Prison is one of the last strongholds of letter-writing, but mail restrictions are chipping away at the few connections people inside have left. Oregon’s new ban on “security-feature” envelopes is the latest roadblock — and it even applies to envelopes prisoners have bought themselves. The result? Delays, wasted postage, and more isolation.
In some courts, missing a payment can still land you behind bars. This post breaks down how “pay or stay” policies function as modern-day debtor’s prisons — punishing people not for crimes, but for being poor.
States say good time credits reward rehabilitation, but many incarcerated people never see the time they’ve earned. This post exposes how vague policies and quiet reclassifications keep people inside longer than they should be.
Explains how people in prison are counted for political maps, usually in rural areas, giving political power to places where they can’t vote. Deeply skewed representation, zero voice.
Prison isn’t just about punishment — it’s a billion-dollar business. From costly calls and messaging, to canceled visits, connection is treated like a luxury. And families are stuck with the bill.
Welcome to Policy vs. People, a series that cuts through the fog of political soundbites to ask one critical question: Who is...