Listen to Prisoncast!, a radio show for people in Illinois prisons and their loved ones
This September’s Prisoncast! special gets into atonement and forgiveness, commissary prices and tips for parents of incarcerated children.
Prisoncast!
Prisoncast! is a special audio project for people inside Illinois prisons and their loved ones on the outside. Produced by WBEZ, Vocalo Radio and Illinois Public Radio, the show airs on public radio stations across Illinois. Listen for the Prisoncast! holiday special from 2-3PM CT on Sunday, Dec. 17th, and listen back to the September show below. Want to learn more? Email us at prisoncast@wbez.org.
Featured
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Got a loved one in an Illinois prison? Here are 21 resources for you.
Lots of groups serve people in Illinois prisons and their families. Here’s what some of them do, and how you can contact them.
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What to expect when your loved one gets out of prison
La Tanya Jenifor-Sublett was released from prison a decade ago. Despite having years to prepare, her transition back was not easy.
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What’s the future of parole and clemency in Illinois?
Dozens of people in prison wrote to WBEZ’s Prisoncast! asking for updates on efforts to expand parole and clemency in Illinois. Here’s what we learned.
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Why inflation price hikes are even worse behind bars
An additional “tax” on commissary goods means incarcerated people are paying far more for staple items like peanut butter and soap, a Marshall Project analysis found.
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Dying and disabled Illinois prisoners kept behind bars, despite new medical release law
Lawmakers said hundreds would be released thanks to the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act. But so far, just 52 have gotten out.
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Illinois prisons need $2.5 billion in repairs, and that’s just the beginning
Mold, leaky roofs, sewage backups, unsafe drinking water and raccoon infestations are at the top of the list. Next up: dire staffing shortages and an aging population.
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Civil rights lawyers call on Illinois to abandon for-profit prison health care
The state has paid Wexford Health Sources more than $1 billion, but about half the medical positions are unfilled. As their contract expires, lawmakers hear calls for change.
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Prisoncast! 2022: Marvin Gaye, roller coasters and tips for parents in prison
Listen live at 2pm CT on Aug. 28th, when WBEZ is partnering with Illinois Public Radio stations across the state on a special radio event to serve people inside and their loved ones outside!
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Latest
![]()
What’s the future of parole and clemency in Illinois?
Dozens of people in prison wrote to WBEZ’s Prisoncast! asking for updates on efforts to expand parole and clemency in Illinois. Here’s what we learned.
![]()
What to expect when your loved one gets out of prison, from someone who lived it
La Tanya Jenifor-Sublett was released from prison a decade ago. Despite having years to prepare, her transition back was not easy.
![]()
Why inflation price hikes are even worse behind bars
An additional “tax” on commissary goods means incarcerated people are paying far more for staple items like peanut butter and soap, a Marshall Project analysis found.
![]()
Got a loved one in an Illinois prison? Here are 20 resources for you.
Lots of groups serve people in Illinois prisons and their families. Here’s what some of them do, and how you can contact them.
![]()
Civil rights lawyers call on Illinois to abandon for-profit prison health care
The state has paid Wexford Health Sources more than $1 billion, but about half the medical positions are unfilled. As their contract expires, lawmakers hear calls for change.
![]()
Listen back to Prisoncast!, a radio show for people in Illinois prisons and their loved ones
This September’s Prisoncast! special gets into atonement and forgiveness, commissary prices and tips for parents of incarcerated children.
![]()
Prisoncast: Listen to a special radio event on Aug. 28th for people in Illinois prisons!
Listen live at 2pm CT on Aug. 28th, when WBEZ is partnering with Illinois Public Radio stations across the state on a special radio event to serve people inside and their loved ones outside!