skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, January 17, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal officially signed in Doha; Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems; Ohio Dems encourage community-focused people to run for office; in State of State address, GA Gov. Kemp proposes tax cuts, tort reform.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden highlights the challenges faced reaching a Gaza ceasefire, progressives urge action on the Equal Rights Amendment, the future of TikTok remains up in the air, and plans for protests build ahead of Trump's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"We can't eat gold," warn opponents of a proposed Alaskan gold mine who say salmon will be decimated. Ahead of what could be mass deportations, immigrants get training about their rights. And a national coalition grants money to keep local news afloat.

Report: MS prison policies only deepen inequality

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 24, 2024   

Being in prison has consequences stretching far beyond paying back a person's debt to society and a new report found it is even more true in Mississippi.

The Sentencing Project examined the ways mass incarceration policies hold people back from getting their lives on track, both before and after their time behind bars. It showed in Mississippi when someone is incarcerated, their ability to earn and save money, as well as help their family and pay restitution and fees, is significantly limited.

Nazgol Ghandnoosh, co-director of research for The Sentencing Project and co-author of the report, said the people who produce goods and services while they are in prison do not get a paycheck.

"In terms of pushing people to the margins of our society and deepening poverty, Mississippi is one of only seven states that do not compensate incarcerated people at all for the vast majority of jobs that they do behind bars," Ghandnoosh explained.

The report noted research has shown post-incarceration employment, access to food stamps, and voting rights all are associated with lower recidivism rates. The Magnolia State has one of the world's highest incarceration rates, at more than 1,000 per 100,000 population.

Ghandnoosh noted Mississippi is among a handful of states where more than 15% of the Black, voting-age population is unable to cast a ballot because of contact with the criminal legal system.

"We as an organization recommend never allowing criminal legal contact and a criminal record to affect people's rights of citizenship," Ghandnoosh stressed. "In particular, to affect their rights as a voter."

She added Mississippi is one of only three states where more than 8% of the total adult population is unable to vote due to a criminal record. Under current state law, during periods of incarceration, probation or parole, people are ineligible to vote. Their rights can only be restored through action by the governor, or passage of a bill in the Legislature.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Federal funds will help restore Flint Creek and Jefferson River in Western Montana, benefiting wildlife, including trout, bears and migratory birds. (Melnik/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

During President Joe Biden's final weeks in office, the Interior Department has announced $41 million in support of water resources and ecosystem …


Social Issues

play sound

Mississippi is embracing the future of artificial intelligence with Gov. Tate Reeves' executive order establishing a framework for its responsible …

play sound

More Michigan residents need access to affordable housing and health insurance, according to a lawmaker pushing for change. Rep. Carrie Rheingans…


The CDC says Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness, with about 260 fatalities per year. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Environment

play sound

Utility providers foresee a big rise in electricity demand which could lead to double-digit rate hikes if it is met with new natural gas-fired power p…

President-elect Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a fan of raw milk, which can contain dangerous pathogens and spread zoonotic diseases, like avian flu. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Social Issues

play sound

In Minnesota and Washington, D.C., marches will take place this weekend as President-elect Donald Trump nears the start of his second term. An …

Environment

play sound

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021