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When a man kills his wife in India, what happens to the children?

Kamala Thiagarajan

November 12, 2018 |

Al Jazeera |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Tamil Nadu

Global Network for Equality grew out of sociological research of men imprisoned for killing their wives. Researcher KR Raja saw how many children had been effectively orphaned by such killings, and how the men's rehabilitation in prison depended in part on knowing their families were provided for. GNE helps hundreds of children up to age 18 with living expenses, emotional support, and college applications and costs. While the effects on prisoners aren't shown, the program clearly improves the lives of the affected children.

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America's Other Family-Separation Crisis

Sarah Stillman

November 05, 2018 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

As incarceration rates of women in America continue to rise, Still She Rises, a project of the Bronx Defenders, uses a holistic approach to legal defense for incarcerated mothers in Tulsa, OK. Attorneys for the organization investigate injustices in cases and represent local, often impoverished, mothers, who face losing custody of their children in the face of the law.

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Rethinking Alaska's only maximum-security prison

Marc Lester

October 26, 2018 |

Anchorage Daily News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

At Spring Creek Correctional Center, top officials are instituting new programming for inmates in the hopes of creating a culture of respect and innovation, while decreasing recidivism rates. Some of the new initiatives at Spring Creek include classes in business and art, support groups for those trying to stay sober, mentorship for inmates obtaining their GED, and a discussion group on ethics and morals. What makes all of these unique? They’re all prisoner-led.

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How to make prisons more humane

Dylan Matthews Byrd Pinkerton

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

Jessica Pupovac

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.

Maurice Chammah

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

Maurice Chammah

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

Sara Hoover

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?

Shelbi Polk

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

Christine Herman

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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