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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  • 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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  • 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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  • To Help Young Women in Prison, Try Dignity

    October 09, 2018 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Connecticut

    Inspired by prisons in Germany that emphasize personal dignity, Connecticut is shifting its corrections department's focus with two programs for young offenders. The one for women matches 14 inmates with older incarcerated mentors who help develop programs of classes, counseling and planning for post-release life. Officers are trained to address trauma and say they feel a new sense of purpose, but it's an expensive and labor-intensive program so it's unclear how it will fare after this pilot phase.

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  • PA Banking On New Program Providing Inmates With Financial Savvy To Succeed

    October 08, 2018 |

    WHYY |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

    Two state agencies in Pennsylvania collaborated to launch a program that trains inmates on financial literacy skills in an effort to curb recidivism. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Banking and Securities have reached more than 4,300 inmates through the classes, many of whom have been inside for years and may have never had bank accounts. Research found having a bank account is strongly correlated with not returning to prison and higher employment rates.

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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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  • County Jails Struggle To Treat Mentally Ill Inmates

    September 18, 2018 |

    Illinois Public Media |

    Radio |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Illinois

    Jails in Illinois are trying to step up screening of inmates for mental illness as part of increased efforts around the country to deal with the large numbers of people with mental health issues who are behind bars. More than 400 counties in the U.S. have joined the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce the number of people incarcerated with mental illness and connect them with services. But officials say success is contingent on reliable funding and getting rid of stigmas against mental illness.

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  • From prison to college: Consortium puts inmates in a positive ‘pipeline'

    September 15, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    Inmates who enroll in higher education programs during their sentence are 43 percent less likely to return to prison than their peers who don't, according to a study by the RAND Corporation. A consortium of Massachusetts colleges and state law enforcement agencies are taking action in light of this finding - 13 colleges will offer bachelor's degree programs to offenders either when they are in prison or once they have left.

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  • How 'the incarceration capital of America' embraced criminal justice reform

    August 31, 2018 |

    PBS NewsHour |

    Broadcast TV News |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

    After years of being the incarceration capital of America, Louisiana began changing its laws in 2017 to cut the number of people in prison, prompting a drop of seven percent in the prison population and savings of $12 million. The funds will be reinvested in education, job training and other programs in prisons and jails for those about to be released. But many challenges remain, including stigma from employers and landlords, and skepticism by the state's attorney general.

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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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