Inspired by European models, the new Bureau of Prisons director built a Japanese garden in one penitentiary and made official language less demeaning. But some are skeptical of lasting reform.

Following a Marshall Project/NPR report detailing violence and abuse at the newest federal penitentiary, three members of Congress asked the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate.

Fewer guards lead to more lockdowns, rising tensions and scant access to healthcare.

As the pandemic worsened inside federal prisons, officials granted fewer releases.

CoreCivic and GEO Group have been shifting away from prisons toward other government contracts, like office space and immigration detention.