This week, Inquest covered the appalling state of prison food—and the insane profits that private companies derive from it—and efforts by organizers in New York State to release more elderly incarcerated folks. Read the full recap:

“If they don’t get clemency, if the Elder Bill don’t pass, they going to die in prison. And we know that. That’s why we come out here.” –Jamal Bellamy @RAPPcampaign on fighting for elderly incarcerated people to come home.

Not Fit for Human Consumption -

Journalist @meeranavlakha on the organizing work of @RAPPcampaign to create paths to release for older incarcerated NYers. Learn about the inspiring life journey of formerly incarcerated activist and RAPP organizer Stanley Jamel Bellamy:

"In the Gordon County Jail in Georgia . people were eating toothpaste, toilet paper, and syrup packets out of hunger. Human rights violations like these . are endless." @BiancaTylek. & @WorthRises

"Correctional administrators outsource food service to corporations to reduce facility operating costs, with detrimental consequences." @BiancaTylek & @WorthRises break down the devastating human consequences of terrible prison food—and the $$$ it makes.

This week, Inquest explored the limits of police reform and covered efforts underway in New York State to pass legislation that would make the parole process less broken. Get the full recap:

Survived and Ignored -

"The parole interview involves unimaginable fear, with extremely high stakes. As a society, we are capable of developing more humane solutions rather than defaulting to a broken status quo." –Bobbi Cobaugh @EmpowermentAve

Parole boards rarely release people. This is a betrayal of their purpose, writes Bobbi Cobaugh @EmpowermentAve who's been denied parole 3 times—but a proposed NY law could offer hope for those caught in this Sisyphean torment.

“Even video evidence of assault and unlawful detainment, with moderate media coverage, is no match for an ironclad system designed to prioritize impunity over accountability for unjust policing.” On the failures of civilian review boards and police reform:

It finally feels real! Grateful to @ASME1963 for sending this beautiful certificate recognizing Inquest as a finalist for the 2025 National Magazine Award for General Excellence – Special Interest. We're honored to be in such great company!

When Jason Salters's boss told him to ask NYPD for a warrant before letting them into the shelter he helped run, he couldn't imagine they'd beat and arrest him. A cautionary tale from @Anastasia_Reesa about the limits of police "reform":

We hope that everyone has an inspired Juneteenth. For the full message from our team, and links to our Juneteenth 2025 Liberation Reader, head here:

Juneteenth inspiration -

To get folks inspired for Juneteenth, we put together a reading list of some of our favorite articles on the long struggle for abolition. Contributions from Angela Y. Davis, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Joy James, Mariame Kaba, Kelly Hayes, and more.

This week Inquest covered the long, little-known origins of for-profit prisons and unpaid prison labor, and shared a timely poem about violent policing in California. Get the full recap:

The profit motive -

"Freeman was told that his desire to be paid for his labor was 'delusional.' But his point was anything but irrational. He was saying that he was not an enslaved person and that he deserved to be paid for his work." @RobinMBernstein on coerced prison labor

How long has the US had for-profit prisons & unpaid prison labor? @RobinMBernstein (in convo w/ Nicole Fleetwood of @MarkingTimeArt ) tells how William Freeman, a Black man incarcerated in NY **in the 1840s**, sought back wages for his prison labor.