Prison
Transgender prisoners are being failed by the system
Here's what needs to change — A crowd gathered at Pentonville Prison in London last night on Trans Prisoner Day of Action, with events held globally to highlight issues facing trans prisoners: denied hormones, misgendered, facing disproportionate levels of mental health issues, violence and abuse. Campaigner Kuchenga Shenjé addressed the vigil, and her speech is produced below.
Written by: Imani Robinson // Kuchenga Shenjé
The greatest struggles and subcultures of the 1960s
Breaking with the old way — Danny Lyon pioneered a new form of photojournalism in the 1960s, getting deep with his subjects and seeing the world through their eyes: in prisons, biker gangs and in the Civil Rights Movement.
Written by: Alex King
British prisons are 'unacceptably violent and dangerous' says new report
It's time for reform — In the Chief Inspector of Prisons' Annual Report published today, it's revealed that the number of assaults, homicides and self-inflicted deaths have increased, while four of the five young offender institutions were not sufficiently safe.
Written by: Michael Segalov
The actors turning Guantanamo Bay torture techniques into theatre
Welcome to a dystopian paradise — Theatre company 2Magpies are no strangers to tackling controversial subjects, but their latest project - exploring music and torture at Guantanamo Bay - may well be their boldest performance yet, showing us the songs used for torture at Guantanamo Bay, and asking questions about how we react to terror.
Written by: Natasha Turner
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
The Netherlands is closing down a load of prisons due to a lack of inmates
Could we stand to replicate? — In a climate of rehabilitation, community service and electronic tagging, jail cells in the Netherlands are being left completely vacant – leading to mass closures of prisons around the country. Could it be yet another progressive Dutch stance we could stand to replicate?
Written by: Adam White
Transitioning gender in prison: finding the 'real me' in a high-risk environment
A Story of Self Re-discovery — Lauren was raised as a girl until the age of eight, when her father decided she should be a boy. The resulting confusion led to a life of crime and, ultimately, the need to find her true self while serving time in a male prison.
Written by: Cat McShane
In prison, painting is freedom
Huck Film: Prison Da Vinci — When denied freedom and everyday conveniences, people's resourcefulness grows. Chris Wilson shows us how prison taught him to free his mind, and his talent, in Huck's latest short film.
Written by: HUCK HQ
Interactive documentary puts you in solitary confinement with a Black Panther activist
The Deeper They Bury Me — Political prisoner Herman Wallace became famous as a member of the 'Angola Three'. Now the late-activist's story has been recreated through a moving online documentary.
Written by: Sam Warner
Chuck Ragan on his journey from hard times to Hot Water Music
Passion, wrong turns, and punk rock — Before Hot Water Music became a pillar of punk rock, frontman Chuck Ragan found himself doing time.
Written by: Jon Coen