Prison Phone Justice

by Douglas Ankney

In February 2024, Commissioners Lina Khan, Chair; Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, and Alvaro M. Bedoya of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) determined that the facts substantiated the allegations made against Respondents Global Tel Link Corporation (“GTL”); Telmate, LLC; and TouchPay Holdings, LLC (collectively “ViaPath” or “Respondents”). …

by Michael Thompson

The River North Center had been on lockdown for three months as of February 2026 due to the murder of a guard. Following the murder, John Holomon Russell was charged with aggravated murder, as well as the attempted murder of two other prison guards, and …

Two women allegedly used drones and plastic crows filled with contraband in an attempt to smuggle contraband into the United States Penitentiary, Pollock (USP Pollock) in Grant Parish, Louisiana. Melanie Worthington, 38, and Kassy Cole, 41, were arrested on March 9, 2026, after Grant Parish deputies intercepted the “birds,” …

Since 2023, nearly all of the more than 90,000 prisoners locked up by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) have been assigned a tablet that can make calls, receive messages, and access other apps. But currently, a massive shift is underway that is disrupting these services for …