Prison

One of the last family photos of Bernard Simmons is shown by his sister, Debra Simmons, in her home in Chicago.

National

Doubling Up Prisoners In 'Solitary' Creates Deadly Consequences

11:36am March 24, 2016

Imagine living in a cell smaller than a parking space or a king-size mattress. Now add a roommate. The result for some inmates forced to live together in solitary can be murder.

National

Riot Breaks Out In Alabama Prison

10:09am March 12, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The 1,031-bed Holman Correctional Facility, about 50 miles north of Mobile, is the only prison in Alabama that carries out executions. Prisoners are reportedly setting fires and roaming the facility.

The front entrance of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La. Woodfox spent much of his decades in solitary confinement at the prison.

National

Last Of 'Angola 3' Released After More Than 40 Years In Solitary Confinement

7:36pm February 19, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Albert Woodfox, accused of killing a prison guard in 1972 with two other men, has always maintained his innocence. His decades in solitary became an international human rights issue.

Karriem Saleem El-Amin of Baltimore is one of the more than 130 prisoners serving life sentences for violent crimes who were released on probation following a landmark ruling by Maryland's highest court.

National

From A Life Term To Life On The Outside: When Aging Felons Are Freed

3:41pm February 18, 2016

A landmark ruling by Maryland's highest court affected prisoners convicted of violent crimes before 1981. None of them has re-offended so far. But that's no comfort to angry families of their victims.

Chess players score a game at the Northern New Hampshire Correctional facility in Berlin, N.H.

Chess Wars: 20 Inmates, 5 Weeks, 1 Champion

6:39pm February 09, 2016

by Keith O'Brien

Deep in the woods of New Hampshire, 20 inmates are engaged in a fierce chess tournament in a secluded prison. The prize may be just a paper certificate, but even then, winning means a lot.

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National

Computer Glitch Leads To Mistaken Early Release Of Prisoners In Washington

4:28pm January 01, 2016

by Martin Kaste

Discovered three years ago, the miscalculations were made public only recently. Two inmates set free early have been charged with homicides committed when they should have still been in prison.

Harvoni is one of the new medications for hepatitis C that can cure almost all infections.

Treating Prisoners With Hepatitis C May Be Worth The Hefty Price

5:04pm November 23, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

About 15 percent of people in prison are infected with hepatitis C. Screening and treating inmates would save $750 million over 30 years and prevent many new cases in the general public.

David Carlson served two tours in Iraq while in the military.

National

Behind Bars, Vets With PTSD Face A New War Zone, With Little Support

7:45pm November 05, 2015

by Quil Lawrence

"For my PTSD issues, jail is the least therapeutic atmosphere you could ever imagine," says Iraq veteran David Carlson. "You come in one way and you leave three times worse."

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Behind Bars, Cheap Ramen Is As Good As Gold

6:29pm November 04, 2015

by NPR Staff

Instant noodles are a staple for inmates: a basis of recipe hacks, a form of currency. They've even helped defuse a prison riot, as an ex-inmate details in Prison Ramen, a book of stories and recipes.

Leahya Ellis and other spinning class participants use exercise as a way to shake away stress, anger and depression.

Biking Behind Bars: Female Inmates Battle Weight Gain

10:25am October 14, 2015

by Taunya English

Women in prison often eat to relieve stress or boredom. The resulting weight gain can make other physical and emotional problems worse. In one prison, spinning helps keep the pounds and rage at bay.

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