Truthout
Prisons
![](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/12/SEG1-Mumia-2-400x300.jpg)
Mumia Abu-Jamal Wins Chance to Reargue Appeal in 1981 Police Killing
A Philadelphia judge ruled Abu-Jamal can reargue his appeal before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
![](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/12/SEG2-Prisoners-2-400x300.jpg)
Critics Say First Step Act Makes False Promises About Criminal Legal Reform
Van Jones and Jessica Jackson Sloan, a human rights attorney, discusses more.
![](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/11/SEG-Dante-Marty-Split-400x300.jpg)
These Prisoners Are Paid a Dollar an Hour to Battle California Fires
Democracy Now! interviews incarcerated firefighters.
![President Trump makes an announcement regarding the "First Step Act" prison reform bill at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 14, 2018.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/11/GettyImages-1061513002-400x300.jpg)
What the Latest Bipartisan Prison Reform Gets Wrong and Why It Matters
The bill currently being put forward is both weak and dangerous.
![Censorship further enhances isolation, which is particularly acute for LGBTQ prisoners.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/10/2018_1018-prison-400x300.jpg)
Illinois Prisons Sued for Unconstitutional Ban on LGBTQ Literature
Such censorship further enhances isolation, which is particularly acute for LGBTQ prisoners.
![Prisoner trapped in increasing heat](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/10/2018_1005bernd2-400x300.jpg)
Officials Literally “Blow Hot Air” to Mitigate Heat in Texas Prisons
Several Texas prisoners told Truthout they were threatened after asking for respite from extreme heat.
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Tampons Banned for Visitors to Virginia Prisons
A new policy prohibits visitors from using tampons or hygiene cups.
![South Carolina Prisoners Were Left in Cells as Florence Descended](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/09/prison-400x300.jpg)
South Carolina Prisoners Were Left in Cells as Florence Descended
South Carolina officials are coming under fire for refusing to relocate prisoners during Hurricane Florence.
![Prisoner with head in hands](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/09/shutterstock_785415178g-400x300.jpg)
Private Prison Officials Allowed to Force-Feed Immigrant Hunger Strikers
Activists say hunger strikers faced retaliation after protests at a privately run immigration jail.
![Prison bars and razor wire](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2018/09/GettyImages-172986489d-400x300.jpg)
The National Prisons Strike Is Over. Now Is When Prisoners Are Most in Danger.
A historian reminds us that protests in prisons are often followed by retaliation.