Michele Y Deitch in the Media

Texas Public Radio September 21, 2023

Texas prison guards under criminal investigation over hospitalized inmate

Professor Michele Deitch reacts to a report of multiple correctional offers being terminated and resigning following an incident that occurred recently at the Coffield Prison.

San Antonio Current September 20, 2023

Texas’ lockdown of its overheated state prisons is worsening an already volatile situation

Professor Michele Deitch comments on the poor and often deadly health conditions in Texas prisons after the Texas Department of Criminal Justice put all 104 of its prisons under lockdown this month.

In November, 3,141 Texas prisoners were held in solitary confinement, according to the Department of Criminal Justice. More than 500 of them had been there for at least a decade.

Texas Tribune January 9, 2023

Texas prisoners launching hunger strike to protest state’s harsh solitary confinement practices

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in an article about the harshness of Texas' solitary confinement practices.

Newsweek July 20, 2022

Will Trump Do Time? What It Would Take to Convict the Former President

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in an article about the possible trial and conviction of President Trump, and what it would involve.

USA Today July 18, 2022

The path to prison is often paved by illiteracy. Yet many prisoners aren’t being taught to read.

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in an article about prison literacy efforts, pointing out that by investing in prison education, people who are incarcerated come out better than when they went in.

KXAN May 7, 2022

Staff turnover in Texas prisons has increased. Here’s how that’s impacting corrections officers

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in a news story regarding how the working conditions of Texas corrections officers contribute to staffing difficulties.

KXAN April 27, 2022

Only a quarter of Texas prisons have air conditioning, here’s what that means for prisoners

Lecturer Michele Deitch is quoted in a news story about how the high temperatures put prisoners at risk for heat-related illnesses.

NBC News March 17, 2022

Do Texas prisons violate human rights? One Scottish judge says yes

Lecturer Michele Deitch is quoted in a news story about a recent case where the US was denied extradition of a Scottish fugitive by a Scottish judge due to concerns about Texas prisons' possible failure to meet international human rights standards.

Slate February 9, 2022

How Juvenile Lockups Set Kids on a Path to Commit More Violence

Professor Michele Deitch's 2017 defense affidavit for death row prisoner Juan Ramirez is quoted in an article about how dangerous juvenile detention is for adolescents.

Gov. Greg Abbott signing documents at podium

Houston Chronicle November 23, 2021

Advocates, legal experts decry Gov. Greg Abbott diverting $4M in state prisons funding for election audits

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in an article regarding Gov. Greg Abbott reallocating funds from state prison funding to election audits.

Brennan Center for Justice November 3, 2021

Independent Oversight Is Essential for a Safe and Healthy Prison System

Senior Lecturer Michele Deitch authors an essay on the benefits of preventive monitoring of conditions in the prison system; the piece was part of theBrennan Center Series examining the punitive excess that has come to define America’s criminal legal system.

The Intercept September 25, 2021

One Bill in Texas Legislature Would Ease Extreme Heat in Texas Prisons. Another Makes it Worse.

Professor Michele Deitch is quoted in an article regarding the Texas Legislature's power over Texas prisons.