Researching Mass Incarceration and Prison Abolition: News

In catalog record, click: American Prison Newspapers, 1800-2020.
This searchable, open-access collection "bring[s] together hundreds of these periodicals from across the country into one collection that will represent penal institutions of all kinds, with special attention paid to women's-only institutions." After running a search like: Rikers Island, "Refine Results" allows you to search within results and to add a date range.

Human Rights Defense Center's 2020 Annual Report describes Prison Legal News (PLN) as "the longest-running independent magazine produced by and for prisoners." PLN analyzes "prisoners' rights, court rulings and news concerning criminal justice-related issues."
PLN's website includes: Articles published in PLN (1990-); additional news articles and reports on cases; selected audits, reports and studies; legal rulings; and PLN's Brief Bank.
PLN's home page tab: "Search Content" supports searching by topic and by location (in U.S. + in other countries). Although most of the Brief Bank content requires a PLN premium content subscription, case briefs might be available in Westlaw, Lexis+ or Bloomberg Law's dockets database.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan Marshall Project is a news organization that works "to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system."
Life Inside is a "weekly series of first-person essays from people who live or work in the criminal justice system."

Kites provides first-person, personal reports by the incarcerated. Tab: Stories also publishes poetry, art and opinion essays and commentaries.

The American Civil Liberties Union "works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country."
This site includes "News & Commentary."

This site provides "correctional industry news." This industry site appears in this guide because it includes some articles like: CN Staff, New Brooklyn Facility to Help Former Inmates Transition (June 30, 2022) [describing Osborne’s Marcus Garvey supportive housing program], https://correctionalnews.com/2022/06/30/new-brooklyn-facility-to-help-former-inmates-transition

Equal Justice initiative is a private, nonprofit organization that "provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons."
Tip: Researchers can search for news and can filter news by year.

The Innocence Project "works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone."

The nonprofit, nonpartisan Marshall Project is a news organization that works "to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system."
Tip: Menu icon (= lines on top left of home screen) supports review of reporting by topics: Coronavirus; Regional Reporting; Death Penalty; Immigration; Juvenile Justice; Mental Health; Policing; Politics and Reform; and Race.

New York Focus is "nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom covering state and local politics in the Empire State."
Tip: New York Focus tags articles by topic: Criminal Justice.

Prison Journalism Project reporters provide "news from inside prison, incorporating interviews and other third-person reporting."

This newsletter is an important resource for people who are incarcerated in the state of New York.

Vera Institute of Justice is "a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change." Vera describes its vision as: "[s]afe, healthy, empowered communities and a fair, accountable justice system."
Vera's News & Stories include "ideas, opinions and strategies to end mass incarceration."

Use "Search Legal News Hub" feature or click tab: All Sections > Access to Justice, Trials.

Includes content from: Chicago Tribune; Los Angeles Times; The New York Times; The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.