To the Point
Solitary Confinement Abuses Could Open Door to Wider Prison Reform
More than 100 years ago, the US Supreme Court acknowledged the cruelty of solitary confinement. Recently, the suicide of a New York teenager isolated for two years without ever being charged has created an uproar. Why is solitary still used? What are the alternatives?
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenMore than 100 years ago, the US Supreme Court acknowledged the cruelty of solitary confinement. Recently, the suicide of a New York teenager isolated for two years without ever being charged has created an uproar. Why is solitary still used? What are the alternatives?
Also, the Senate votes to salvage President Obama's trade deal. On today's Talking Point, can a chicken become a dinosaur? A scientific consultant to the movie Jurassic World says, "yes." But, why?
Photo: Corrie Barklimore
In this episode
3 storiesSenate Votes to Salvage Obama's Trade Deal
A major turnaround on Capitol Hill today means that President Obama's top legislative priority is not be dead after all. The Senate appears to be paving the way for the Trans-Pacific Partnership , a massive free trade deal. Manu Raju is senior congressional correspondent for Politico .
Read the story7 minSolitary Confinement and Prison Reform
Some 88,000 inmates of state and federal prisons are in some form of solitary confinement, although it’s not called by its real name.
Read the story34 minIs the World Ready for a "Dino-chicken?"
We all know the story behind Jurassic World , where genetically engineered dinosaurs run wild. One descendent of dinosaurs is the chicken — and last month, researchers announced that they had modified part a chicken to look like part of a dinosaur. That was welcome news to Jack Horner.
Read the story10 min
