Prisons
How teaching in prisons and a new mixtape is inspiring UK rap innovator Jords
Inside tracks — Two years since releasing his sophomore album Dirt In the Diamond on the legendary Motown Records, the South London MC returns with Mixtape J – a bold, independent, 10-track statement. We caught up with him to talk about the new project, his creative process and running writing workshops in UK prisons.
Written by: Niall Smith
In photos: Inmates of the oldest women’s prison in the USA
A new photobook, ‘Women Prisoner Polaroids’, revisits Jack Lueders-Booth’s seminal, humane portrait of women incarcerated in Massachusetts’ MCI Framingham.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Could immigration detention centres in Britain finally be shut down for good?
Brick by brick, wall by wall — Up to a thousand protestors descended on Yarl's Wood Detention Centre on Saturday to demand the closure of prisons that lock up asylum seekers indefinitely. The calls are growing louder, could their demands soon become a reality?
Written by: Michael Segalov
The true face of the drug epidemic ravaging UK prisons
‘I died three times’ — Record levels of drug use, violence and overcrowding are turning prisons into a toxic environment, with riots set to continue unless sweeping reforms are made.
Written by: Alex King
Photographers are revealing the dark truth about mass incarceration in the USA
Shining light on life behind bars — The Prison Photography project celebrates work that reveals the realities of prison life, while examining the deficiencies of photography in representing and putting an end to mass incarceration.
Written by: Alex King
The photographer who infiltrated US prisons during the Vietnam War
A conversation with the dead — When Danny Lyon infiltrated the Texan prison system during the Vietnam War, he captured a portrait of America that was propaganda free. But he didn’t do it alone. His new book 'Conversations with the Dead' contains the artwork and letters of prisoner #122054, a kid doing life called Billy McCune.
Written by: Danny Lyon / Alex King
British prisons are becoming increasingly more violent
An increase of 207% since 2012 — In a culture of systemic overcrowding, job cuts and ever-increasing numbers of prisoners, violent altercations are becoming a familiar sight in jails across the UK. "Wholesale reform is needed," experts have warned.
Written by: Adam White
Randy Credico and the fight against private prisons
Hooped prison overalls, one hour of shouting, and an NBA All-Star — As an activist, comedian and general nuisance to authority, Randy Credico built up enough love in New York City to run for governor. Now he's targeting mass incarceration. And the city comptroller should be afraid.
Written by: Alex Robert Ross
