fervently Defend' Justice Department Lawsuit Over Prison Conditions

by Debbie Elliott

State officials say they were blindsided this week by a Justice Department lawsuit alleging brutal and unconstitutional conditions in the state's prison system.
Courtesy of Bob VanSumeren

1:50pm Oct 23, 2020

National National

A High School Dropout Finds Support On Road From Prison To Law School

by Jey Born

Bob VanSumeren served nearly six years in prison for robbery. But Mike McKenney, his ex-girlfriend's dad, never gave up on him. "Your visits kept me from sinking fully into prison," VanSumeren said.

Listen
Akeil Robertson / Philadelphia District Attorney's Office

4:41pm Oct 19, 2020

National National Arts

Artist In Residence Creates Portraits Of Reform At The District Attorney's Office

by Neda Ulaby

"I've been an artist since I was a child," says James "Yaya" Hough. After serving 27 years in prison, he is now the first-ever artist in residence at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Listen
Nate Jenkins / AP

9:04pm Jul 17, 2020

National National

Justice Department Executes 3rd Federal Prisoner In A Week

by Vanessa Romo

"Nearly three decades after [Dustin Lee] Honken coldly ended the lives of five people, including two young girls ... he has finally faced justice," a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Lisa R. Cohen

5:28pm Jun 26, 2020

National National Health & Safety

Lockdown In Lockup: A Prisoner At Sing Sing On Life During The COVID-19 Crisis

Mohammed Monsuri, who is incarcerated at the New York prison, describes how he learned about the pandemic and the challenges of staying safe. The coronavirus has hit prisons across the U.S. hard.

Listen
11:57am Jun 12, 2020

Race Race Courts Crime

35 Years After Wrongful Conviction, Darryl Hunt’s Legacy Of Hope Remains

by David Ford

With thousands of young demonstrators marching in Winston-Salem to protest the police killing of George Floyd, an older generation in Winston-Salem is looking back.

Listen
Jimmy Jenkins / KJZZ

11:27am Apr 28, 2020

National National

'A Ticking Time Bomb': Advocates Warn COVID-19 Is Spreading Rapidly Behind Bars

The spread of coronavirus behind bars is likely much more rampant than what's known right now. In prisons, jails and immigration detention centers, limited testing already shows widespread infection.

Listen
Rogelio V. Solis / AP

8:23am Apr 20, 2020

National National

After Inmate Deaths, Mississippi Faces Pressure To Reform Its Prisons

by Debbie Elliott

The state of Mississippi is the subject of lawsuits and a federal investigation following the deaths of more than 30 inmates in its prison system since late last year.
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP via Getty Images

7:01pm Apr 18, 2020

National National Music & Culture

'You Just Get Written Off': One Inmate On Life On Rikers During The Pandemic

Rikers Island jail in New York City is currently in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak. Inmate Daryl Campbell is currently under quarantine and shares his experience.

Listen
4:31pm Apr 17, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

COVID-19 Outbreak At North Carolina Prison Grows To Over 250

by Associated Press

A COVID-19 outbreak at a North Carolina state prison has spread to more than 250 inmates, prison officials said Friday.