News Inside returns with its annual highlight — the women’s issue. Our 2025 edition celebrates women in the correctional system who tend to have even less access to programming than incarcerated men do. We aim to help fill this gap by providing valuable information while showcasing their achievements.
This issue features several powerful narratives. Our centerpiece, on page 4, is a compelling photo essay that documents Jules and Samantha Werkheiser's journey through wrongful imprisonment. Their story encompasses their love, the tragic loss of their newborn daughter, and the hope they discovered through their son Julius, who sustained them until their eventual exoneration.
We address a critical issue — domestic violence survivors serving sentences for crimes their abusers committed — on page 12. You'll read about Pat Johnson, who received a life sentence in 1993 simply for being present when an abusive partner committed murder. After three decades, Pat continues to seek clemency.
For regional coverage, explore our newly renamed “Local Focus” section featuring journalism from our Cleveland, Ohio, and Jackson, Mississippi, newsrooms. You'll also find all your regular favorites: “Peeps,” Reader to Reader, the crossword puzzle and more.
If I’ve piqued your interest, see for yourself by viewing the smart PDF below. Just click the red arrow to browse through this special issue.
Happy Women’s History Month!
Table of Contents
- Page 4: Love Beyond Bars: Jules and Samantha’s Story in Pictures
- Page 11: Why Firing the Prison Guards Involved in Robert Brooks’ Death Is Neither Quick Nor Easy
- Page 12: Serving Time for Their Abusers’ Crimes
- Page 18: I Survived Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression in Jail. Now I Guide Others Like Me.
- Page 19: ‘What Now?’ People Behind Bars React to Trump’s Win
- Page 23: You Can See Who Is in Many Ohio Jails With a Few Clicks — Just Not in Cuyahoga County
- Page 25: Jackson, Mississippi, Officials Aren’t the First to Stay in Office Amid Corruption Charges
Want your loved one(s) to receive free future copies of News Inside? Fill out our registration form for individuals. For corrections staff or community members seeking bulk shipments of News Inside, please email your request to newsinside@themarshallproject.org.
