Michele Deitch
@micheledeitch.bsky.social
Director, Prison and Jail Innovation Lab (@PJInnovationLab); faculty @TheLBJSchool & @UTexasLaw; research prison policy, correctional oversight, prison conditions, deaths in custody, and youth justice
Proud to serve as the new Chair of the Int’l Experts Network on Prison Oversight and Human Rights for the International Corrections and Prisons Assn (ICPA). Presenting in Istanbul, Turkey at the Annual Conference.
@pjil.bsky.social
@utexaslaw.bsky.social
@pjil.bsky.social
@utexaslaw.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Proud to serve as the new Chair of the Int’l Experts Network on Prison Oversight and Human Rights for the International Corrections and Prisons Assn (ICPA). Presenting in Istanbul, Turkey at the Annual Conference.
@pjil.bsky.social
@utexaslaw.bsky.social
@pjil.bsky.social
@utexaslaw.bsky.social
Four deaths in two weeks: What’s behind the surge in violence at one Texas prison
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
Texas prison violence hits 10-year high. Is a drug crackdown making it worse?
Texas prison violence reached its highest level in at least a decade, prompting a monthslong lockdown in 19 lockups this summer.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Four deaths in two weeks: What’s behind the surge in violence at one Texas prison
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
Reposted by Michele Deitch
The Progressive Scandinavian Prison Model Comes to an Idaho Prison.
The Progressive Scandinavian Prison Model Comes to an Idaho Prison
Idaho Prison administration traveled overseas and brought back a new plan for state prisons.
prisonjournalismproject.org
July 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The Progressive Scandinavian Prison Model Comes to an Idaho Prison.
Important explainer about investigations of deaths behind bars in Ohio.
I wrote about the steps local, state and federal agencies are supposed to take when someone dies in a jail in Ohio.
We also included what records in those investigations should be available to the public.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/07/24/c...
We also included what records in those investigations should be available to the public.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/07/24/c...
What Happens When Someone Dies in an Ohio Jail
In Cuyahoga County, a jail death triggers mandatory investigations. Here’s what all Ohio sheriffs are supposed to do, and how to check their work.
www.themarshallproject.org
July 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Important explainer about investigations of deaths behind bars in Ohio.
No shackles, no cuffs: Texas death row loosens solitary confinement for first time in years. Kudos to @tdcj.bsky.social for this new initiative.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
Texas is trying a new kind of death row – one with a sense of community
A new program in the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, allows death row prisoners to mingle outside of solitary confinement.
www.houstonchronicle.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
No shackles, no cuffs: Texas death row loosens solitary confinement for first time in years. Kudos to @tdcj.bsky.social for this new initiative.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...
If you want to know more abt this issue, check out the Proceedings from last year’s Deaths in Custody conference organized by the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab @pjil.bsky.social : pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/events/death...
July 1, 2025 at 5:23 AM
If you want to know more abt this issue, check out the Proceedings from last year’s Deaths in Custody conference organized by the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab @pjil.bsky.social : pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/events/death...
Reposted by Michele Deitch
To learn more about correctional oversight, consider @micheledeitch.bsky.social's wonderful resource: prisonoversight.org
Home - NRCCO
Making prisons and jails transparent and accountable. A one-stop shop to learn what correctional oversight looks like and how to[...]
prisonoversight.org
May 28, 2025 at 8:07 PM
To learn more about correctional oversight, consider @micheledeitch.bsky.social's wonderful resource: prisonoversight.org
I was on
@TexasStandard today talking about two bad juv justice bills working their way through #TXLege. One bill would send more young kids to adult prisons; the other cuts off advocates’ access to juv facilities. They roll back 18 yrs of reforms.
www.texasstandard.org/stories/texa...
@TexasStandard today talking about two bad juv justice bills working their way through #TXLege. One bill would send more young kids to adult prisons; the other cuts off advocates’ access to juv facilities. They roll back 18 yrs of reforms.
www.texasstandard.org/stories/texa...
Texas lawmakers are considering a law that would make it easier for minors to go to adult prisons
Experts worry this punishment will lead to worse outcomes for kids who are transferred to adult facilities.
www.texasstandard.org
May 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I was on
@TexasStandard today talking about two bad juv justice bills working their way through #TXLege. One bill would send more young kids to adult prisons; the other cuts off advocates’ access to juv facilities. They roll back 18 yrs of reforms.
www.texasstandard.org/stories/texa...
@TexasStandard today talking about two bad juv justice bills working their way through #TXLege. One bill would send more young kids to adult prisons; the other cuts off advocates’ access to juv facilities. They roll back 18 yrs of reforms.
www.texasstandard.org/stories/texa...
Reposted by Michele Deitch
Even if they rarely lead to consequences for staff, outside investigations into deaths in jails often still document information that families need to pursue wrongful death lawsuits or uncover evidence that contradicts jailers’ account of what happened. boltsmag.org/texas-j...
Officials Play “Accountability Ping Pong” With Jail Deaths in Texas
A bipartisan push for more oversight comes after a sheriff flouted state law mandating independent investigations of jail deaths.
boltsmag.org
April 30, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Even if they rarely lead to consequences for staff, outside investigations into deaths in jails often still document information that families need to pursue wrongful death lawsuits or uncover evidence that contradicts jailers’ account of what happened. boltsmag.org/texas-j...
“Without an independent investigation, the public and policymakers would never know that the so-called ‘natural death’ was attributable to something jail staff did or didn’t do, and there would be no guidance as to how such deaths could be prevented in the future.”—Michele Deitch
A 40-year-old man died from dehydration in 2022 after being detained for more than two months inside the Tarrant County jail, one of at least three people with documented mental illness to die of thirst in the jail’s custody in recent years. boltsmag.org/texas-j...
Officials Play “Accountability Ping Pong” With Jail Deaths in Texas
A bipartisan push for more oversight comes after a sheriff flouted state law mandating independent investigations of jail deaths.
boltsmag.org
April 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“Without an independent investigation, the public and policymakers would never know that the so-called ‘natural death’ was attributable to something jail staff did or didn’t do, and there would be no guidance as to how such deaths could be prevented in the future.”—Michele Deitch
Just because a jail death is “natural” doesn’t mean “there is nothing to see here,” as some jail officials would have you believe. EVERY jail death should be independently investigated.
an infuriating story here by @sophienovack.bsky.social on TX officials dodging responsibility for their years-long failure to follow the Sandra Bland Act, a law mandating outside investigations of jail deaths so that sheriffs don’t investigate themselves
boltsmag.org/texas-jail-d...
boltsmag.org/texas-jail-d...
Officials Play “Accountability Ping Pong” With Jail Deaths in Texas - Bolts
A bipartisan push for jail oversight comes after a North Texas sheriff flouted state law mandating independent investigations of deaths on his watch.
boltsmag.org
April 22, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Just because a jail death is “natural” doesn’t mean “there is nothing to see here,” as some jail officials would have you believe. EVERY jail death should be independently investigated.
"The State Commission on Correction looks really good on paper, but it doesn't do most of the things that it says it does." --Michele Deitch, #PrisonandJailInnovationLab
As Deaths Mount in New York Jails & Prisons, Advocates Rally for Oversight @nysfocus.bksy.social
nysfocus.com/2025/03/29/s...
As Deaths Mount in New York Jails & Prisons, Advocates Rally for Oversight @nysfocus.bksy.social
nysfocus.com/2025/03/29/s...
Advocates Rally as Deaths Mount in New York Jails and Prisons
They want to beef up the powerful but little-known State Commission of Correction.
nysfocus.com
March 29, 2025 at 9:54 PM
"The State Commission on Correction looks really good on paper, but it doesn't do most of the things that it says it does." --Michele Deitch, #PrisonandJailInnovationLab
As Deaths Mount in New York Jails & Prisons, Advocates Rally for Oversight @nysfocus.bksy.social
nysfocus.com/2025/03/29/s...
As Deaths Mount in New York Jails & Prisons, Advocates Rally for Oversight @nysfocus.bksy.social
nysfocus.com/2025/03/29/s...
Galveston Sheriff trying to be the next Sheriff Joe, apparently.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
Galveston County Jail issues pink jumpsuits to discourage recidivism; expert doubts effectiveness | Houston Public Media
The county south of Houston is replacing its green inmate uniforms with "safety pink" in an attempt to discourage recidivism, enhance visibility for corrections officers and create a “calming atmosphe...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
February 28, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Galveston Sheriff trying to be the next Sheriff Joe, apparently.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
Reposted by Michele Deitch
Four people have died in the Shelby Co Jail in the last two weeks. That's nothing new for this facility and its leadership.
In 2023, we explored this topic with @micheledeitch.bsky.social, a leading expert on in-custody deaths, in Ep. 54 of The Permanent Record. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
In 2023, we explored this topic with @micheledeitch.bsky.social, a leading expert on in-custody deaths, in Ep. 54 of The Permanent Record. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
The Permanent Record
Government Podcast · 62 Episodes · Updated Monthly
podcasts.apple.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Four people have died in the Shelby Co Jail in the last two weeks. That's nothing new for this facility and its leadership.
In 2023, we explored this topic with @micheledeitch.bsky.social, a leading expert on in-custody deaths, in Ep. 54 of The Permanent Record. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
In 2023, we explored this topic with @micheledeitch.bsky.social, a leading expert on in-custody deaths, in Ep. 54 of The Permanent Record. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
One reason why bills to create #prisonoversight are getting so popular? As I said to @stateline.org, "Legislators have become much more aware of what they don't know...They're totally reliant on corrections officials to tell them what's going on inside the facilities."
stateline.org/2025/01/13/p...
stateline.org/2025/01/13/p...
Prison abuse, deaths and escapes prompt calls for more oversight • Stateline
As state legislatures convene in the coming weeks, many lawmakers are focusing on a key criminal justice issue for prisons and jails: more oversight.
stateline.org
January 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
One reason why bills to create #prisonoversight are getting so popular? As I said to @stateline.org, "Legislators have become much more aware of what they don't know...They're totally reliant on corrections officials to tell them what's going on inside the facilities."
stateline.org/2025/01/13/p...
stateline.org/2025/01/13/p...
Reposted by Michele Deitch
"Correctional oversight will take center stage in this year’s legislative sessions, driven by mounting scrutiny of worsening prison and jail conditions and the growing adoption of independent oversight bodies across the country."
Great piece with insightful commentary by @micheledeitch.bsky.social
Great piece with insightful commentary by @micheledeitch.bsky.social
Prison abuse, deaths and escapes prompt calls for more oversight • Alabama Reflector
As state legislatures convene in the coming weeks, many lawmakers are focusing on a key criminal justice issue for prisons and jails: more oversight.
alabamareflector.com
January 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"Correctional oversight will take center stage in this year’s legislative sessions, driven by mounting scrutiny of worsening prison and jail conditions and the growing adoption of independent oversight bodies across the country."
Great piece with insightful commentary by @micheledeitch.bsky.social
Great piece with insightful commentary by @micheledeitch.bsky.social
I was on @npr.org this morning, talking about lockdowns in prisons. The holidays are an especially tough time for people in prison & their families, & lockdowns make things even worse. Thanks @carriejohnson.bsky.social for caring.
@PJInnovationLab
@TheLBJSchool
www.npr.org/2024/12/24/n...
@PJInnovationLab
@TheLBJSchool
www.npr.org/2024/12/24/n...
Prison lockdowns during the holidays makes it hard for inmates to connect with family
Advocates and relatives of people in prison say they're facing lockdowns that hit hard during the holidays.
www.npr.org
December 24, 2024 at 2:54 PM
I was on @npr.org this morning, talking about lockdowns in prisons. The holidays are an especially tough time for people in prison & their families, & lockdowns make things even worse. Thanks @carriejohnson.bsky.social for caring.
@PJInnovationLab
@TheLBJSchool
www.npr.org/2024/12/24/n...
@PJInnovationLab
@TheLBJSchool
www.npr.org/2024/12/24/n...
Check out this incredible deep dive investigation by @jrogalskikhou.bsky.social into excessive force & use of dangerous head strikes in the #HarrisCounty Jail. The videos & details are horrifying—watch the 30-min documentary.
@PJInnovationLab @TheLBJSchool www.khou.com/article/news...
@PJInnovationLab @TheLBJSchool www.khou.com/article/news...
'STRUCK' | Hundreds of inmates punched in head in Harris County Jail
KHOU 11 Investigates finds officers punch inmates four times a week in the Harris County Jail. They rarely get punished.
www.khou.com
December 7, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Check out this incredible deep dive investigation by @jrogalskikhou.bsky.social into excessive force & use of dangerous head strikes in the #HarrisCounty Jail. The videos & details are horrifying—watch the 30-min documentary.
@PJInnovationLab @TheLBJSchool www.khou.com/article/news...
@PJInnovationLab @TheLBJSchool www.khou.com/article/news...
Extended lockdowns in prisons are now commonplace due to understaffing. As I say here: “People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. They’re in there for the convenience & management of the institution.”
stateline.org/2024/12/03/p...
stateline.org/2024/12/03/p...
State prisons turn to extended lockdowns amid staffing shortages, overcrowding • Stateline
State prisons across the United States are grappling with overcrowding and chronic understaffing, leading many facilities to impose extended lockdowns.
stateline.org
December 5, 2024 at 1:17 PM
Extended lockdowns in prisons are now commonplace due to understaffing. As I say here: “People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. They’re in there for the convenience & management of the institution.”
stateline.org/2024/12/03/p...
stateline.org/2024/12/03/p...
If you missed the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab's recent "Deaths in Custody" conference, you can access the program & all the recordings at this link. This event included a "who's who" of US experts in the field--don't miss it!
pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/deaths-custo...
pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/deaths-custo...
Deaths in Custody Program
pjil.lbj.utexas.edu
December 3, 2024 at 8:19 PM
If you missed the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab's recent "Deaths in Custody" conference, you can access the program & all the recordings at this link. This event included a "who's who" of US experts in the field--don't miss it!
pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/deaths-custo...
pjil.lbj.utexas.edu/deaths-custo...