Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • How to make prisons more humane

    October 17, 2018 |

    Vox |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Bismarck, North Dakota

    A North Dakota prison looks to Norway's prison model that focuses on prisoner rehabilitation rather than punishment. By giving offenders responsibility, private space, and access to the outside world, these prisons have found lower rates of recidivism and more success with rehabilitation.

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  • In Iowa, A Commitment To Make Prison Work Better For Women

    October 17, 2018 |

    NPR |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Iowa

    At the Iowa Correctional Institution For Women officials are shifting how they deal with inmates, who have been punished at higher rates than inmates in men’s prisons for things like being disruptive. It’s part of a trend in 15 states called gender-responsive corrections that recognizes the role of trauma in many women’s lives and that they are less likely to be violent. It means more freedom to move around, no full strip searches and fewer punishments for minor violations.

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  • A small state with big ideas on rehabilitating female prisoners

    October 14, 2018 |

    Chicago Reporter |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Vermont

    Across the United States, women statistically receive a higher rate of disciplinary tickets for minor infractions compared to their male counterparts. In Vermont, however, where corrections falls under the Department of Human Services, employees of the correctional facilities are trained in gender-informed practices to better suit their responses to women and men offenders.

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  • Changing the environment in Iowa's prisons to change results for women Audio icon

    October 14, 2018 |

    Chicago Reporter |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Mitchelville, Iowa

    The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women has reformed how inmates are treated, adapting approaches informed by gender and past trauma. A new campus provides private counseling suites and a mental health unit, larger cells with light controls and a visitation area with play space and a garden so women can engage with their children. Disciplinary policies have also shifted toward building women up for returning to society rather than automatic discipline for small infractions.

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  • The Love Story that Upended the Texas Prison System

    October 11, 2018 |

    Texas Monthly |

    Multi-Media |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Texas

    An unlikely relationship between Frances Jalet, an attorney, and Fred Cruz, an inmate, led to some of the most historic rulings against the Texas Department of Corrections. Jalet became a plaintiff in one of the suits, and alongside two dozen other inmates, called the Eight Hoe squad, they drafted a lawsuit. Despite targeted attacks against Jalet and the inmates by prison leadership, they won in the courts. In 1980, a federal judge declared that the Texas Department of Corrections was operating unconstitutionally.

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  • More Women Are Behind Bars Now. One Prison Wants to Change That.

    October 09, 2018 |

    The Marshall Project |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Niantic, Connecticut

    Connecticut's WORTH program (Women Overcoming Recidivism Through Hard Work) has changed the tone of one prison where it's being tested, by giving incarcerated women the ability to craft self-help programs while treating them with an approach in short supply in American prisons: dignity. While the ultimate goal of the program is to reduce returns to prison, and the state's overall female incarceration rate, the more immediate effect of the new program is anecdotal: Prison officials and incarcerated women alike see people gaining a sense of control over their lives and planning for a healthy future.

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  • Can a Bible college in this NC prison make a difference?

    September 27, 2018 |

    The News & Observer |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Wake Forest, North Carolina

    The Field Minister Program by the College at Southeastern Baptist Seminary offers inmates inside Nash Correctional the opportunity to study ministry and ultimately be used as a tool to reduce recidivism. Inmates with long terms lead the cultural change within the prisons by helping departing inmates find jobs, mentors and communities, running their own religious services, and becoming juvenile mentors, GED tutors, hospice care workers, chaplain support, and more. Studies done on similar programs show that Bible college reduces participant misconduct by 65-80%, and many inmates share stories of success.

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  • Stripped: The Search for Human Rights in US Women's Prisons

    September 07, 2018 |

    Longreads |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Washington

    After her client and friend gets sentenced to 13 years in prison at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, Laurie Dawson, an activist, sets out to reform prison practices. With the guidance of the Bangkok Rules, an international document that outlines 70 principles meant to reform women’s prisons, Dawson sets her sight on eliminating strip searches from WCCM, and succeeds.

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  • As a teen he killed a man. A new law has given him a second chance.

    September 06, 2018 |

    The Washington Post |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

    The Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act was passed is a D.C. law that allows people who commited a crime before the age of 18 to have their sentences reduced if they’ve served at least 20 years in prison. The law was built on the idea that youth, whose brains haven’t even fully developed yet, should not receive adult sentences. ““This isn’t about giving people a slap on the wrist,” he said. “It’s about giving people consequences that are age-appropriate.”

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  • Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

    August 29, 2018 |

    WhoWhatWhy |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

    A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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