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One of Every 11 Prisoners Now Serving Life Sentence
In a July 2009 report by The Sentencing Project, a national non-profit organization engaged in research and advocacy on criminal justice policy issues, Ashley Nellis and Ryan S. King examine the consequences of the expanding use of life sentences in America and make recommendations for changes in law, policy and …
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More from this issue:
- Swine Flu Widespread in Prisons and Jails, but Deaths are Few, by David Reutter
- Ineffective Attempts to Protect Texas Prisoner Were Sufficient
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Preventable Sacramento County Jail Death Costs Taxpayers $1.45 Million, by David Reutter
- Free Rent for Some Washington State Parolees
- A New Look at a Very Old Subject: The Uniform Collateral Consequences of Conviction Act, by Margaret Colgate Love
- Arkansas Prisoner Awarded $625 for Refusing to Clean His Cell on the Sabbath
- Three Years Later, CMS Still Fails to Meet Medical Standards in Delaware, by David Reutter
- Army Prisoners Isolated, Denied Right to Legal Counsel, by Dahr Jamail
- Freedom Forum CEO Charles Overby’s Dark History with Corrections Corporation of America, by Beau Hodai
- Three Florida Guards Charged in Prisoner’s Beating, by David Reutter
- Washington State Makes Work Release Available to Disabled Prisoners; Monetary Payments to Class Members
- Federal Judge Holds Texas Parole Board Coleman Hearings Unconstitutional, by Matthew Clarke
- $6,000 Settlement in Illegal Arrest of Washington State Probationer
- Denial of Medical Care Causes Two Riots at GEO Group Texas Prison, by Matthew Clarke
- Special Treatment for Jewish Prisoners, Rappers Leads to Employee Discipline, Resignations at New York Jails, by Gary Hunter
- Maine Prison System’s Board of Visitors: Secret, Unaccountable and Co-Opted, by Lance Tapley
- Rikers Guards Charged With Using Juvenile Prisoners to Run Extortion Ring, by Gary Hunter
- Maryland: Parole Supervision Fee Likely Does More Harm than Good, by Bob Williams
- Homelessness a Significant Problem for Released Prisoners, by John Dannenberg
- Department of Justice Releases Arrest-Related Death Statistics, by Matthew Clarke
- Arizona Prisoner, Abandoned in Outdoor Cage, Bakes to Death, by Gary Hunter
- Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board Member Brags About Bias
- Prison Supervisors Can be Liable for Guard’s Sexual Abuse, by David Reutter
- False Sense of Security: The Real Cost And Benefits Of The Adam Walsh Act, by Brandon Sample
- One of Every 11 Prisoners Now Serving Life Sentence, by Bob Williams
- Wisconsin Enacts New Early Release Law, by Matthew Clarke
- California Parents and Guardians Assessed Fees to Offset Juvenile Detention Costs, by Michael Brodheim
- $245,000 Settlement in Michigan Jail Prisoner’s Death
- $325,000 Settlement in Michigan Jail Prisoner’s Ruptured Appendix Lawsuit
- Unprovoked Texas Cattle Prod Shocking More Than De Minimis Injury, Case Settles for $20,000, by Matthew Clarke
- PLN Prevails in Connecticut FOI Case; City Appeals, by Alex Friedmann
- Ohio Inspector General Finds Wrongful Acts by Prison System’s Assistant Director, by Matthew Clarke
- Judge Enjoins Collection of Cost of Incarceration Fees From Federal Prisoner in Washington State Prison
- Settlement in Idaho Jail Condition Class-Action Suit, by Matthew Clarke
- $2.1 Million Award in Excessive Force Death of California Prisoner
- Wyoming’s Prison Industry Mushroom Farm Sold at Auction, by Matthew Clarke
- Settlement Promises Improvements at Baltimore City Jail, by Matthew Clarke
- Jury Awards $6,500 to California Prisoner for Negligence, Deliberate Indifference by Doctor
- Tenth Circuit: Dismissal of Prison Newsletter Censorship Case Reversed in Part
- Ineligible Texas Prisoners Receive Federal Stimulus Checks, by Jimmy Franks
- Exposure to Freezing Cold More than De Minimis in Texas Retaliation Case
- Head of California’s Prison System Arrested for Drunk Driving
- $50,000 Awarded to Florida Prisoner in Excessive Force Case
- Eighth Circuit Upholds $1,500 Award for Failure to Provide Kosher Diet; Grooming Restrictions Also Upheld
- Remedial Sanctions Denied in Wisconsin Class-Action Jail Suit, by Jimmy Franks
- Third-Party Calling Disconnects at Jail Net $1.25 Million Settlement; Customers Get Nothing
- Alabama Ends Policy Barring HIV+ Prisoners from Work Release
- News in Brief:
- Failure to Raise Issue in Rule 50 Motion Prohibits Argument on Appeal; $214,000 Verdict Upheld
- Four-Year Statute of Limitations Applies to § 1983 Claims Filed in Florida
More from Bob Williams:
- Ninth Circuit Reverses Suit Over Fees Charged Prepaid Debit Cards Given To Released Prisoners, April 1, 2020
- Safety at Any Price - Massachusetts Corrections Fiscal Failure , Sept. 22, 2015
- Tenth Circuit: Heck Not Applicable To Diversions; Notice Required Before Statute Of Limitations Dismissal, July 3, 2015
- No Rehearing For Disciplinary Actions Vacated On Substantive Grounds, July 15, 2011
- Treatment Required For Prisoners Committing Sex Offenses In Prison, July 15, 2011
- Tenth Circuit Reverses Lawsuit on Hygiene Versus Court Access for Second Time, June 15, 2011
- Shrinking Budgets Force States to Cut Corrections Spending, March 15, 2010
- Maryland: Parole Supervision Fee Likely Does More Harm than Good, Feb. 15, 2010
- One of Every 11 Prisoners Now Serving Life Sentence, Feb. 15, 2010
- Pennsylvania Contractor Prohibited from Using State and Federal Funds for Religious Purposes, April 15, 2009
More from these topics:
- Prison Policy Initiative Report Finds Significant Health Outcomes from Past Incarceration, Oct. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, Collateral consequences of prison, Health care.
- Virginia Report Finds Deaths Increasing as Prison Population Ages, Oct. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, De Facto Life Sentence.
- California Supreme Court Bail Ruling Cuts Some Jail Headcounts, Oct. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, State Legislation, Bail/Pretrial Release, Reduction of Prison Population.
- It’s Gotten Harder for Illinois Prisoners to Get Into College Classes, Oct. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, Education.
- Rising Deaths in Los Angeles County Jail Linked to Longer Stays, Sept. 1, 2026. Systemic Medical Neglect, Drug Overdose, Statistics/Trends, Suicides, Reduction of Prison Population.
- What 911 Calls Reveal About Jail Operations, Sept. 1, 2026. Systemic Medical Neglect, Statistics/Trends, Failure to Protect (General), Staffing, Staff Training.
- California Grand Jury Report on Deaths at Riverside County Jails, Sept. 1, 2026. Jail Misconduct, Corrections Audits, Prison Reform, Statistics/Trends, Public Records.
- Court-Ordered Report on Jail Voting in Massachusetts Finds Low-Rate, Sept. 1, 2026. Elections, Advocacy, Statistics/Trends, Public Records, Voting Rights.
- Michigan DOC Legal Payouts Top $7 Million in FY 2025, Less than One Percent of $2.15 Billion Operating Budget, Sept. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, Cost of Prison Systems, Damages, Settlements.
- Florida Kills Two Prisoners on Same Day, Both Elderly, Sept. 1, 2026. Statistics/Trends, Death Penalty, Death Row, Lethal Injection Method of Execution.

