The Vera Institute of Justice hosted this conversation between two people on the front lines of the movement to rethink solitary confinement in the U.S.—and the potential for reform.
Moderator
Bill Keller, The Marshall Project
Speakers
Commissioner W. David Guice
Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Danny Murillo
Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow, The Opportunity Institute
Common Misconceptions and Emerging Safe Alternatives
While the precise number of people held on any given day in what’s commonly called solitary confinement—though also known as segregated or restricted housing—is not known with any certainty, estimates run between 80,000 to 100,000 in state and federal prisons. However, evidence mounts that the practice produces many unwanted and harmful outcomes—fo ...
As the school year begins, one mother shares practical advice for maintaining strong relationships with children when families are separated by incarceration.
For parents, incarceration ultimately means separation, and we find ourselves wishing we could make up for the countless missed moments with our children. The percentage of school-aged children in the United States who have experienced parental incarceration is 6 percent—about 4.2 million children. These children aren’t asking for a perfect parent; ...
Two incarcerated interns reflect on finding purpose, professionalism, and possibility through Vera.
Interning while incarcerated is an experience few people have the opportunity to talk about. This summer, we joined the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) as incarcerated interns, contributing to individual projects while navigating the realities of prison life. Although we shared the same goal of gaining experience in the social justice work environ ...