Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

December 12, 2019

USA: the growing racial disparity in prison time

News

North America United States

A new study finds black people are staying longer in state prisons, even as they face fewer arrests and prison admissions overall.

December 12, 2019

USA: prison health care costs are higher than ever in Texas. Many point to an aging prison population.

News

North America Health United States

Although there are fewer people in prison than there were a decade ago, costs have surged along with the share of inmates who are older — and sicker.

December 11, 2019

USA: transgender inmate ruling could change prison policy

News

North America LGBTQI United States

Nevada must comply with a recent federal appeals court ruling requiring that inmates receive state-funded gender confirmation surgery.

December 11, 2019

USA: the push to rein in the $1.2bn prison phone industry

News

North America Social ties United States

Phone calls to family are vital to inmates’ morale and relationships, but many can’t afford the high rates and fees.

December 11, 2019

USA: "Capitalisme carcéral" : la prison du futur sera partout

News

North America United States

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

December 11, 2019

USA: how old is too old for prison?

News

North America United States

Last week, Illinois freed the Starved Rock killer at age 80. Is continuing to house prisoners his age an aid to public safety, or just a money suck?

December 10, 2019

USA: trans felons want lifetime ban on name change removed

News

North America LGBTQI United States

A group of transgender plaintiffs sued the state of Illinois for the right to change their legal name despite past felony convictions.

December 10, 2019

Sight — 7/12

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…

December 9, 2019

Canada: une cour ontarienne entendra une contestation judiciaire

News

North America Canada

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

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.