19 Feb Historic Winter Storm Leaves Texas Prisoners Battling Extreme Temperatures in State Prisons
Courts have repeatedly said that extreme temperatures in prisons are unlawful, but with no oversight most states have little accountability.
Prisons
19 Feb Prison Visits During COVID-19 Create Significant Problem in Containing Pandemic
Prison visits during COVID-19 are complicating efforts to reduce the virus' spread.
16 Feb Annual Prison Costs a Huge Part of State and Federal Budgets
Mass incarceration is a multifaceted issue that involves considerations including annual prison costs.
02 Feb It’s Time for the Next Step Act
Posted at 14:00h
in Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Mandatory Minimums, Prisons, Supervised Release
The First Step Act was literally that: a first step. Now that the political winds have changed, its time for the Next Step Act to become law.
26 Jan How Covid-19 Spread in the U.S. Prison System
The COVID-19 spread in the US prison system has been largely uncontrolled. Will things change in 2021 with new leadership?
26 Jan Could HR 7194 End Some Mandatory Minimums?
In 1991, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted a report to Congress calling for the abolition of mandatory minimums. We’re on the eve of the 30-year anniversary of that report. Yet we’ve made very little progress when it comes to the unfair sentencing practice.
26 Jan Unclear Biden Path for Prisons During COVID-19
The Biden Administration campaigned on addressing the COVID-19 spread in the United States. Whether his proposal will do enough is unclear.
25 Jan Constitutional Basis for Prisoners’ Privacy Rights
Everyone worries about their privacy, including prisoners. Inmates' privacy rights have their roots in several key constitutional provisions.
15 Jan Minimal Progress with Solitary Confinement in 2020
Posted at 09:47h
in Decriminalizing Mental Illness, Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Prisons
While the end of 2019 held promise for solitary confinement reform, 2020 painted a less optimistic picture.
15 Jan HR 4488 is Latest move on Solitary Confinement
Posted at 09:15h
in Decriminalizing Mental Illness, Emphasizing Rehabilitation, Ending Mass Incarceration, Prisons
The Solitary Confinement and Reform Act of 2019 seems doomed to the same fate that Richmond’s previous bills suffered. There is a clear and urgent need to establish national standards around the use of solitary confinement.