Articles written about Incarceration

Trump's Pardons Reinforce the Status Quo

On Donald Trump’s last day in office, he released a list pardoning 73 individuals. Many had suspected that Trump would pardon himself or his family members; however, Charles Kushner—Ivanka Trump’s father-in-law—is the only family member to be pardoned. While in office, Trump has previously mentioned being

COVID-19

Activists Organize Rally in Michigan to Protest Inhumane Treatment of Prisoners Affected by Covid-19

With the pandemic ravaging the nation, inmates are facing significant hardship as cases within prisons continue to rise. Prisons are ill-equipped to curtail the spread of the virus. Prisons are not providing masks or proper leave for guards affected by Covid-19. The difficulty of providing quarantine for inmates has further

COVID-19

On Michigan Department of Corrections' Negligent Handling of COVID-19: A Message From Prisoner Quentin Jones

Today, on Martin Luther King Day, many of us remember the life and legacy of a man who changed the course of history. Scrolling through our feeds, one can get swept up in the social media chatter and the ubiquitous MLK quotes. MLK fought for equality, he went to jail,

Incarceration

157 Years Later, Slavery Continues Under a Different Appearance: Prison Labor

Slavery has had long a history in the United States, and while it’s believed that it was “abolished” by the 13th amendment, there is one clause that makes a major exception. The amendment prohibits slavery, “except as a punishment for crime,” wherein the issue lies. Modern-day slavery exists and

Incarceration

Michigan Department of Corrections Under Fire for Failing to Take Appropriate Measures to Combat Covid-19

The pandemic has had devastating consequences for communities, individuals, and businesses. With infections steadily on the rise within the United States, many states have issued stay-at-home orders and hospitals are overwhelmed. Incarcerated populations have been particularly adversely affected by the pandemic. Covid-Related Fatalities Within Prison Systems In 1976 William Garrison

Cannabis

"Cannabis and the Rise of the Carceral State": An Interview with Last Prisoner Project's Natalie Papillion

The Last Prisoner Project is an organization created by a group of cannabis industry leaders and artists which focuses on rectifying the devastating impacts of the war on drugs, prohibition, and incarceration. Recently, the nonprofit released a report entitled, “Criminal Justice: Cannabis and the Rise of the Carceral State.” The

Art

How Pastor Isaac Scott Uses Art to Fight Mass Incarceration

Pastor Isaac Scott spent more than a decade behind bars before becoming a multi-media visual artist and starting The Confined Arts, an organization that aims to use art for systemic change around incarceration. The group came together when Scott entered the Justice and Education Scholars program at Columbia University, but

Double Jeopardy

Sheron Edwards’ Story: The Dual Sovereignty Exception to Double Jeopardy

Double Jeopardy has long been an established principle in the American legal system however, however, loophole to this principle is the dual sovereignty exception, which allows offenders to be charged for the same crime on both state and federal levels. If, during sentencing, a judge determines that the sentences should

Activism

From Incarceration to Activism: Grace Detravarah's Battle Against the System

Self-described “rebel” Grace Detravarah ran away to New York City in 1983 – when she was 19. More than 30 years later, after growing into her trans identity and spending some years behind bars, she’s fighting the good fight and trying to make a difference in people’s lives.

Cannabis

Social Equity in the Cannabis Space: Towards Solution-Based Thinking

The more I continue to learn about cannabis (the plant itself), the more I become aware of what it can do for the world. The demand for cannabis is exponential and global. Whether legal or illegal, cannabis is grown and consumed in every country. Extensive research and the personal experiences

COVID-19

On the Need for Health Justice in the Prison System

By Shawanna Vaughn and Michelle Mason In need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant for leukemia and positive for COVID, DeReta Steverson, incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW), is still not eligible for compassionate release in California, even under the state’s much-hyped release program. Dareta

Incarceration

“Post-Traumatic Prison Disorder”: A Town Hall Discussion on Prison Reform

“You’ve been dehumanized to the point where you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin. The very people that are [supposed] to protect, serve and help you are the people that were inflicting the worst amount of harm and layered levels of trauma.” These are the words of

Hearing the Silent Cries

“I started Silent Cry out of my own silent tears.” Born to a mother incarcerated at the Corona State Prison for Women in California, Shawanna Vaughn got a taste of the world’s tainted system early. At nine years old, her father died and she lost her older brother to

JUSTICE / INJUSTICE

The NAACP Criminal Justice Factsheet states that African Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of whites, and as of 2014, African Americans constituted 2.3 million (34%) of the global correctional population. But we’re finding it is the authorities – policymakers, judges, attorneys, police officers, and