Mike Wessler
@mikewessler.bsky.social
I run. I bake. I have two 🐕🐕. I do comms for @prisonpolicy.org but the views here are my own.
FL ➡️ MT ➡️ MA ➡️ NYC
FL ➡️ MT ➡️ MA ➡️ NYC
Reposted by Mike Wessler
The guy who famously crosses every border in one night without documentation?
ICE has posted a video of Santa Claus arresting immigrants. Your government is hijacking a symbol of charity to spread fear and hate. it’s up to all of us to defeat these twisted fascists.
December 23, 2025 at 1:13 AM
The guy who famously crosses every border in one night without documentation?
These under-the-radar decisions by @newyorkstateag.bsky.social's office show even those who say they are champions of a more just system won't do the most basic things to make it more just.
Her office doesn't have to have these cases dismissed. It is choosing to do so.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/22/p...
Her office doesn't have to have these cases dismissed. It is choosing to do so.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/22/p...
A Judge Tossed a Prison Sex Abuse Lawsuit Over Typos
The state plans to ask a court to dismiss some 500 prison sexual assault lawsuits for not strictly abiding by filing requirements.
nysfocus.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
These under-the-radar decisions by @newyorkstateag.bsky.social's office show even those who say they are champions of a more just system won't do the most basic things to make it more just.
Her office doesn't have to have these cases dismissed. It is choosing to do so.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/22/p...
Her office doesn't have to have these cases dismissed. It is choosing to do so.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/22/p...
Almost universally true that whether someone gets in trouble for a crime is less dependent on what they did, and more on how much power they have in society. Theft, drugs, violence, vandalism. Almost always true
Interesting to consider that if you were to go and deface the Kennedy center by removing Trump’s name, you’d be arrested and charged with a crime, but your act would be no more unlawful than what they’re doing right now.
NEWS: They're adding Trump's name to the Kennedy Center building right now. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
December 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Almost universally true that whether someone gets in trouble for a crime is less dependent on what they did, and more on how much power they have in society. Theft, drugs, violence, vandalism. Almost always true
Reposted by Mike Wessler
We were dead and now we're the hottest country in the world, the first country—quite frankly the only country—where a box of breakfast cereal costs $11. We're saying Merry Christmas, and also the r-slur, and we're getting back to saying "gay" so it means "stupid" again. Grown-ups are doing it now,
December 18, 2025 at 5:19 AM
We were dead and now we're the hottest country in the world, the first country—quite frankly the only country—where a box of breakfast cereal costs $11. We're saying Merry Christmas, and also the r-slur, and we're getting back to saying "gay" so it means "stupid" again. Grown-ups are doing it now,
Reposted by Mike Wessler
As Pres. Trump prepares to boast his administration's "accomplishments" from 2025, we want to highlight all the changes he's made to the U.S. criminal legal system this year. 🧵
Spoiler: It's really bad.
Spoiler: It's really bad.
December 18, 2025 at 1:50 AM
As Pres. Trump prepares to boast his administration's "accomplishments" from 2025, we want to highlight all the changes he's made to the U.S. criminal legal system this year. 🧵
Spoiler: It's really bad.
Spoiler: It's really bad.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
December 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
From @prisonpolicy.org: New analysis of government data from ICE via the Deportation Data Project shows federal agents reliant on local jails and police to reach their arrest numbers.
December 11, 2025 at 9:48 PM
From @prisonpolicy.org: New analysis of government data from ICE via the Deportation Data Project shows federal agents reliant on local jails and police to reach their arrest numbers.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
Really useful analysis of data to show how many people are going to ICE detention from local jails. These arrests are less visible to the public - as compared to raids or street arrests -- so we don't see the full scope.
From @prisonpolicy.org: New analysis of government data from ICE via the Deportation Data Project shows federal agents reliant on local jails and police to reach their arrest numbers.
December 11, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Really useful analysis of data to show how many people are going to ICE detention from local jails. These arrests are less visible to the public - as compared to raids or street arrests -- so we don't see the full scope.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
Can't believe we have to say this, but tampons aren't contraband.
And yet in NY state prisons, body scanners (that COs demanded) are picking up menstrual products, leaving people barred from visiting with their incarcerated loved ones.
And yet in NY state prisons, body scanners (that COs demanded) are picking up menstrual products, leaving people barred from visiting with their incarcerated loved ones.
State Prisons Are Turning Away Visitors After Scanners Pick Up Their…
Guards demanded body scanners to cut down on contraband. Now they’re turning visitors away over their hygiene and medical supplies.
nysfocus.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Can't believe we have to say this, but tampons aren't contraband.
And yet in NY state prisons, body scanners (that COs demanded) are picking up menstrual products, leaving people barred from visiting with their incarcerated loved ones.
And yet in NY state prisons, body scanners (that COs demanded) are picking up menstrual products, leaving people barred from visiting with their incarcerated loved ones.
This story takes a lot of turns, and every single one of them is bad. Women denied the ability to visit loved ones because they have tampons. Guards unwilling to be screened to prevent contraband from getting in prison. Bad all the way down.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/06/d...
@chrisgelardi.bsky.social
nysfocus.com/2025/12/06/d...
@chrisgelardi.bsky.social
State Prisons Are Turning Away Visitors After Scanners Pick Up Their…
Guards demanded body scanners to cut down on contraband. Now they’re turning visitors away over their hygiene and medical supplies.
nysfocus.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
This story takes a lot of turns, and every single one of them is bad. Women denied the ability to visit loved ones because they have tampons. Guards unwilling to be screened to prevent contraband from getting in prison. Bad all the way down.
nysfocus.com/2025/12/06/d...
@chrisgelardi.bsky.social
nysfocus.com/2025/12/06/d...
@chrisgelardi.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Wessler
We already knew this was a proactively pro-rape administration but still.
BREAKING: Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans & intersex people, memo says. A DOJ memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) do not align with Trump’s Jan. 20 anti-trans executive order, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
We already knew this was a proactively pro-rape administration but still.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
A lot of people do not want to hear that there is an intense pro-police and pro-prison turn among the left. E.g. the drive to limit the pardon power, which is the only way some people get any relief from excessive sentencing on the state and federal level.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
What Trump gets right and wrong about pardons
Pardons aren’t about helping political allies – they’re about bringing a measure of justice to an unjust system.
www.prisonpolicy.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A lot of people do not want to hear that there is an intense pro-police and pro-prison turn among the left. E.g. the drive to limit the pardon power, which is the only way some people get any relief from excessive sentencing on the state and federal level.
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/12...
Trump is a lot of things, but he’s not politically stupid. He knows that Mamdani’s policies are popular and wants to be associated with them. If he hugs the mayor-elect tight, he thinks people will think he cares about affordability, too.
Q: would you feel comfortable living in NYC under a Mamdani administration ?
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Trump is a lot of things, but he’s not politically stupid. He knows that Mamdani’s policies are popular and wants to be associated with them. If he hugs the mayor-elect tight, he thinks people will think he cares about affordability, too.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
Rather than trivializing how much toilet paper Ghislaine Maxwell has access to behind bars, remember that most incarcerated people have little to their name.
Toilet paper isn't a luxury – it's a basic necessity.
Toilet paper isn't a luxury – it's a basic necessity.
Apparently, Ghislaine Maxwell is living it up in prison with unlimited toilet paper. Here’s what we know about her alleged special privileges at her new federal prison camp in Texas.
Ghislaine Maxwell Is Living It Up With Unlimited Toilet Paper
What we know about the special privileges Epstein’s accomplice is reportedly receiving at her new federal prison camp in Texas.
nymag.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Rather than trivializing how much toilet paper Ghislaine Maxwell has access to behind bars, remember that most incarcerated people have little to their name.
Toilet paper isn't a luxury – it's a basic necessity.
Toilet paper isn't a luxury – it's a basic necessity.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
New: We analyzed prison rules and sanctions, and gathered accounts from incarcerated people, to reveal how DOCs use disciplinary policies to punish people for menstruating. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/11...
Menstruation as misconduct: How prisons punish people for having their periods
Our analysis of prison rules and sanctions across all fifty states and the federal system — as well as accounts of incarcerated people — reveal ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
New: We analyzed prison rules and sanctions, and gathered accounts from incarcerated people, to reveal how DOCs use disciplinary policies to punish people for menstruating. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Mike Wessler
I appreciate PPI's work so much.
and also wtf.
and also wtf.
New: We analyzed prison rules and sanctions, and gathered accounts from incarcerated people, to reveal how DOCs use disciplinary policies to punish people for menstruating. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/11...
Menstruation as misconduct: How prisons punish people for having their periods
Our analysis of prison rules and sanctions across all fifty states and the federal system — as well as accounts of incarcerated people — reveal ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I appreciate PPI's work so much.
and also wtf.
and also wtf.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Mike Wessler
People are very aware of how the Senate “works,” and that’s exactly why they are so angry
Durbin said critics of his vote “need to understand how the Senate works”
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
People are very aware of how the Senate “works,” and that’s exactly why they are so angry
If they do this, every Dem that votes for it needs to go, starting with Schumer.
BREAKING: Deal to end government shutdown in reach
Deal to end government shutdown in reach
At least 10 Senate Democrats are expected to support a key procedural motion.
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
If they do this, every Dem that votes for it needs to go, starting with Schumer.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
"While crime rates remain near historic lows, what has actually changed most is the public's perception of crime, which is driven less by first-hand experience or data than by the false claims of reform opponents. These false claims ... undo [our] hard-won, evidence supported, common sense reforms."
November 9, 2025 at 5:38 AM
"While crime rates remain near historic lows, what has actually changed most is the public's perception of crime, which is driven less by first-hand experience or data than by the false claims of reform opponents. These false claims ... undo [our] hard-won, evidence supported, common sense reforms."
Reposted by Mike Wessler
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to increase phone and video calling rate caps for incarcerated people.
In July we published dispatches about the necessity of phone calls, and how high costs — relative to extremely low prison wages — affect their connections to loved ones.
In July we published dispatches about the necessity of phone calls, and how high costs — relative to extremely low prison wages — affect their connections to loved ones.
Phone Calls Are a Lifeline in Prison, But They Are Expensive
A recent decision from the FCC will keep jail and prison phone calls more costly for at least the next couple years.
prisonjournalismproject.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to increase phone and video calling rate caps for incarcerated people.
In July we published dispatches about the necessity of phone calls, and how high costs — relative to extremely low prison wages — affect their connections to loved ones.
In July we published dispatches about the necessity of phone calls, and how high costs — relative to extremely low prison wages — affect their connections to loved ones.
The @washingtonpost.com says Mamdani is "fixated" on Israel. Its evidence?
When asked about Israel, he talks about affordability in NYC.
Such embarrassing stuff out of the Post every single day.
When asked about Israel, he talks about affordability in NYC.
Such embarrassing stuff out of the Post every single day.
November 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The @washingtonpost.com says Mamdani is "fixated" on Israel. Its evidence?
When asked about Israel, he talks about affordability in NYC.
Such embarrassing stuff out of the Post every single day.
When asked about Israel, he talks about affordability in NYC.
Such embarrassing stuff out of the Post every single day.
Reposted by Mike Wessler
With SNAP expiring, at least one Calif community is responding not by helping people get food, but by threatening hungry people with arrest
This is what we mean when we say policing is a policy choice that creates crime
Here’s the math that proves it 🧵
This is what we mean when we say policing is a policy choice that creates crime
Here’s the math that proves it 🧵
California police boost patrols at grocery stores as millions set to lose SNAP benefits
Over 5.5 million Californians, including 2 million children, are set to lose their SNAP benefits this Saturday.
www.foxla.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 PM
With SNAP expiring, at least one Calif community is responding not by helping people get food, but by threatening hungry people with arrest
This is what we mean when we say policing is a policy choice that creates crime
Here’s the math that proves it 🧵
This is what we mean when we say policing is a policy choice that creates crime
Here’s the math that proves it 🧵
Why are people pissed?
Left: Billionaires spent $40+ million to elect Cuomo
Right: Hochul declares a state of emergency & allocates $65 million to feed people who might otherwise starve
Imagine if the billionaires chose to do something good with their $$$, rather than protecting their wallets
Left: Billionaires spent $40+ million to elect Cuomo
Right: Hochul declares a state of emergency & allocates $65 million to feed people who might otherwise starve
Imagine if the billionaires chose to do something good with their $$$, rather than protecting their wallets
October 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Why are people pissed?
Left: Billionaires spent $40+ million to elect Cuomo
Right: Hochul declares a state of emergency & allocates $65 million to feed people who might otherwise starve
Imagine if the billionaires chose to do something good with their $$$, rather than protecting their wallets
Left: Billionaires spent $40+ million to elect Cuomo
Right: Hochul declares a state of emergency & allocates $65 million to feed people who might otherwise starve
Imagine if the billionaires chose to do something good with their $$$, rather than protecting their wallets
Reposted by Mike Wessler
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵