These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias.  They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes.  These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.

• Overall, we rate Prison Legal News (PLN) as Left-Center Biased based on advocacy for policies favored by the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

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Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Magazine
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Prison Legal News (PLN), a Human Rights Defense Center project, is an independent magazine published monthly since May 1990. It offers a comprehensive review and analysis of prisoners’ rights, court rulings, and news related to criminal justice. The magazine covers various criminal justice topics, including prison labor, the private prison industry, misconduct by prison and jail staff, prison censorship, and more. PLN was initiated to provide prisoners and other stakeholders with a better understanding of various criminal justice topics. PLN is headquartered in Lake Worth, Florida. 

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Prison Legal News (PLN) is a Human Rights Defense Center project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Subscriptions, advertising revenue, foundation grants, book sales, and individual donations primarily fund the magazine. Prison Legal News (PLN) does not accept government funding. For more details on their funding, please see the section “How does PLN support its operations.”

Analysis / Bias

PLN provides information on various criminal justice topics, from prison conditions to the death penalty. The magazine’s tone and content suggest a critical stance towards certain aspects of the criminal justice system, particularly concerning private prisons and prisoners’ rights. PLN’s content includes access to courts, disciplinary hearings, prison conditions, excessive force, mail censorship, and more.

The language used in their articles generally contains emotionally loaded language, aligning with their advocacy nature. For instance, the article; “Despite #MeToo, Celebrity Justice Remains Massively Unjust” strongly critiques the justice system’s treatment of celebrities, emphasizing the perceived leniency and privileges they enjoy. The language is emotionally loaded, such as “celebrities accused of crimes,” “celebrity privilege,” and “the rich and famous simply aren’t treated like everyone else.” Sources are not hyperlinked in the visible content, but a list is provided further down the article. These include ABC News, BBC News, Bleacher Report, Business Insider, Daily Collegian, Elle, The Guardian, Gawker, Grunge, Heavy, Hockey News, Los Angeles Times, NBC News, New York Daily News, New York Times, New Yorker, and Palm Beach Post. 

In addition to its articles, the “Links” section offers a variety of resources related to the criminal justice system. Examples include:

• Resources on control units and solitary confinement in prisons.
• Information about the Prison Rape Elimination Act and prison uprisings.
• Organizations focused on the abolition of the death penalty.
• Projects dedicated to providing education to prisoners.
• Resources related to immigration detention and policies.
• Organizations aiming to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.

This section is a hub for those keen on understanding and advocating for prisoners’ rights and criminal justice reform. In general, they are fact-based and hold left-leaning advocacy perspectives.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years. 

Overall, we rate Prison Legal News (PLN) as Left-Center Biased based on advocacy for policies favored by the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsing 8/18/2023) 

Source: prisonlegalnews.org