News May 30

The $580 Co-pay

In prison, seeing the doctor can cost up to a month’s salary.

By Beth Schwartzapfel

Life Inside March 8

Caring for My Sick Husband From Prison

A federal inmate feels helpless as her partner’s health deteriorates.

By Connie Farris, as told to Christie Thompson

Feature March 7

Old, Sick and Dying in Shackles

“Compassionate release” has bipartisan support as a way to reduce the federal prison population and save taxpayer money. New data shows that it’s rarely used.

By Christie Thompson

News February 26

How Bad is Prison Health Care? Depends on Who’s Watching

A federal judge considers $1 million in fines for one state’s “pervasive and intractable failures.”

By Beth Schwartzapfel

Feature February 15

Too Sick for Jail — But Not for Solitary

Tennessee locks ailing, mentally ill, pregnant and juvenile prisoners in isolation to help jails save money.

By Allen Arthur with additional reporting by Dave Boucher

Life Inside January 25

The Misery of “Medical Chain”

When a trip to the hospital means spending hours on a cramped bus handcuffed to another prisoner.

By Deidre Mcdonald

Life Inside January 4

The Doctors Say I’m O.K, But Then There’s This Pain…

A fretful prisoner struggles with an ever-growing list of symptoms.

By Rahsaan Thomas

News September 20, 2017

When a Mental Health Emergency Lands You in Jail

Colorado just outlawed jail for people in a psychiatric crisis, but plenty of states still do it.

By Taylor Elizabeth Eldridge

News June 14, 2017

For Corrections Officers and Cops, a New Emphasis on Mental Health

An intensive study and new programs to combat stress that often goes overlooked.

By Simone Weichselbaum

News May 17, 2017

Crime Victims Stand to Lose Aid, If Obamacare Goes Away

Without it, state compensation funds would again bear more of the burden.

By Alysia Santo

News May 10, 2017

A Fresh Take on Ending the Jail-to-Street-to-Jail Cycle

For troubled repeat offenders, a chance at a supportive place to live.

By Christie Thompson

News May 8, 2017

Treating Cancer with Ibuprofen

Medical care is already bad for immigrant detainees. Will Trump policies make it worse?

By Christie Thompson

Life Inside April 27, 2017

I Escaped My Manic Demons, but My Clients Usually Can’t

A social worker struggles to keep the mentally ill poor out of jail.

By Kristen Anderson

Case in Point March 6, 2017

Death by Mismanagement?

A case that tests corporate liability for chaos.

By Andrew Cohen

Life Inside March 2, 2017

Running Out of Time?

An inmate with cancer wonders if her parole will come soon enough.

By Shavonne Robbins as told to Lisa Riordan Seville

Feature December 6, 2016

Out of Prison, Uncovered

Medicaid for ex-prisoners saves money and lives, but millions are released without it.

By Beth Schwartzapfel and Jay Hancock

News September 13, 2016

When an Old Law Makes It Hard to Fix a Troubled Jail

A federal statute from the Carter era favors negotiation, but that can take a long time.

By Alysia Santo

Life Inside May 12, 2016

What I’ve Learned as a Jail Doctor

And the case I’ll never forget.

By Alia Moore

News March 29, 2016

Why Some Prisoners With HIV Get Better Treatment Than Others

A new report says care varies widely between Louisiana’s jails and prisons.

By Beth Schwartzapfel

News February 22, 2016

Why Some Prisons are Spending Millions on a Pricey New Drug

Corrections facilities are ground zero for treating hepatitis C — but at a cost.

By Beth Schwartzapfel

News November 24, 2015

The $33 Test in Prison That Could Save Countless Lives on the Outside

Treating Hep C isn’t cheap, but experts say it’s cost-effective.

By Beth Schwartzapfel

News November 10, 2015

Could Virtual OBGYN Services Help Stop Miscarriages? One Arkansas Jail Hopes So

Prodded by lawsuits, one jail moves to curb fetal deaths.

By Simone Weichselbaum

Q&A June 16, 2015

The Corizon CEO on Losing Its Contract With Rikers

"You win some, you lose some."

By Maura Ewing

News June 11, 2015

Why New York Dropped Corizon

It’s not just the big profits and dead inmates.

By Maura Ewing

News May 7, 2015

Older Prisoners, Higher Costs

A tough, new report says it’s time for federal prisons to release the elderly and infirm.

By Andrew Cohen

News April 22, 2015

When Your Insulin Pump is Contraband

What diabetics face behind bars.

By Christie Thompson

Q&A March 11, 2015

Tending to Tsarnaev

A trauma surgeon on the moment the accused Boston Marathon bomber became his patient.

By Beth Schwartzapfel

News January 12, 2015

Going Viral

The great (make-believe) Ebola outbreak.

By Maurice Chammah

News December 9, 2014

It’s Not the Heat

Prison inmates are dying of cold. Why?

By Alysia Santo

News December 2, 2014

Therapists in Blue

Can New York’s police learn to handle the mentally ill?

By Dana Goldstein

News November 17, 2014

Obama’s Prison Crisis

Crowded cells, aging inmates, soaring costs.

By Andrew Cohen