Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

December 5, 2019

USA: helping women exit the prison system

News

North America Women United States

“We think that individuals are ‘bad’ people instead of understanding that the system doesn’t create an environment for them to flourish once they leave prison”

December 3, 2019

USA: what happens when prison "lifers" get a chance at healing and redemption?

News

North America United States

In California, a prison program run by people once sentenced to life shows how even the most serious offenders are more than the worst things they’ve done.

December 2, 2019

USA: the rising rates of women in prison is an epidemic

News

North America Women United States

Women are the fastest-growing population of inmates in the United States. And what they’re being sentenced for may surprise you.

November 28, 2019

United States of America: cheese on a trap

Testimonial

North America Long-term prisoners Justice Drugs United States

Qwantay will be released in 2034. Prison Insider asked him what his first day in prison was like. This is what he told us.

November 25, 2019

USA: how this prison collaborated on a larger-than-life work of art

News

North America United States

French artist JR worked with California prisoners to create his latest installation.

November 20, 2019

USA: former inmate alleges misuse of specialized New York prison cell

News

North America United States

The secure room, which has no running water and no bathroom facility, is used by prison staff to monitor the bowel movements of inmates suspected of hiding contraband in their body cavities.

November 19, 2019

USA: les gardiens de prison de Jeffrey Epstein inculpés

News

North America United States

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 19, 2019

USA: Artist JR teamed up with current and former inmates to create a mural at a supermax prison outside LA

News

North America Mental health United States

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 15, 2019

USA: the battle for voting rights in the age of mass incarceration

News

North America United States

Ex-prisoners are getting their voting rights back. But the backlash has already started.

November 12, 2019

USA: Oklahomans launch new petition to reduce prison population

News

North America United States

A group working to reduce Oklahoma’s prison population launched an initiative petition on Tuesday that could lead to the release of hundreds more inmates.

November 11, 2019

USA: prison inmates gain life skills through training dogs

News

North America United States

Thousands have come through the gates of the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. But what happens when they walk out? The prison has dozens of programs meant to help the inmates become valued members of society. One program – involving dogs – is called the Prison Trained K-9 Companion Progr…

November 10, 2019

Taste — 6/12

Inside Outside

North America South America Women Asia Europe Long-term prisoners

Each month, the photographer Bertrand Gaudillère creates an image or chooses one from his archives. Prison Insider sends it to a dozen participants, prisoners around the world.They are in Argentina, in the United States of America, in France, in Switzerland, in Guatemala, in Ukraine, in Colombia, i…

November 5, 2019

USA: life after prison, on YouTube

News

North America United States

Christina Randall wanted to become a social worker once she got out of jail. She didn’t expect to reach so many people.

November 4, 2019

USA: more than 450 Oklahoma inmates exit prison as part of mass commutation

News

North America United States

More than 450 inmates walked out the doors of prisons across Oklahoma on Monday as part of what state officials say is the largest single-day mass commutation in U.S. history.

November 3, 2019

Canada: barring federal inmates access to clean needles in prison is unconstitutional, say activists

News

North America Canada

Correctional Service of Canada has long tried to keep drugs out of prisons, but recognizes that contraband inevitably finds its way to inmates.

October 31, 2019

USA: prison strip searches are not only inhumane—they cost taxpayers $300 million

News

North America United States

In addition to being inhumane, strip searches are expensive and waste a ton of taxpayer money. They are also disproportionately ineffective, according to research.

October 31, 2019

USA: moving from prison to a PhD

News

North America United States

Nature spoke to three US researchers who have built academic careers after they were released.

October 31, 2019

United States of America: fighting through the noise

Testimonial

North America Long-term prisoners Justice United States

Kyle H. has been incarcerated since 2001 and is serving a life sentence.He tells Prison Insider how his days go by.

October 27, 2019

USA: prisons are not the answer to preventing crime

News

North America United States

Each day in the United States and Canada, it seems like the news media reports another shooting or act of violence that ends in tragedy. As a result, politicians and the public often leap to the conclusion that violence is on the rise and that the answer is to throw more people behind bars.

October 23, 2019

USA: Alabama criminal justice panel gets look inside Holman prison

News

North America United States

A group appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to help solve Alabama’s prison problems toured Holman Correctional Facility today, a prime example of the state’s crowded, understaffed, and violent prisons.

October 22, 2019

USA: N.J. must do more to help people after they leave prison, new report says

News

North America United States

The group, formed last year by the Legislature and co-chaired by former Gov. Jim McGreevey, recommended 100 changes to New Jersey’s criminal justice system to ease the path out of prison.

October 17, 2019

United States of America: an average day at the joint

Testimonial

North America United States

Qwantay has been incarcerated for 16 years and will be released in 2034. He describes what a day in prison is like.

October 11, 2019

USA: California now has the nation’s strictest private prison ban

News

North America United States

The law prohibits any for-profit lockups—including immigration detention centers.

October 11, 2019

USA: how a prison play goes on Tour (photos)

News

North America United States

Thirty Colorado inmates staged “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” for nearby prisons. For some, it was the first time in years they were outside 20-foot walls and razor fences.