/tags/prisons prisons en-US WLRN Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:33:00 GMT /law-justice/2023-08-02/florida-prisons-are-grappling-with-oppressive-heat Corrections officials are attempting to alleviate sweltering conditions in Florida’s unairconditioned prisons, but inmate advocates say the efforts are falling short. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:33:00 GMT /law-justice/2023-08-02/florida-prisons-are-grappling-with-oppressive-heat The News Service of Florida /news/2022-08-01/with-visitsmatter-florida-families-oppose-new-rules-that-would-reduce-prison-visitations The campaign's photos on Twitter show wives, children and parents posing and smiling with inmates in blue prison uniforms. Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:43:00 GMT /news/2022-08-01/with-visitsmatter-florida-families-oppose-new-rules-that-would-reduce-prison-visitations Joe Byrnes /news/2022-06-30/overdose-deaths-behind-bars-rise-as-drug-crisis-swells Drug-related mortality rates have increased in prisons and jails even as the number of people incarcerated for drug offenses has dropped. The pandemic lockdowns on visitors didn’t eliminate the problem, showcasing that guards have been a source of the contraband. Thu, 30 Jun 2022 19:55:00 GMT /news/2022-06-30/overdose-deaths-behind-bars-rise-as-drug-crisis-swells /2022-05-31/how-the-newest-federal-prison-became-one-of-the-deadliest Federal prisoners said to be the most dangerous are sent to a special unit at an Illinois penitentiary. NPR and The Marshall Project have uncovered violence, abuse and a string of inmate deaths there. Tue, 31 May 2022 15:51:12 GMT /2022-05-31/how-the-newest-federal-prison-became-one-of-the-deadliest Christie Thompson, The Marshall Project, Joseph Shapiro /news/2022-05-12/u-s-inmates-condemned-to-die-are-spending-more-time-on-death-row Research shows the average time between sentencing and execution has increased by two-thirds in the past 20 years. Thu, 12 May 2022 14:54:53 GMT /news/2022-05-12/u-s-inmates-condemned-to-die-are-spending-more-time-on-death-row Jaclyn Diaz /news/2021-12-01/florida-prisons-are-changing-inmates-snail-mail-to-a-digital-format The Department of Corrections says the change will reduce the amount of contraband coming into prisons. Florida prisons are in the process of converting incoming snail mail to a digital-only format. Wed, 01 Dec 2021 13:15:15 GMT /news/2021-12-01/florida-prisons-are-changing-inmates-snail-mail-to-a-digital-format Gina Jordan /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-10-04/covid-precautions-put-more-prisoners-in-isolation-it-can-mean-long-term-health-woes An estimated 300,000 people were held in solitary confinement in the U.S. at the height of the pandemic. Advocates are pushing to limit the practice, citing lasting harm to prisoners' health. Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:17:50 GMT /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-10-04/covid-precautions-put-more-prisoners-in-isolation-it-can-mean-long-term-health-woes Katja Ridderbusch /news/2021-09-23/florida-prison-leaders-ask-lawmakers-to-help-overworked-and-underpaid-employees A top corrections official offered a stark picture of Florida’s prison system Wednesday, warning that lawmakers must boost salaries of corrections workers to avert a looming disaster as the system grapples with high turnover rates, dangerously low staffing levels and fatigued employees. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 17:51:51 GMT /news/2021-09-23/florida-prison-leaders-ask-lawmakers-to-help-overworked-and-underpaid-employees The News Service of Florida /news/2021-06-29/new-jersey-prisoners-will-be-placed-based-on-gender-identity-under-a-new-policy As part of civil lawsuit settlement, the New Jersey Department of Corrections has agreed to make it customary for prisoners to be assigned a prison stay in line with their gender identity. Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:48:43 GMT /news/2021-06-29/new-jersey-prisoners-will-be-placed-based-on-gender-identity-under-a-new-policy Jaclyn Diaz /news/2021-05-20/an-effort-to-help-ex-prisoners-gains-momentum-with-bipartisan-lawmakers-support The Senate and House lawmakers are reintroducing legislation to create "one stop" shops for formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce crime and keep people out of prison once they leave. Thu, 20 May 2021 16:14:39 GMT /news/2021-05-20/an-effort-to-help-ex-prisoners-gains-momentum-with-bipartisan-lawmakers-support Claudia Grisales