Aug 14 Uncategorized Student Journalists Document The Pandemic in Appalachia “Hello,” the call began. “This is a prepaid debit call from an inmate at the Virginia Department of Corrections.” Madison Buchanan, a 19-year-old college student, pressed 0 to accept the call and was connected to Jacob Alan Shouse, Offender Number 1101441. “I want to thank you so much for helping me out with this,” Buchanan […] By Sydney Boles Aug 14 Uncategorized Student Journalists Document The Pandemic in Appalachia Sydney Boles
Jun 12 Health These Three Factors Are Driving Many COVID-19 Outbreaks In Rural Communities As the economies of the Ohio Valley gradually reopen from the pandemic closures, state officials are still reporting hundreds of coronavirus cases each day in the region. In Kentucky, coronavirus cases are again on the rise, with a week-long average of daily cases approaching the highest level yet. Public health officials are concerned about a […] By Liam Niemeyer Jun 12 Health These Three Factors Are Driving Many COVID-19 Outbreaks In Rural Communities Liam Niemeyer
Oct 18 Economy Kentucky Adding Prison Space To Relieve Inmate Overcrowding Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin announced Friday that an empty, privately-owned prison in Wheelwright, Kentucky, will soon hold 650-medium security inmates. Bevin said re-opening the prison will save millions of dollars in construction costs and help alleviate jail overcrowding largely driven by the state’s opioid crisis. The state currently has 24,000 offenders. According to a press […] By Mary Meehan Oct 18 Economy Kentucky Adding Prison Space To Relieve Inmate Overcrowding Mary Meehan
Jun 13 Economy Feds Cite Environmental Challenges, Stall East Kentucky Prison Project A federal agency confirmed Wednesday plans to withdraw its commitment to build a new prison in eastern Kentucky. “Given new information received, additional analysis should be undertaken to determine if there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns on the proposed action,” the BOP said in the email to the Ohio Valley […] By Sydney Boles Jun 13 Economy Feds Cite Environmental Challenges, Stall East Kentucky Prison Project Sydney Boles
Mar 18 Economy Trump Budget Proposal Cuts Funds for Hal Rogers’ Prison Project The Trump Administration released on Monday details of a 2020 federal budget proposal that includes cutting funds allotted for a new federal prison in eastern Kentucky. The funds would be redirected to other law-enforcement or natural security priorities, potentially including a wall at the southern U.S. border. The proposed cut rebukes arguments made by Congressman […] By Sydney Boles Mar 18 Economy Trump Budget Proposal Cuts Funds for Hal Rogers’ Prison Project Sydney Boles
Mar 5 Economy Profiting Off Prisoners: State Inmates Mean Big Bucks for Local Jails Rural jails in Kentucky are increasingly relying on income derived from payments for holding state prisoners in county facilities, according to a new report by a think tank that advocates for criminal justice reform. To address overcrowding, states make payments to counties to hold convicted prisoners and pretrial detainees. States save money, and counties get […] By Sydney Boles Mar 5 Economy Profiting Off Prisoners: State Inmates Mean Big Bucks for Local Jails Sydney Boles
Apr 4 Economy Eastern Kentucky Prison Moves Forward As Opponents Consider Challenge The Bureau of Prisons has issued a record of decision signaling that it is moving ahead with plans to build a federal prison on the site of a former strip mine in the hills of Letcher County, Kentucky. But local opponents of the prison say they’re not giving up and are considering a legal challenge […] By Benny Becker Apr 4 Economy Eastern Kentucky Prison Moves Forward As Opponents Consider Challenge Benny Becker
Jul 29 Economy The Prison Builder’s Dilemma: Economics And Ethics Clash In Eastern Kentucky You are Letcher County, Kentucky. You are rural, mountainous, and in the heart of the central Appalachian coalfields. Your economy is not in good shape. Fox News has called your largest town “the poster child for the war on coal.” You are offered funds to build a new federal prison. It could bring jobs but […] By Benny Becker Jul 29 Economy The Prison Builder’s Dilemma: Economics And Ethics Clash In Eastern Kentucky Benny Becker