Topic
Prison Reform
508 published works
The State of Justice Blog
Alabama Appleseed Applauds Agreement for a Prison Oversight Pilot Program
Years of relentless advocacy by families of incarcerated Alabamians has resulted in a new prison oversight pilot program to create transparency and accountability at the Alabama Department of Corrections. Families…
The State of Justice Blog
SB 316, Alabama’s Prison Oversight Bill, Has Been Filed. Now Let’s Get It Passed.
More oversight, transparency, and accountability could be coming to the Alabama Department of Corrections under SB 316, filed last week by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia This…
The State of Justice Blog
Remembering three Appleseed clients who died waiting for a chance at freedom
By Scott Fuqua, Appleseed Legal Director A vigil was held on February 18th at the State Capitol to remember the people who have died in our prisons this decade. Most made…
The Justice Gap
Record prison deaths reported amid endemic drug crisis
Recent data released by Ministry of Justice shows that 2025 recorded the highest number of deaths in prison on record. Last year there were 394 deaths in custody, a 15% increase…
India Legal
Caste Behind Bars
By Dilip Bobb
Even behind the iron bars of Indian jails, it is possible to expose the evil that lurks inside—not the criminality of inmates, but the discrimination of caste as reflected in…
The Justice Gap
Decision on PAVA spray use against children shows ‘how toxic prison system has become’
A legal challenge over the use of PAVA spray in youth prisons has failed, as a judge today handed down a ‘finely balanced’ decision allowing the use of the incapacitant…
Legal History Blog
Resnick's "Impermissible Punishments"
By Dan Ernst
Judith Resnik, Yale Law School, has published Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy (University of Chicago Press):Impermissible Punishments explores the history of punishment inside prisons and how governments…
The Justice Gap
HMP Featherstone failing to curb ready availability of drugs
A Wolverhampton prison has been found to have worsening violence, drug-taking, and self-inflicted deaths than it did at its previous inspection three years ago. The latest inspection by the prisons…
The State of Justice Blog
Want to Support Prison Reform in Alabama? Don’t Miss Celebrate Justice 2025!
Ready to support much needed prison reform in Alabama and enjoy a joyous, musical event featuring Grammy-winning bluesman Alvin Youngblood Hart? Of course you are! Plans for Appleseed’s annual fundraiser…
The State of Justice Blog
A phone, a notebook, and some spreadsheets: How Appleseed’s determined researcher tracks Alabama prison deaths, comforts grieving families and ensures their suffering is documented
By Eddie Burkhalter, Appleseed Researcher Anniston, AL — There are days when I have to step away from the work as my phone rings with another desperate voice, a mother…