Prison reform
The Latest
Pope Francis: Greatness is not found in self-sufficiency but in trust in the Lord
Pope Francis said that recognizing one’s own frailty allows for the possibility to discover that true strength comes from placing... Read more
Pope Francis: Life imprisonment forgoes the ‘right to start over’
In an audience with penitentiary staff and prison chaplains, Pope Francis said Saturday that sentencing prisoners to life imprisonment diminishes... Read more
Suicide rate in prisons raises alarm, calls for change
With suicide rates remaining high in the United States’ prison system, civil advocates are raising concerns regarding the treatment of... Read more
Faith leaders call for an end to solitary confinement
New York’s faith leaders gathered in protest of solitary confinement this week, pushing for a bill that seeks more humane... Read more
Legislation to restore inmates’ eligibility for Pell grants draws praise
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress last week would allow inmates in federal and state prisons to be eligible for... Read more
With a lifelong Catholic at the helm, Oregon eyes prison reform
The head of the Oregon prison system is looking to make significant changes to the way the state views punishment,... Read more
Catholic groups support prison reform bill
Catholic groups expressed optimism at a criminal justice reform bill, as the “First Step Act” legislation makes its way through... Read more
US bishops ask Senate to pass prison reform bill
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a letter last week urging the Senate to pass the bipartisan First... Read more
Possible merging of sentencing reform with prison bill draws praise
The largest global Christian prison ministry is applauding reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to include... Read more
In the US, we're more likely to jail the mentally ill than get them help
People with severe mental illness are much more likely to be incarcerated than treated for their disorders, say advocates, and... Read more
Why we should care about the spike in women prisoners
While there is talk of criminal justice reform in the U.S., something must also be done about a decades-long spike... Read more
Ex-convict: We need to end the stigma against felons
As Pope Francis and U.S. bishops insist upon helping ex-convicts re-enter society, advocates are pointing to a litany of obstacles... Read more
Call for prayers, reform follow deadly fire at Guatemala girls' shelter
There is mourning in Guatemala after at least 35 girls perished in a fire at a state-run home for youth,... Read more
Bishop offers prayers after Brazil prison riot leaves 56 dead
A local bishop called for prayer and prison reform efforts after a 17-hour prison uprising in the Amazon city of... Read more
Why there's a backlash against solitary confinement in US prisons
Kalief Browder was 16 years old when he entered the notorious Rikers Island prison in New York, awaiting trial for... Read more
Cardinal Nichols reminds Catholics: prisoners are part of the Church too
Urging the Catholic Church to work for prison reform, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster stressed the need to ensure that... Read more
How Catholic leaders are responding to the Queen's prison reform speech
The Catholic bishops of England and Wales are ready to support the government’s proposed prison reforms outlined in Queen Elizabeth... Read more
Criminal justice reform and the high cost of incarceration
Experts from across the political spectrum are calling for criminal justice reform, as a new White House report shows the... Read more
Amid calls for reform, a look at stats – and stories – from the US prison system
Saul Green wanted to turn his life around. Read more
