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Medical Treatment in Prison

A collage shows images of waves, a woman's chest, a person wearing sterile gloves while holding a syringe, a stethoscope, pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness. A microscopic image of breast cancer cells is shown on the right of the collage.
Life Inside October 16
In Prison, Pink Ribbons Are Rare
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but comprehensive breast cancer care is sorely lacking in Texas prisons.
By Kwaneta Harris
An illustration with a periwinkle blue background shows, at center, an incarcerated person in a coral uniform curled up holding his stomach. Surrounding him are giant examples of different kinds of food in shades of orange, coral and peach, including boxes of cereal, a carrot, ham, a taco shell, a slice of cheese, and ketchup. A fork, knife and cafeteria tray also float nearby.
Life Inside September 18
Taking GLP-1 Shots in Prison? Yes, But It’s Complicated.
Muscle loss is a side effect of the GLP-1 my doctor prescribed. But many of the protein-rich foods that rebuild it are banned in New York prisons.
By Devin A Giordano
A collage shows photographs of a stack of white papers; a White man in a blue prison uniform hugging his mother; a necklace with an orange guitar pick; and two men playing their guitars. Other digital images in the collage include clouds, a chain-link fence, and cardboard texture.
Life Inside September 11
The Mourning After
From concealing causes of death to delaying memorials, prisons treat people passing away like business as usual.
by Phillip Luna
A video still shows a cell door in a prison hallway. A fire can be seen inside through the cell's window.
Analysis August 11
Why Did an Illinois Prison Fail to Stop 70 Fires?
Three key takeaways from our investigation of the epidemic of fires at the Joliet Treatment Center.
By
A video still shows firefighters standing in a prison hallway. A cell door with black soot is open on the left.
News August 4
Illinois Lawmakers Decry Prison’s ‘Gut-Wrenching,’ ‘Heartbreaking’ Conditions
After The Marshall Project found scores of fires set by men at a Joliet prison, legislators want improved fire safety and mental health treatment.
By
An illustration shows flames behind a prison cell door as smoke billows into a green hallway.
Feature July 24
A Prison on Fire
Designed to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.
By
An illustration with a purple background shows a woman rubbing her neck because of aches and pains. To her right is a setting sun in orange that blends into her right arm.
News July 22
Guide: How to Navigate Perimenopause and Menopause in Prison
Experiencing perimenopause and menopause in prison can be difficult. Here is some practical advice from medical experts and from incarcerated women who have done it.
By Kwaneta Harris and
An illustration shows three people on patient beds inside a dark room, with the orange sky visible through the window. On the right side, there are dark silhouettes of dialysis machines and tubes with puddles of water on the floor.
Feature December 16, 2025
Women Are Sent to This Federal Prison for Dialysis. They Say It’s Killing Them.
Patients at Carswell medical prison in Texas describe unsanitary conditions, missed treatments and substandard care.
By Kaley Johnson
[Use this form](https://airtable.com/appR7SW9BhPZGdXp9/pagDZ0cMp3LJ9uimP/form) to tell us about how menopause and perimenopause affects women behind bars.
Get Involved December 16, 2025
What’s It Like to Go Through Menopause in Prison? We Want to Know
Your insights will help inform a guide about the critical life stage that we’ll share with incarcerated people.
By
A person wearing a blue medical gown is holding a breathing tube while lying on a hospital bed. A handcuff is locked onto a bar of the bed.
Closing Argument December 13, 2025
What’s So Scary About Treatable Conditions Behind Bars?
Medicines, procedures, and specialists can be scarce in prison, or people don’t get them until it’s too late.
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