Countless reports by the United Nations, Amnesty International and human rights groups have detailed allegations of inhumane conditions inside Egypt’s prison cells.
The government refutes the claims, saying they’re politically motivated and based on fake accounts. But it’s also refused to give numbers for the amount of people locked up.
It’s now open ... Show More
Aug 20
Focus on Africa: Increased concerns over missing Ethiopia journalists
Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have ... Show More
27m 44s
Mar 2022
What’s behind Nigeria’s prison breaks?
Nigeria is facing an epidemic: Thousands of people have escaped from Nigerian correctional facilities, also known as prisons, jails, or custodial centers, since 2010. And the problem only seems to be growing. So what's behind the spate of prison breaks? And what do those jailbrea ... Show More
16m 21s
Feb 2023
How a 7-Year Prison Sentence Turns Into Over 100
WBEZ reporter Shannon Heffernan brings us the story of Anthony Gay, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on a parole violation but ended up with 97 years added to his sentence. Gay lives with serious mental illness, and after time in solitary confinement, he began to act ou ... Show More
50m 34s
Apr 2021
A Ramadan campaign to free US Muslims behind bars
Innocent until proven guilty is a bedrock of the US legal system. But right now, hundreds of thousands of people are sitting in jail, waiting for trial. For many of them, the only thing that’s keeping them behind bars during a deadly pandemic is a lack of money to pay bail. So ho ... Show More
18m 46s
Feb 2023
Inside Story: Life in Prison, As Told by Formerly Incarcerated People
For people who have not experienced it, life in prison can seem unimaginable. So reporters who have themselves been incarcerated can offer an important perspective when covering the prison system. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Lawrence Bartley, host of the new series Inside Story ... Show More
10m 40s