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The House of the Good Shepherd in Troy, N.Y., circa 1940.

History

Collection Rensselaer County Historical Society, Troy, NY
Closing Argument
Why the Way We Understand the South Matters — Especially in Criminal Justice
In a special edition of Closing Argument, Jamiles Lartey reflects on the region as the nation’s 250th celebration approaches.
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A photo shows the silhouette of a person with long hair, standing in front of a U.S. flag.
Redemption Songs June 7
The San Quentin Prison Album That Should Have Been a Classic
Ike White’s “Changin’ Times” spans soul, rock, pop and jazz. On its 50th anniversary, it’s finally getting its due.
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Redemption Songs May 31
How Rapper G. Dep Went From Incarcerated to ‘Influential’
The Harlem MC explains how prison gave him the freedom to rap about more than material things.
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Redemption Songs May 24
Meet One of the Most Prolific Artists From Prison Music’s Golden Age
Singer, songwriter, drummer and pianist Morgan White appeared on five albums inside Texas prisons. Outside, he said no to the music industry.
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Redemption Songs May 17
The Incredible Story Behind The Escorts, a 1970s Soul Band Formed in Prison
A prison talent show, a former Motown producer and the promise that their album proceeds would go toward the costs of their incarceration.
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Redemption Songs May 3
This Is the Sound of 1,300 People in Prison Singing Gospel Together
Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music and a choir of 30 incarcerated men recorded one of the biggest prison concerts in Florida history.
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Redemption Songs April 12
The Bootlegging, Blues Singing Star of 1930s Prison Radio
Hattie Ellis was poised for post-prison fame. Then she encountered shotcallers who didn’t value her voice.
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Redemption Songs March 29
Stevie Wonder and James Brown Put This Prison Funk Band on the Map
The Power of Attorney played shows with superstars, went to industry parties, and wore outside clothes — all under the watch of armed guards.
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A black-and-white photo showing a White woman with a bouffant hairstyle singing into a microphone on the left side of the frame on the dirt grounds of a rodeo, while in the background are Black and White incarcerated men, wearing dark colored jackets, black ties and billowing white pants playing guitars and a drum. The drummer is wearing sunglasses, as a correctional officer stands guard behind him dressed in white and a cowboy hat with the brim upturned on both sides. In the distance, crowds sit in the stands.
Feature March 10
When Texas Was Fertile Ground for Prison Bands
Until the 1980s, an annual prison rodeo offered a chance for men inside to perform and sell albums. Now we’re making them available to you.
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A photo shows a tree in front of a college athletic field and building. Blue flowers, candles and memorial notes for Trey Reed surround the bottom of the tree.
Jackson November 4, 2025
Tree Hanging Death at Delta State University Raises Dread of Mississippi’s Past Lynchings
A Black freshman’s apparent suicide on campus is one of at least nine Black men who have been found hanging from trees since 2000.
By Lici Beveridge
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