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Jail Voting Soars in Colorado After State Mandates Polling Places in County Lockups

Alex Burness

March 04, 2025 |

Bolts |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

After Colorado passed a state law requiring all jails to create in-person polling places for incarcerated voters, the number of ballots cast from county jails rose from 231 in 2022 to more than 2,300 in 2024.

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'Running to danger and saving lives': 1,100 incarcerated firefighters are on the LA frontlines

Sam Levin

January 15, 2025 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

California's incarcerated firefighter programs offer meaningful benefits to some inmates, such as the ability to leave the traditional prison environment, get meaningful training, and have sentences shortened in exchange for service. However, low wages and stigmas leave many appealing for program improvement.

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This Pennsylvania County Wiped Out Millions in Jail Debt

Alex Burness

January 15, 2025 |

Bolts |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In 2022, the Dauphin County Commissioners voted to eliminate “pay-to-stay” fees that meant people incarcerated in the county jail were often saddled with debt upon their release, regardless of the outcome of their trial. In September 2024, the commissioners also voted to forgive past debt accrued under the pay-to-stay policy, providing $66 million in relief for formerly incarcerated individuals, giving them a better chance at getting back on their feet post incarceration.

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The Michigan Jail that Candidates Keep Visiting

Alex Burness

November 26, 2024 |

Bolts |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Flint, Michigan

Michigan’s Genessee County jail employs two formerly incarcerated organizers who help people detained there register to vote, cast their ballots, and access resources about pivotal election measures. They also coordinate forums with political candidates for offices ranging from the Michigan Supreme Court to the Flint City Council.

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Advocates are working to increase incarcerated voter engagement in San Diego. Here's how:

Katy Stegall

November 01, 2024 |

KFMB-TV |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

In San Diego County, Pillars of the Community trained people incarcerated in local jails to become “inside organizers” who can help others incarcerated there register to vote and fill out their ballots. In all, seven inside organizers helped roughly 230 people register to vote ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

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Voting access expands for Nashville jail inmates

Steven Hale

October 22, 2024 |

Nashville Banner |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

To improve voter access for people in jail, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office hired an election worker to comb through county records and identify incarcerated people who are registered to vote. The staffer then went from pod to pod in the jail to deliver absentee ballot request forms and give others an opportunity to register. In all, 70 people were able to request their absentee ballots.

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Work expands to prevent opioid overdoses for people leaving prison

Anne Blythe, Rachel Crumpler

July 30, 2024 |

North Carolina Health News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Research has found that providing medications for opioid use disorder can help prevent overdoses after release from prison. The state’s Department of Adult Correction recently launched a pilot program to test this theory. 229 of the 287 participants received treatment, several of whom said the access to the medications helped save their lives.

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For Some Wyoming Inmates, Prison Is Their Best Shot At Education

Jen Kocher

July 28, 2024 |

Cowboy State Daily |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Wyoming

The University of Wyoming’s Pathways from Prison program uses federal Pell Grant money and private donations to fund college education for inmates. The program offers four-year degrees and aims to provide them with the skills, tools and knowledge to reenter society in a positive way. Studies show educational programs decrease recidivism rates by 14.8%, and those participating in the program say their self-worth and sense of hope have significantly increased.

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Incarcerated trans women won sweeping prison reforms in Colorado. It could be a model for other states.

Candice Norwood, Orion Rummler

April 25, 2024 |

The 19th |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Case lawyers for a lawsuit filed in 2019 worked with Colorado officials to create a settlement with a legally binding agreement that requires the state to make its prisons safer for transgender women and provide medical care to all transgender people who are incarcerated.

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California to expand re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Here's how they work

Levi Sumagaysay

April 24, 2024 |

CalMatters |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

California is shifting to expand programs that help give incarcerated people the skills and knowledge they need to effectively transition back into society. Various re-entry programs for men and women across the state that connect people with education and job resources helped dropped recidivism rates from 44.6% to 41.9%, based on the state’s most recent data, and also cost taxpayers less than the average cost of incarceration.

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