RATTLING THE BARS
Rattling the Bars, co-hosted by former Black Panthers and political prisoners Marshall “Eddie” Conway and Charles Hopkins, better known as Mansa Musa, puts the voices of the people most harmed by our system of mass incarceration at the center of our reporting on the fight to end it.
Rattling the Bars offers an honest look at the lives of prisoners, returning citizens, their families, and their communities. With Rattling the Bars, by presenting hard data and real-life stories, we examine and seek to shift public opinion around the misconception that incarceration, punishment, and increased policing make cities safer—the truth of which has been disproven by countless studies. The series examines the history and root causes of the current so-called justice system. It showcases individuals and communities nationwide who are grappling with real solutions to problems created by the prison-industrial complex.
Latest episode
New jails are popping up coast to coast. These activists share how to fight back.
After over a decade of mass protest against prisons and police, carceral expansion shows few signs of slowing down.
Recent episodes
These women are fighting Nevada’s prison system—and winning
Founded by women with incarcerated loved ones in Nevada’s prison system, Return Strong is fighting mass incarceration in a state dominated by prison interests.
“We not going anywhere”: Carrying on MLK’s legacy, 50 years later
In 2018, TRNN hosted a special event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring speeches by Nina Turner, Danny Glover, and Eddie Conway.
Louisiana to imprison juveniles at Angola Prison’s death row
A new report shows the state is in the process of transferring at least 20 incarcerated minors to be housed at death row units in various facilities.
The holidays are the most painful time of year to be behind bars
Every holiday season, prisoners suffer spikes in suicides, violence, and depression. Eddie Conway, who spent 44 years locked up, explains what people on the outside can do to help.
2022 was Rikers Island’s deadliest year. Again.
19 people have died in New York City’s notorious pretrial detention center. Advocates are calling for a court-appointed federal receivership to intervene.
How private developers profited from tax subsidies in Baltimore intended to revitalize poor neighborhoods
The new documentary ‘Tax Broke’ explores how subsidies that were supposed to reverse Baltimore’s fortunes transferred taxpayer money into the pockets of the rich while leaving the city no better off.
After 26 years in prison, Cambodian refugee Phoeun You was supposed to be paroled. ICE deported him instead.
Phoeun You says he has never received an official reason for his deportation, and has requested a pardon from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
El Salvador’s history shows migration isn’t the problem, imperialism is
Journalist Roberto Lovato’s first memoir recounts the story of his family through the crucible of US imperialism and El Salvador’s revolutionary history.
Modern US prison slavery is bigger than the 13th Amendment
25 state constitutions also uphold the exception that slavery remains legal when used as punishment for a crime.
It’s time to legalize marijuana
Uneven and contradictory cannabis laws are disproportionately used to lock up the poor and people of color. It’s time for federal intervention.
San Quentin Prison is a COVID deathtrap
California is regularly testing and quarantining prisoners at San Quentin, but prisoners say the policy isn’t enough to overcome atrocious sanitation and overcrowding.
Cholera outbreak in Haiti’s prisons amid national protests against Henry government
Advocates are calling on the US and Haitian governments to immediately cease US deportations to Haiti, and release the 3,000 prisoners held in the cholera-affected National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince.
Alabama prison strike enters seventh day
Incarcerated workers at all major prison facilities in Alabama are on strike against poor living conditions, violence from guards, and draconian state parole and sentencing laws.
Booming rural county jails are now the main driver of mass incarceration, study says
Discussing the new Vera Institute report, Stephen Janis and Taya Graham of Police Accountability Report also note the rural jail boom goes hand in hand with skyrocketing rural police budgets.
Wrongfully imprisoned for 26 years, Lacino Hamilton tells his story
After being wrongfully incarcerated at the age of 19, Lacino Hamilton fought to free himself through journalism, and by educating himself and his fellow prisoners.
Why unions can’t ignore incarcerated workers
Prisoners today are fighting the same labor conditions behind bars that birthed the union movement in the 19th Century.
Black August and the fight to free political prisoners
Jericho Movement activists fighting for the release of freedom fighters from US prisons speak on the meaning and purpose of Black August.
Repurposing prisons can revitalize rural America
Over 21 states have closed prisons since 2000. Yet without plans to repurpose prison buildings, many revert to correctional facilities.
Advocates demand Israel end solitary confinement of Ahmad Manasra, imprisoned at 13
Now 20, Manasra has spent a third of his life in prison. A hearing on Aug. 16 will determine whether to release him from seven months of solitary confinement.
Without A/C, Texas prisons are reaching 110 degrees
A recent study from Texas A&M University found many prisoners fear the heat will kill them. Authorities are doing little to provide relief.
Mutulu Shakur denied compassionate release despite terminal cancer diagnosis
Prison doctors say the lifelong revolutionary, healer, and stepfather of Tupac Shakur has less than six months to live. Organizers are making a final push to secure his compassionate release.
Virginia revokes early release for inmates with good behavior
A new state law nullifies good behavior credits for early release earned by some inmates over decades of time served. Families that were on the verge of being reunited say it’s a devastating blow.
Chris Hedges on trauma and teaching writing in prison
In a special crossover episode, Chris Hedges joins Mansa Musa on Rattling the Bars to discuss his new book, “Our Class: Trauma and Transformation in an American Prison.”
New York prisons ban care packages containing food
New York state’s new regulations are forcing families to buy third-party care packages from pre-approved vendors. Families say the new policy is “retaliation” and a way to squeeze more profits from incarcerated people and their loved ones.
How Maryland is preventing prisoners from getting college degrees
“Atiba” Demetrius Brown is taking correspondence courses while incarcerated in Maryland, but because of a new decree by the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, he can’t take his exams.
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