The first time I visited my brother in jail was on his 21st birthday. My dad and I had done video calls with him throughout the year, but there was a difference between seeing someone through a screen and seeing them in person. The post My First Jail Visit to My Brother Came on His 21st Birthday appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
Prisoners wait in line for everything from meals to mail. The post Living and Dying in Prison appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
Twice a year, in the chapel at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama, we hold memorial services for those who have passed away inside the facility. The post In One Alabama Prison, the Dead Are Honored Through an ‘Outmate’ Memorial Service appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
"C4, lock down!" On a compound with almost 1,300 women, we hear this command often because of perpetual staff shortages. But that night the officer was sending us to our cells not because there was no officer for our unit, but because he'd found a girl out of bounds. The post Lockdowns Occur Far Too Often in This Federal Prison appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
In Idaho state prisons, a certain percentage of the cost of every commissary purchase and phone call goes into the inmate management fund. This percentage is based on contract agreements with commissary and communications vendors such as Keefe and IC Solutions. The post A Prison Fund Is Supposed to Benefit Incarcerated People in Idaho. Has That Changed? appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
I may be in prison, but I am also a personal chef, with access to choice meats, a full pantry and a large spice rack. In the past week, I've cooked tender baby back ribs, chicken piccata and beef kofta. And I regularly bake gourmet desserts, including souffles and cheesecakes. The post The Most Coveted Job in the Michigan Prison System appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
There’s a common misconception that education in prison is free. I’ve heard this from staff at my prison, South Woods State Prison in New Jersey. Some staff have paid for higher education for themselves or their children, or have been priced out of doing so, and they resent the idea that I and my peers are possibly getting free rides. The post I Don’t Pay Tuition in Prison, but My College Education is Not Free appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
Every morning, I toss a large handful of dry oatmeal flakes onto the prison's recreation yard to feed the animals. The post A Toss of Oatmeal Draws a Feeding Frenzy at This Idaho Prison appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
Brad Pitt’s character, Tyler Durden, said it best in the cult classic movie “Fight Club”: “The things you own end up owning you.” A film that critiques the grip of consumerism and materialism has proved true at my Pennsylvania prison, the State Correctional Institution at Frackville. The post Our Monthly Prison Cable Bill Just Rose by $5. Many Can’t Afford It. appeared first on Prison Journalism Project.| Prison Journalism Project
The prison population in Idaho often has to rely on deficient and delayed medical care.| Prison Journalism Project
The plan would make it so that every living unit has air conditioning by 2032.| Prison Journalism Project
Stacy helped me overcome my long-time fear of dogs.| Prison Journalism Project
Our newsmagazine was founded at this Washington state prison after a spate of suicides.| Prison Journalism Project
Incarcerated people making 35 cents an hour face challenges budgeting for commissary items when prices increase 88%.| Prison Journalism Project
Many people have not liked the healthier food. Much of it goes uneaten and is thrown away.| Prison Journalism Project