Prison Reform Archives - Davis Vanguard

Report Finds Rehabilitation-Focused Prison Programs Reduce Violence and Recidivism

By Leslie VillalobosMay 29, 20260 comments

A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice posits that rehabilitation-focused prison reforms can mitigate violence within correctional facilities, enhance conditions for both incarcerated individuals and staff, and decrease post-release recidivism rates. The report cites programs such as the Vera Institute of Justice’s Restoring Promise initiative and the Maine Model of Corrections, which have demonstrated reductions in violent incidents and disciplinary measures, alongside improved employment outcomes and lower recidivism rates observed in The Last Mile and Michigan’s Vocational Village programs.

Everyday Injustice Podcast Episode 332: Dr. Elizabeth Ostler Turns Family Tragedy into Theater and Advocacy

By David M. GreenwaldMay 26, 20260 comments

Dr. Elizabeth Ostler, founder of the Communal Theater Company, addressed the forthcoming theatrical production “SisterPlay,” a work directly informed by the custodial death of her sister, Lisa, at the Salt Lake County Jail. Ostler detailed the process of translating this personal experience into a dramatic narrative, emphasizing its role in public discourse regarding incarceration and medical neglect.

NY Correction Commission Expands Amid Systemic Abuse, Oversight Failures

By Ayana Cooper-StevensMay 12, 20260 comments

New York State has implemented a reform measure expanding the State Commission of Correction from three to five commissioners, a development that follows sustained advocacy for enhanced oversight of state correctional facilities amid allegations of systemic abuse, violence, and neglect.

Iowa Prison System Agrees to Reform Drug Testing, Disciplinary Procedures Following Lawsuits

By Ashley ChanMay 9, 20260 comments

The Iowa Department of Corrections has agreed to overhaul its disciplinary drug testing procedures and raise the standard of proof used in prison hearings as part of a settlement resolving multiple lawsuits, according to a press release from the ACLU of Iowa.

Prison Communication Cost Removal Improves Rehabilitation, Study Finds

By Ria BaggaMay 9, 20260 comments

A new report from Worth Rises finds that providing free phone calls in prisons and jails has saved families over $622 million, increased communication, improved rehabilitation, and facility conditions across the US.

Illinois Prison Mail Scanning Policy Draws Criticism as Ineffective and Harmful

By Kavita Boon-LongMay 4, 20260 comments

The Illinois Department of Corrections has implemented a mail-scanning policy to curb drug contraband in prisons, but critics argue that it is ineffective and harmful, as it fails to address the root causes of substance use in prisons and has not reduced drug activity.

Lawsuit Demands Air Conditioning in Texas Prisons Amid Deadly Heat

By Esteban EstradaMay 3, 20260 comments

A federal judge and advocacy groups are pushing for prisons to install air conditioning due to dangerous and potentially deadly temperatures, with temperatures reaching as high as 149 degrees, arguing that the conditions amount to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

Report: Eliminating Prison Communication Fees Benefits Families and Inmates

By Leslie VillalobosApril 30, 20263 comments

Worth Rises has released a report showing that eliminating communication fees in prisons and jails has resulted in stronger family connections, reduced financial strain, and improved reentry outcomes for incarcerated people and their loved ones.

Pressure Mounts on Legislature to Address Abuse in California Women’s Prisons

By McKenna PhillipsApril 24, 20260 comments

Survivors and advocates delivered urgent testimony during a budget hearing to address allegations of abuse, retaliation and failed oversight inside California’s women’s prisons, with demands for action and accountability.

Jennifer Doleac Says Criminal Justice Reform Must Follow Evidence, Not Assumptions

By David M. GreenwaldApril 21, 20260 comments

Economist Jennifer Doleac argues that policymakers should rely on measurable outcomes rather than assumptions when designing criminal justice reforms, and that small gains at multiple stages of the system can add up to make a significant impact.

US Criminal Justice System Urged to Rethink Aging Prisoners’ Sentences

By Kainat Basharmal, Irene LilleyApril 20, 20260 comments

The New York Times reported that older individuals are far less likely to commit crimes than younger individuals, and that the US criminal justice system should reconsider how it handles aging prisoners, as evidence suggests elderly individuals commit fewer crimes and granting clemency to elderly individuals who no longer pose a threat does not erase their crimes, but instead acknowledges that justice should remain fair and proportional over time.

Legalization without Reparations Is Theft

By Matt StoneApril 15, 20261 comments

Michael Thompson was sentenced to 25 years in prison for selling three pounds of cannabis to a police informant, while the same substance is now being sold legally in clean storefronts with credit card readers and loyalty programs, leaving those who built the industry locked out of the profits.

Alameda County Supervisors Unanimously Oppose Reopening FCI Dublin as ICE Detention Center

By Kiyana Cole, David M. GreenwaldApril 8, 20260 comments

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a resolution opposing the reopening of the former Federal Correctional Institution Dublin as a detention facility, citing environmental and safety concerns, as well as the potential for decreased trust in local institutions.

Report Details Inhumane Conditions Inside U.S. Prisons

By Claire TaggartApril 7, 20260 comments

Incarcerated individuals at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Colorado and New Jersey State Prison in Trenton face inhumane and oppressive conditions, including restricted communication, limited access to food and hygiene, and infrastructure failures.

Report Finds Federal Prison Grievance System Rejects Nearly All Medical Complaints

By Angelikka FactorMarch 27, 20260 comments

The Prison Policy Initiative report found that the federal prison grievance system overwhelmingly rejects complaints about medical care, with 98% of medical grievances filed in federal prisons being rejected between 2014 and 2024.

Brennan Center: SAVE Act May Limit Voting Access for 21 Million Americans

By Olivia GomesMarch 21, 20261 comments

The Brennan Center for Justice has released a report warning that the proposed SAVE Act could restrict voting access for millions of Americans, while also highlighting promising reforms taking place within the U.S. prison system.

U.S. Prison Reforms Aim to Reduce Recidivism and Improve Conditions

By Ava CiresiMarch 20, 20260 comments

Lawmakers and correctional leaders across the US are advancing reforms to reduce recidivism and improve prison conditions, with efforts including improving health and staff resources, increasing education and vocational opportunities, and reducing workplace violence.

Connecticut Partners with Vera Institute to Transform Prison Conditions

By Michelle GarciaMarch 15, 20260 comments

The Vera Institute of Justice has partnered with the Connecticut Department of Correction to participate in Designed for Dignity, a new initiative aimed at transforming prison environments and promoting more humane conditions for both staff and incarcerated people.

Mounting Evidence Highlights Psychological, Physical and Legal Harms of Solitary Confinement

By Liliana CiprianoMarch 13, 20260 comments

Solitary confinement is being challenged across the US due to its harmful effects on incarcerated individuals and its failure to improve prison safety, with studies and legal cases showing that it can lead to serious injury or death.

Author’s Memoir and Healing Guide Empowers Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

By Felipe Juarez MolinaMarch 10, 20260 comments

Matilde Hernandez, founder of Dare 2 Lift It, has released a new book, Beyond These Walls, which combines her personal journey through incarceration with a healing guide to help others reclaim their power and rewrite their stories.

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