Walter Pavlo

Prediction Markets Are Crossing a Dangerous Line On April 23, federal prosecutors quietly crossed a legal threshold that has been looming for years.

The Bureau of Prisons adopted the implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) with lofty goals. A GAO report shows how far short the act has fallen.

The idea that criminal justice reform is solely a liberal project has never been entirely accurate.

Presidential pardons have always drawn attention. But what most people are focused on may not be the most consequential part of the story.

The Bureau of Prisons is embracing the use of AI to help it manage its facilities. A large contract is telling about the direction the Agency is heading.

The Inspection They Knew Was Coming When inspectors from the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) arrived at U.S.

Compassionate release has long been a narrow but morally significant corner of the federal criminal justice system.

The First Step Act was passed in 2018 with rare bipartisan support and a clear promise. Reduce recidivism, expand rehabilitation, and lower the cost of incarceration.

New research underscores that incarceration leaves a profound, lasting biological imprint, significantly impacting health decades after release. A Prison Policy Initiative analysis highlights studies linking prior incarceration to shorter life expectancies and an 88% higher risk of premature death in older adults. Formerly incarcerated individuals live nearly six fewer years, a gap approaching eight years for men aged 50-75. This accelerated aging stems from institutional stressors, inadequate medical care, and persistent post-release barriers like housing and employment discrimination. Experts now emphasize viewing incarceration as a critical public health concern, urging systemic changes to address its long-term consequences on a rapidly aging population.

Faith-based programs are increasingly recognized as a vital, though debated, component of prison rehabilitation, moving beyond traditional education and therapy. Despite concerns about church-state separation, evidence suggests these initiatives significantly aid incarcerated individuals in finding purpose, accountability, and hope. Studies, like Baylor University's research on the InnerChange program, show participants experience substantially lower recidivism rates, fostering personal transformation and new identities. These programs act as a powerful catalyst, reinforcing other rehabilitation efforts by motivating inmates towards positive change. Federal Bureau of Prisons leadership supports these efforts, acknowledging their role in providing community and redemption, addressing persistent correctional challenges, and helping inmates overcome past mistakes for successful reentry.