Incarceration Archives

News in Brief

How Bureaucrats Stand in the Way of Releasing Elderly and Ill Prisoners

The Department of Justice has expanded eligibility for compassionate release. But whether that means more inmates are let out early depends on the “compassion” of prison officials.

Christie Thompson

News in Brief

Why Don’t We Just Shoot Condemned Inmates?

If we’re going to kill people, there's only one good way to do it.

Vince Beiser

News in Brief

Sentenced to Die in Prison for Stealing Tools?

Why are more than 3,000 inmates serving life without parole in state and federal prisons across the United States for non-violent offenses?

Vince Beiser

News in Brief

Kidnappers Are the Most Likely to Kill Themselves Behind Bars

Committing suicide while locked up is much less common than it used to be, but Ariel Castro's crimes put him in the group most likely to off themselves.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

The Reasons Behind the Slow Pace of Executions

Opponents of the death penalty have hit upon an effective tactic: Learn who is making the lethal drugs used in executions and publicly shame them. Now, death penalty states are fighting to make the names of the drugs a state secret.

Raymond Bonner

Social Justice

Tribal Communities Explore Creative Alternatives to Incarceration

From elder meetings to equine therapy, programs focusing on healing are found to be cheaper and more effective than jail time.

Lauren Kirchner

News in Brief

Convict Commodification

Why incarceration should be just one of many strategies helping neighborhoods that produce bumper crops of crooks.

Michael Todd