November 21, 2024
The telephone for us is a convenience, but for an inmate, it's a lifeline. Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to implement new regulations aimed at stopping price gouging inmates on phone and video calling services in prisons and jails.
November 7, 2024
Indiana's longest-serving female prisoner, Sarah "Cindy" White has been in prison 48 years for starting a fire that killed a family of six on New Year's Eve in 1975. The Indianapolis Star, numerous television shows, and digital media have all featured her sad case, in spite of the fact that she admitted starting the fire. Why?
October 21, 2024
With about 24,000 inmates in Indiana prisons, the difference between national findings of 40% and IDOC findings of 23%, may indicate that there could be more than 4,000 inmates with unrecognized mental illness who are not being treated...
October 7, 2024
The historic COVID lockdown that seemed like a good idea, was not good in so many ways. But it revealed an unexpected result that may have saved some kids, and reminded parents of the power they wield.
September 20, 2024
The number of women held in Indiana jails has grown exponentially in the last several decades. Since 1980 to 2015 the numbers have increased by 1,492%, and the female prison population in Indiana through 2017 increased by 1,012%.
September 6, 2024
It shouldn't surprise anyone that most of those leaving incarceration don't have a dependable car at their disposal. The van program fills that important gap between the jobless reentrant, and the successful employee. Without that important link, too many people will never be connected to a long term job that can keep them from returning to prison and jail.
August 21, 2024
There is a very real revolving door from poverty to incarceration. Incarceration in turn, exacerbates poverty and its relatives: Food insecurity, homelessness, and the destruction of the family unit. Let's just say it's an easy round trip.
August 7, 2024
During the 20 years Hoosiers fought in the Viet Nam War, Indiana lost 983 soldiers. In just the past 10 years, more than 4,000 Hoosiers have died from using opioids. Use of opioids over the past 10 years has killed at a rate of more than eight times the death rate in Viet Nam.
July 22, 2024
Incarcerated people have few if any decisions to make about their daily life. They are told what to wear, and are given the food someone else has decided to provide. The days are ordered according to the facility's schedule, and visits are determined by the visitor, not the inmate. Eventually the ability to make decisions is impacted.
July 7, 2024
I recently read a fascinating prisoner blog post. The man has been in prison for 30 years and says he is grateful for the sentence because he has been taught how to think through cognitive reframing, and he is peaceful and happy now. Seriously?
