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Prison Life
Jeff Östberg for The Marshall Project
Life Inside
How I Became an Opera Composer in a Maximum Security Prison
I learned music theory through workshops at New York’s Sing Sing prison. I earned my stripes by singing for boisterous crowds of incarcerated critics.
Cleveland
April 17
All Stick, No Carrot: Ohio’s Reagan Tokes Law Acts as a ‘One-Way Ratchet’ for Prison Time
Intended to curb prison violence with promises of early release, the law is turning out as unbalanced as critics feared, with sentences extended at every turn.
By
Doug Livingston
Cleveland
April 10
How Ohio’s Reagan Tokes Law Keeps People in Prison Longer
It came as a response by lawmakers to a horrific crime. Now, thousands of people imprisoned since 2019 risk more time behind bars for breaking rules.
By
Doug Livingston
Life Inside
April 4
I Changed My Violent Prison Life in the Most Random Way: I Quit Drinking Soda
This simple act of self-denial forced me to admit that a major source of my life’s problems was my lack of self-discipline.
By
Eric Williams
Life Inside
March 28
Anatomy of a Prison Death
It’s stressful when anyone dies on your wing, especially when no one ever tells you what happened.
By
Thomas Koskovich
News Inside
March 11
Strength Behind Bars
News Inside Issue 19 honors women navigating the correctional system.
By
Lawrence Bartley
Closing Argument
March 8
The Big Business of Bad Prison Food
A market analysis said the food service industry in U.S. prisons and jails is worth billions — and is forecasted to grow.
By
Beth Schwartzapfel
Life Inside
February 28
‘Sing Sing’ Actor Jon-Adrian ‘JJ’ Velazquez Reflects on the Power of Prison Theater
JJ Velazquez served nearly 24 years for a murder he didn’t commit. A unique prison arts program transformed him into an actor and activist.
By
Jon-Adrian Velazquez
, as told to
Aala Abdullahi
Life Inside
February 14
Prison Wedding Rules: No Cake, No Lace, But Lots of Love
St. Louis activist Khanika Harper found the perfect way to marry her passion for justice with the power of love: She became a prison wedding officiant.
By
Khanika Harper
as told to
Ivy Scott
Life Inside
February 7
‘Friendly Signs’ Documentary Follows One Man’s Quest to Create Community for Deaf Prisoners
Director Rahsaan “New York” Thomas explores the impact of Tommy Wickerd’s sign language class at San Quentin and the challenges of prison filmmaking.
By
Aala Abdullahi