Department of Corrections

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A report from the state Department of Corrections shows recidivism rates have changed little in the last 15 years; in his new podcast, former NPR host David Greene interviews athletes about the defining moments in their careers, giving insight to their lives; and a new book looks at what happened in McKeesport after its century-old newspaper closed in 2015. Today’s guests include: Kirstin Cornnell, family and community support director with Pennsylvania Prison Society; David Greene, former host of NPR’s Morning Edition and host of the podcast “In the Moment with David Greene.”

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A 2010 law mandates schools and law enforcement to have a cooperative agreement but Pittsburgh Public Schools and the city’s police bureau haven’t met this requirement; legislation moving through Harrisburg could restrict what public records those incarcerated can request; and what the community near the new Shell plant thinks of the ethane cracker.Today’s guests include: Charlie Wolfson, enterprise reporter PublicSource; and John Hargreaves, volunteer director for the PA Prison Society.

On today’s program: A Greene County climate activist says holding state and federal leaders accountable for supporting the transition away from fossil fuels is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change; the nonprofit behind new data visualizations for the state’s prison and parole population hopes it’s work improves criminal justice outcomes; and the executive director of the Tull Family Theater reflects on how the organization has weathered the pandemic, and how they’re staying optimistic despite rising COVID-19 cases.

On today’s program: Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert talks about the challenges of retaining members of the force when many are retiring, and others are leaving for different or higher-paying positions; legal analyst David Harris discusses why Bill Cosby was released from prison after the state Supreme Court tossed out his conviction; and PublicSource reporter Charlie Wolfson breaks down his analysis of state and county spending on salaries.

On today’s program: Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel explains how the department is bringing back in-person visits at state prisons, and the preventative measures in place to reduce COVID-19 outbreaks; the participant in a breakthrough study explains how he can "feel" some sensations through his robotic arm; and a new program is helping people earn more based on their skills, and not just education.

Research finds that young, Black people in Pennsylvania are more likely to serve life sentences without parole because of second-degree murder convictions.

On today’s program: Nearly 80% of state correctional facilities’ staff have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, despite its wide availability; a look at Pittsburgh’s public and private sector commitments to energy efficiency, now that city government committed to become carbon neutral by 2050; and a local author’s new book tells of how telephone-inventor Alexander Graham Bell worked with deaf people to promote speech and suppress sign language.

Thanks to a law passed two years ago, Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office is now required to periodically create what are known as performance-based…

A number of groups that provide legal assistance to inmates in Pennsylvania's state prisons have stopped mail correspondence with their clients.They say…