Prison Oversight

Op-ed | California Promised Miguel Rivera a Root Canal. The Prison Gave Him a Choice: Lose the Tooth or Fight Back

By Casey OlsonJuly 14, 2026

An inmate at Folsom State Prison, Miguel Rivera, was reportedly misinformed by a dental provider regarding the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) coverage for root canal procedures. This incident underscores persistent concerns regarding systemic medical neglect and the efficacy of the grievance resolution process within the state’s correctional facilities.

Katal Center Urges State Commission to Investigate Medical Neglect in New York Prisons

By Barbara KayJune 25, 2026

Advocacy organizations have formally urged New York’s State Commission of Correction to implement immediate measures addressing a reported crisis of medical neglect and preventable deaths within state correctional facilities. This appeal follows a documented surge in mortality rates, with 77 deaths recorded in New York prisons by June 1, 2026, representing the highest figure for that period in six years. Critics assert the commission has demonstrably failed to fulfill its statutory oversight responsibilities.

New York Prison Deaths Reach Six-Year High; State Oversight Funding Cut

By Shreya VermaMay 18, 2026

New York’s prison system faces escalating unrest and its highest death rates in six years, prompting renewed calls for Governor Kathy Hochul to fully fund and staff state prison oversight agencies. The Hochul administration has proposed a $3 million funding cut for the Correctional Association of New York, a constitutionally authorized oversight body, while the State Commission on Correction remains non-functional due to the absence of gubernatorial appointments for new commissioners. Advocates warn these actions undermine critical oversight functions and accountability within the state’s correctional facilities.