Hi all,

I'm doing my articles from home tonight, so I thought I'd go ahead and do my blog post as well. The first article I read tonight is about how prisoners are treated in super-max prisons, like the Florence facility here in Colorado (link). The article describes how prisoners are regularly beaten and put in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. Radios and television are not allowed, and cell lights are on day and night (it goes into much further detail in the article). There is no doubt that most of the people put in super-max prisons are put there because they are a threat to themselves and others, but I wonder if such severe conditions like that would dehumanize prisoners further and even contribute to their violent tendencies.

The other article I read was about proposed laws regulating immigration legislation (link). It was definitely a more challenging read than the other article. It's looking like 2011 is going to be an interesting year for this kind of legislation, particularly because many states have seen a sharp increase in their immigrant population. Some states are trying to pass more immigrant friendly bills, and some are trying to copy Arizona's harsh and controversial legislation.

Aside from browsing these articles, lately I've been capturing shorts from the Grit TV tapes, which is a great way to see bits and pieces of up and coming documentaries and TV programs.

That's all for tonight. I'll see everyone Friday!