'Incarceration profoundly affects families and communities'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'Incarcerated women deserve a second chance'
Heather Rice-Minus and Hillary Blout at The Hill
Despite their "unique needs, criminal justice policy has largely overlooked incarcerated women, partly because they are significantly outnumbered by men in the prison system," say Heather Rice-Minus and Hillary Blout. This "requires collective action from all of us" to "help women heal and to safely bring them home." Culture "tends to shame women more than men for incarceration, since women are expected to be virtuous and wholesome." Once "rehabilitated, women should have the opportunity for mercy and redemption."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'America needs more living kidney donors. Here's how we achieve that goal.'
Steven Levitt and Ruby Rorty at the Chicago Tribune
America's "organ shortage is a perplexing public health problem," say Steven Levitt and Ruby Rorty. There are "simple steps we can take to radically increase the number of kidneys available for transplant, but political and institutional inertia has stood in the way of these changes." By "changing incentives for prospective donors and transplant centers, we could save thousands of lives." Policy reform "would also help tackle a persistent disparity: the disproportionate impact of kidney disease on low-income Americans."
'From presidents to hillbillies, Northern Ireland wants more recognition in the US'
Jude Webber at the Financial Times
The U.S. "celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence from Britain next year and Northern Ireland wants pride of place at the party," says Jude Webber. Northern Irish Americans have "helped shape the world's most powerful nation," and "leaders in Northern Ireland believe it is now time for that shared heritage to receive greater recognition." But "historically, Northern Ireland's influence on America has played second fiddle to that of émigrés from what is now the Republic of Ireland."
'Dining in'
Henry Grabar at Slate
As "virus fears faded and health restrictions fell away, many big-city residents watched outdoor dining disappear too," says Henry Grabar. What "separated New York was the program's scope, popularity, and political support." The "question is: Who is ready to design a new, more lenient law to facilitate outdoor dining, without the 'seasonal' requirement that analysts have described as a poison pill." But the "urgency of the post-pandemic period has faded, and larger problems loom."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
AI is creating a luxury housing renaissance in San Francisco
Under the Radar Luxury homes in the city can range from $7 million to above $20 million
-
How carbon credits could help and hurt the climate
The explainer The credits could be allowing polluters to continue polluting
-
5 tips for building a healthy skincare routine for tweens and teens
The Week Recommends Social media is pushing overly elaborate routines for young skin
-
Zohran Mamdani: the young progressive likely to be New York City's next mayor
In The Spotlight The policies and experience that led to his meteoric rise
-
'More must be done'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Some mainstream Democrats struggle with Zohran Mamdani's surprise win
TALKING POINT To embrace or not embrace? A party in transition grapples with a rising star ready to buck political norms and energize a new generation.
-
'If smoke can affect health early in life, it also can affect life's end'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'The arts are not just expressions of creativity'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'Alligator Alcatraz will be a blight on the Everglades'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Mamdani upsets Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary
Speed Read Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani beat out Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary