brian nam-sonenstein
@bson.bsky.social
senior editor & researcher @prisonpolicy.org; 1/2 of @beyondprisons.bsky.social; fmr editor and founder shadowproof.com
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
➡️ Our report, 'Bad Behavior,' gives the broadest review of prison disciplinary policies, drawing on original research + testimony from 47 currently incarcerated people, to provide an essential look at how prisons are run in the age of mass incarceration:
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/disc...
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/disc...
December 31, 2025 at 1:38 PM
➡️ Our report, 'Bad Behavior,' gives the broadest review of prison disciplinary policies, drawing on original research + testimony from 47 currently incarcerated people, to provide an essential look at how prisons are run in the age of mass incarceration:
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/disc...
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/disc...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Something that many (at least online) seem to forget it how high this man was flying in January and where he is now. Yes he is richer and still terrible but the Tesla protests pierced the sense that he was beyond reach. And that matters a lot. Thanks to everyone who joined those ongoing protests.
Elon Musk promised a lot of things by 2025
- colonists arriving on Mars
- xAI achieving AGI
- Tesla robotaxis serving half the U.S.
- completely driverless robotaxis
- a Tesla Roadster demo
- DOGE cutting trillions
none of them happened
mashable.com/article/elon-mus...
- colonists arriving on Mars
- xAI achieving AGI
- Tesla robotaxis serving half the U.S.
- completely driverless robotaxis
- a Tesla Roadster demo
- DOGE cutting trillions
none of them happened
mashable.com/article/elon-mus...
Everything Elon Musk promised in 2025, but didn't deliver
Musk is now infamous for his false promises, but even this is excessive.
mashable.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Something that many (at least online) seem to forget it how high this man was flying in January and where he is now. Yes he is richer and still terrible but the Tesla protests pierced the sense that he was beyond reach. And that matters a lot. Thanks to everyone who joined those ongoing protests.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
All of the "fentanyl exceptions" in criminal law -- eg harsher penalties, exclusion from discretionary relief, and special crimes ("murder by fentanyl distribution") really paved the way for this.
It's absolutely fascinating to me how all the drum banging about the only solution to fentanyl being police crackdowns has led to the War on Drugs becoming an actual hot war.
War on Drugs 2: CIA boogaloo
War on Drugs 2: CIA boogaloo
CIA behind strike at Venezuelan dock that Trump claims was used by drug smugglers, AP sources say
The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels.
apnews.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
All of the "fentanyl exceptions" in criminal law -- eg harsher penalties, exclusion from discretionary relief, and special crimes ("murder by fentanyl distribution") really paved the way for this.
as Trump begins paltry rural health grant program, it's important to remember:
- around 1/2 of all incarcerated ppl are held in rural areas,
- their available healthcare was already bad,
- the rural grant program is too small and poorly targeted, and
- this will devastate ppl in + out of lockup
- around 1/2 of all incarcerated ppl are held in rural areas,
- their available healthcare was already bad,
- the rural grant program is too small and poorly targeted, and
- this will devastate ppl in + out of lockup
Almost half of all incarcerated people are in rural jails and prisons and at risk of losing access to hospitals
The Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act will result in the closure of many rural hospitals, leaving people in the surrounding communities — including ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
as Trump begins paltry rural health grant program, it's important to remember:
- around 1/2 of all incarcerated ppl are held in rural areas,
- their available healthcare was already bad,
- the rural grant program is too small and poorly targeted, and
- this will devastate ppl in + out of lockup
- around 1/2 of all incarcerated ppl are held in rural areas,
- their available healthcare was already bad,
- the rural grant program is too small and poorly targeted, and
- this will devastate ppl in + out of lockup
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
My friends at @prisonpolicy.org do excellent work all of the time. This piece by @jkangbrown.bsky.social was stellar work.
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
Hiding in Plain Sight: How local jails obscure and facilitate mass deportation under Trump
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
My friends at @prisonpolicy.org do excellent work all of the time. This piece by @jkangbrown.bsky.social was stellar work.
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly the impact of the Republican megabill on rural hospitals. But the total Medicaid cut statewide is something like $385 million a year by my calculation.
December 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly the impact of the Republican megabill on rural hospitals. But the total Medicaid cut statewide is something like $385 million a year by my calculation.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
(Revised). Make no mistake - this program is inadequate to cover the Medicaid cuts imposed in the same bill. The $190m going to Maine is partly earmarked for new initiatives, and the funds that do offset cuts won’t reach all affected providers #mepolitics
December 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
(Revised). Make no mistake - this program is inadequate to cover the Medicaid cuts imposed in the same bill. The $190m going to Maine is partly earmarked for new initiatives, and the funds that do offset cuts won’t reach all affected providers #mepolitics
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
December 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
[screaming at the top of my lungs, once again] the fundamental technology of humanity is care
We didn't survive and thrive as a species because we had warriors or hunters - pretty much every omnivore can manage that.
We did so because we developed Grandmothers, and domesticated Dogs.
Community is what defines us as a species, and every "self-reliant" libertarian shitweasel be damned.
We did so because we developed Grandmothers, and domesticated Dogs.
Community is what defines us as a species, and every "self-reliant" libertarian shitweasel be damned.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
December 28, 2025 at 7:02 AM
[screaming at the top of my lungs, once again] the fundamental technology of humanity is care
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
OWNED is 50% off at Amazon, use that gift card you got for XMas.
Read the book that launched a single lawsuit!
Read the book that launched a single lawsuit!
Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left
is the story of the underreported and growing collusion between new wealth and new journalism. In recent years, right-wing billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks ha...
www.amazon.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
OWNED is 50% off at Amazon, use that gift card you got for XMas.
Read the book that launched a single lawsuit!
Read the book that launched a single lawsuit!
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The US has had the most combative, organized and social movement oriented working class in the West over the last fifteen years, there are whole national street mvmts people have completely forgotten about (OccupyICE, anybody?) and anyone who fails to name this assessing the political situation 🚮
I’ve said it and I believe it is true
There is a willful forgetting and suppression of the memory of the hundreds of protests that shook this nation for the past decade and a half. So while Canadians and European laypeople whine “Americans don’t do anything,” the Americans are actively suppressed
There is a willful forgetting and suppression of the memory of the hundreds of protests that shook this nation for the past decade and a half. So while Canadians and European laypeople whine “Americans don’t do anything,” the Americans are actively suppressed
December 28, 2025 at 4:01 AM
The US has had the most combative, organized and social movement oriented working class in the West over the last fifteen years, there are whole national street mvmts people have completely forgotten about (OccupyICE, anybody?) and anyone who fails to name this assessing the political situation 🚮
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Some ~personal news~
Yes, I'm being sued by Matt Taibbi
Does that make me the realest free speech warrior?
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Some ~personal news~
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Matt Taibbi is suing @eoinhiggins.bsky.social in a very dumb defamation suit.
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Complaint – #1 in Taibbi v. Higgins (S.D.N.Y., 1:25-cv-09511) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against BOLD TYPE BOOKS, Eoin Higgins. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-31994120)Document filed by Matt Taibbi..(Garson, Robert) (Entered: 11/13/2025)
storage.courtlistener.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Matt Taibbi is suing @eoinhiggins.bsky.social in a very dumb defamation suit.
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
42 Democrats voted for the Laken Riley Act knowing full well this was the plan.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses
The Trump administration wants to build seven large-scale deportation hubs to speed up deportations, internal ICE documents show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
42 Democrats voted for the Laken Riley Act knowing full well this was the plan.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Wait, also, did the lawyer writing this not understand what Higgins was saying? Because right now this read like “Higgins said X was true. In fact, it was.”
The only thing more insane than Matt Taibbi suing Eoin Higgins is Matt suing him for comparing him to Bari Weiss
December 24, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Wait, also, did the lawyer writing this not understand what Higgins was saying? Because right now this read like “Higgins said X was true. In fact, it was.”
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
OWNED is available online and wherever fine books are sold.
December 24, 2025 at 12:56 AM
OWNED is available online and wherever fine books are sold.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
This is a solid book btw if you need a last-minute gift (or if you get a gift certificate or something to use at a book seller)
OWNED is available online and wherever fine books are sold.
December 24, 2025 at 1:13 AM
This is a solid book btw if you need a last-minute gift (or if you get a gift certificate or something to use at a book seller)
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Now if we could just get people to view US prisons through the same lens they view CECOT.
December 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Now if we could just get people to view US prisons through the same lens they view CECOT.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The only thing more insane than Matt Taibbi suing Eoin Higgins is Matt suing him for comparing him to Bari Weiss
December 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The only thing more insane than Matt Taibbi suing Eoin Higgins is Matt suing him for comparing him to Bari Weiss
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Bari Weiss praised El Salvador's dictator before spiking '60 Minutes' story on his torture prison.
new w/ @premthakker.bsky.social @swin24.bsky.social @zeteo.com
zeteo.com/p/bari-weiss...
new w/ @premthakker.bsky.social @swin24.bsky.social @zeteo.com
zeteo.com/p/bari-weiss...
Bari Weiss Praised El Salvador’s Dictator Before Spiking '60 Minutes' Story on His Torture Prison
Weiss touted El Salvador’s brutal leader while her blog published jokes about Trump sending immigrants to the CECOT prison.
zeteo.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Bari Weiss praised El Salvador's dictator before spiking '60 Minutes' story on his torture prison.
new w/ @premthakker.bsky.social @swin24.bsky.social @zeteo.com
zeteo.com/p/bari-weiss...
new w/ @premthakker.bsky.social @swin24.bsky.social @zeteo.com
zeteo.com/p/bari-weiss...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Btw this is one of the biggest reasons why it’s not as easy as people think to start up independent newsrooms or just be an indie journalist on substack. If you are actually holding powerful and rich people to account, you WILL need legal representation. Not a matter of whether but when
I say that as someone who has started newsrooms from scratch sometimes with two people - if you’re doing your job correctly you will need a lawyer because the first thing rich people do when you write something they don’t like is threaten you legally. It’s cheap for them and expensive for you
December 23, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Btw this is one of the biggest reasons why it’s not as easy as people think to start up independent newsrooms or just be an indie journalist on substack. If you are actually holding powerful and rich people to account, you WILL need legal representation. Not a matter of whether but when
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
A whistleblower at USCIS alleges that the federal immigration agency is closing numerous Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for records in order to fake that it is complying with a court order. He has allegedly faced a gag order and retaliation. thedissenter.org/whistleblowe...
Whistleblower Exposes Anti-FOIA Scheme At US Immigration Agency
A “disabled Marine Corps infantry combat veteran" has allegedly faced a gag order and retaliation for dissenting against this policy
thedissenter.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A whistleblower at USCIS alleges that the federal immigration agency is closing numerous Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for records in order to fake that it is complying with a court order. He has allegedly faced a gag order and retaliation. thedissenter.org/whistleblowe...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
the least shocking thing in the epstein files that wont get enough attention. police regularly arrest and charge victims to coerce them into participating, often jailing them in conditions that are worse.
jesus the Palm Beach Police really sought arrest warrants against underage Epstein victims for coming forward and cooperating, and (purported) admitting to crimes, and it caused the victims to become uncooperative with the federal investigation
![. . . very cooperative, but the police at that point had to let [redacted] know that what she had done that she could be facing charges.
Q And that was after they had told her earlier that she didn't need an attorney present, correct?
A Exactly.
Q Okay. So this happens to her with the Palm Beach Police Department and did the Palm Beach Police actually present or propose charging [redacted]?
A They did get a probable cause affidavit against [redacted].
Q And is that why Ms. [redacted] and her attorney were concerned about her testimony here?
A Yes.
Q Now was a subpoena issued for Ms. [redacted] on behalf of this grand jury?
A Yes, it was.
Q And before Ms. [redacted] would comply with that, did she -- did her attorney request some sort of order?
A Yes.
Q And what did he ask for?
A He asked for immunity for [redacted].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eoss3vmzem55cm5kuddhdmwn/bafkreiariijffjjrgfh26o22jjr76pwprinvnbpkcho5lyi2sucfbqlooy@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 8:10 PM
the least shocking thing in the epstein files that wont get enough attention. police regularly arrest and charge victims to coerce them into participating, often jailing them in conditions that are worse.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
“Contrarian dilettantism” is a good description for a massive chunk of punditry and magazine writing, and the inability of most powerful people to distinguish lazy slop from valid description, analysis, and critique is part of what led to our stupid, enraging, self-inflicted polycrisis
The thing about that Graeme Wood article defending Weiss is that he *also* has never worked as a news editor, let alone a TV news editor. It’s bizarre contrarian dilettantism of a type the Atlantic is sadly prone to.
December 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“Contrarian dilettantism” is a good description for a massive chunk of punditry and magazine writing, and the inability of most powerful people to distinguish lazy slop from valid description, analysis, and critique is part of what led to our stupid, enraging, self-inflicted polycrisis
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The people who profited most from the cancel culture/free speech panic were less interested in actual freedom of speech than establishing their own control over public discourse. You don't even have to take my word for it. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The people who profited most from the cancel culture/free speech panic were less interested in actual freedom of speech than establishing their own control over public discourse. You don't even have to take my word for it. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...