Essay: Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on the outside
In an article first published on The Conversation, YE IN (JANE) HWANG looks ay how digital exclusion affects prisoners as they re-enter society…
Essay: During Second Chance Month, let’s take a second look at who remains in prison
CHERYL BURKE, associate conference minister for the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ, says Second Look legislation aims to create a process for courts to reevaluate lengthy prison sentences, particularly for individuals who were incarcerated at a young age…
Over 100 inmates die in DR Congo prisons since start of year, UN says
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters More than 100 inmates have died so far this year in Democratic Republic of Congo’s underfunded and chronically overcrowded prisons, a UN human rights official said on Wednesday. The main cause of the deaths was contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, which spread easily in crowded facilities and require unavailable […]
Wow!: Canadian ex-inmate strives to end stigma through popcorn business
KYAW SOE OO, of Reuters, reports how ComeBack Snacks Popcorn is giving ex-prisoners much needed work…
Israel signals progress in Gaza truce talks, Palestinians see little movement
Jerusalem/Cairo, Egypt Reuters Israeli leaders planned to convene on Saturday to hear of possible progress in mediated negotiations on a new Gaza truce to recover hostages held by Hamas, but Palestinians saw little change in polarised positions almost five months into the war. Israeli delegates met on Friday in Paris with Qatari, Egyptian and US […]
Families of jailed Cuban protesters file petition for their freedom
Havana, Cuba Reuters Family members of 34 prisoners in Cuba who were jailed following anti-government protests in July, 2021, have filed a petition with lawmakers seeking an amnesty for their loved ones. According to rights groups, some 1,000 people were jailed in the wake of the protests, the largest since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Some […]
Russia and Ukraine stage major POW exchange after UAE mediation
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday announced their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months, with more than 200 freed by each side after what both said was a complex negotiation involving mediation by the United Arab Emirates. Russia’s Defence Ministry said 248 military personnel had been handed over by Ukraine. […]
Ukraine proposes mobilising up to 500,000 more people into army – Zelenskiy
Kyiv, Ukraine/London, UKReuters Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday the military had proposed mobilising 450,000 to 500,000 more Ukrainians into the armed forces in what would mark a dramatic step up of Kyiv’s war with Russia. The Ukrainian leader told his end-of-year news conference it was a “highly sensitive” issue that the military and […]
Relatives of jailed Salvadorans say “mass trials” unconstitutional
San Salvador, El Salvador Reuters Dozens of relatives of prisoners jailed in El Salvador during a state of emergency called on Thursday on the Supreme Court to rule unconstitutional upcoming “mass trials” of suspected gang members. El Salvador’s Congress, controlled by President Nayib Bukele’s ruling party, approved special emergency provisions in July that allow people […]
US prisoners freed from Iran make emotional return home after swap deal
Doha, Qatar/New York, USReuters Five Americans freed from Iran made an emotional return to the United States on Tuesday ending their imprisonment “nightmare”, a day after they were swapped for five Iranians held in the US and the unfreezing of $US6 billion in Iranian funds. Coming off the plane, the returning Americans were embraced by […]