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The Battle to Open Prisons to Journalists
Many states make it extremely difficult for journalists to visit their prisons, interview prisoners and report with any regularity or authority on what goes on inside America’s prison system.
Take the case of Illinois.
In March 2012, after hearing reports of black mold, insect and vermin infestations, and busted-out windows …
Take the case of Illinois.
In March 2012, after hearing reports of black mold, insect and vermin infestations, and busted-out windows …
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More from this issue:
- LaSalle Corrections: A Family-Run Prison Firm, by Matthew Clarke
- Tenth Circuit: Terrorism Prisoners Lack Liberty Interest in Transfer to ADX, by Derek Gilna
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- The Battle to Open Prisons to Journalists, by Jessica Pupovac
- Two Companies Acknowledge Exporting U.S. Prisoner-Made Goods to Canada, by David Reutter
- Reintroducing the Private Prison Information Act: An Interview, by Mel Motel
- GAO Examines How BOP Can Reduce Prisoners’ Time in Prison, by Derek Gilna
- In Memory of Jon E. Yount (1938-2012), by Peter Wagner
- Supreme Court Extends Qualified Immunity to Private Attorney
- U.S. Imprisons the Most Women, Tops International List
- Supreme Court Adopts Strickland Prejudice Standard for Rejected Plea Bargains, by Derek Gilna
- NY Federal Judge Deals Rare SHU Placement Defeat to BOP, by Derek Gilna
- Oregon Jail Guard Convicted of Assaulting Prisoner, Gets 30 Days in Jail
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Sets Aside Convictions Based on Actual Innocence, by Matthew Clarke
- The Collapse of American Criminal Justice, by William J. Stuntz (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2011). 432 pages, $35.00, by Derek Gilna
- Illinois: Current Insurer Must Pay Wrongful Conviction Award after Exoneration
- Pay-to-Stay Jail Programs Growing
- Nevada DOC Audit: Doctors Work 5 Hours, Get Paid for 10
- Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Firing of PHS Medical Director
- Oregon Prosecutor’s Son Escapes Mandatory Prison Time for Sexual Assault
- Life After Murder: Five Men in Search of Redemption, by Nancy Mullane (Public Affairs Books, 2012). 384 pages, $26.99 (hard-cover), by John Dannenberg
- Former California Prison Guard Resentenced Following Assault Conviction
- Texas Supreme Court Rules Compensation Required in Schlup-type Innocence Cases, by Matthew Clarke
- FBI Loses Prisoner’s Property but Sovereign Immunity Foils Recovery, by Derek Gilna
- Supreme Court: No Bivens Actions for Federal Prisoners in Private Prison, by Matthew Clarke
- Pregnant Woman Suffers Needless Death in Oklahoma Jail, by Matthew Clarke
- Seventh Circuit Approves Illinois Prison’s Rejection of PDR and Drug Guide
- Alabama Law Meant to Ensure Transparency in Judicial Elections Not Enforced for 16 Years, by Derek Gilna
- Idaho DOC Settles 30-year-old Class-action Lawsuit
- New York Jail Profits from TV Ads, by Joe Watson
- Federal Prison Industries Contract Leads to Freeworld Job Losses
- California: Denial of Kosher Diet to Messianic Jew Violates RLUIPA
- New Hampshire: $450,000 Settlement in Suit Over Prisoner’s Opiate Detoxification Death
- Ohio Supreme Court Sides with Defendant in Sex Offender Registration Case, by Derek Gilna
- FCC Finally Moves on Wright Petition After Almost a Decade of Inaction
- TASER Liability Verdict Upheld, but Remittitur Granted
- New York Court Limits Costs to $.25 per Page for Prison Medical Records Requests
- Johnny Cash and His Prison Reform Campaign, by Danny Robins
- News in Brief
More from Jessica Pupovac:
- The Battle to Open Prisons to Journalists, Feb. 15, 2013
- StopMax: The Fight Against Supermax Prisons Heats Up, Dec. 15, 2008
More from these topics:
- Tulsa Jail Withholds Records Related to Detainee Deaths, April 1, 2026. Private Prisons, Wrongful Death, Suicides, Access to Media, Public Records Act.
- Like Prisoners, Most Jail Detainees Now Banned from Receiving Physical Mail, March 1, 2026. Jail Specific, Mail Regulations, Legal Mail, Censorship, Digital Devices, Private Phone Contractors.
- Alaska Prisoner’s Discipline for Violating Invalidated Rule Tossed, March 1, 2026. Disciplinary Hearings, Access to Media, Statutory Construction/Interpretation, Authority and Jurisdiction, Administrative Detention/Segregation.
- Most U.S. Prisoners Now Barred from Directly Receiving Physical Mail, Feb. 1, 2026. Mail Regulations, Due Process, Legal Mail, Censorship, Warrantless Searches, Electronic Surveillance.
- HRDC Sues Minnesota DOC Over Censorship Policy, Feb. 1, 2026. Publications/Books, Due Process, Censorship, First Amendment, HRDC Litigation.
- Arkansas Bans Outside Reading Material Sent to Prisons, Feb. 1, 2026. Reading Materials, Publications/Books, Banned Book Lists, Censorship, Securus.
- HRDC Sues Washington Jail for Rejecting PLN and Other Publications, Jan. 1, 2026. Publications/Books, Due Process, Censorship, First Amendment, rights, HRDC Litigation.
- HRDC Sues New Mexico County for Violating 10-Year-Old Settlement of Censorship Suit, Jan. 1, 2026. Settlements, Publications/Books, Due Process, Censorship, First Amendment.
- Oklahoma DOC Refuses to Publicly Release Body Camera Footage, Jan. 1, 2026. DOC/BOP misconduct, Access to Media, Public Records Act.
- Louisiana Prisoner Granted Preliminary Injunction in Challenge to Jail Book Ban, Dec. 1, 2025. Reading Materials, Injunctions, Publications/Books, Censorship, First Amendment, rights.