prisons

A US judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's latest attempt to overturn her conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls, dismissing the effort as 'frivolous'. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence following her 2021 conviction. The ruling closes off another avenue of appeal for the British socialite, whose case has remained a focus of public attention since the Epstein scandal.

Venezuela has released dozens of political prisoners from long-term detention. The move comes shortly after the country's interim leader met with the US president, which observers read as a signal of potential diplomatic shifts. The releases are being linked to mounting pressure surrounding the country's elections, and the timing has drawn attention to possible negotiations between Caracas and Washington.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions in the killings of his wife Maggie and son Paul. The disbarred former lawyer was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison after a trial that drew national attention. The court's ruling means his convictions must now be reviewed, and attention is turning to whether he will face a new trial.

A Guardian documentary follows Max, a 14-year-old struggling with climate anxiety, as he writes letters to imprisoned climate activists in search of hope. Through the correspondence, he explores the human stories behind direct action and why so many climate protesters have served prison time, offering a personal look at the emotional toll of activism on young people.

South Korea has expressed regret after Ukraine denied the existence of an agreement concerning North Korean prisoners of war, according to Yonhap. The dispute centres on whether Kyiv and Seoul had a pact over the handling of North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The disagreement risks straining coordination between the two countries on a sensitive issue involving Pyongyang.

Venezuela has released a group of prisoners, according to a report from South Korea's Korea Herald. No further details have been given about how many people were freed, who they are, or why the release happened now. The move is being read in the context of Venezuela's ongoing tensions with the opposition and international pressure over political detentions and human rights.

A federal court has ruled that Texas must install air conditioning in its prisons by 2029. The decision addresses the extreme heat in the state's largely uncooled prison facilities, which has long drawn criticism from inmates' families, advocates and lawmakers over dangerous summer temperatures. The ruling sets a deadline for the Texas prison system to comply, making it one of the most significant heat-safety mandates for corrections in the United States.

Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the disgraced blood-testing startup Theranos, is reportedly set to be transferred from federal prison to a halfway house next year. She is serving an 11-year sentence for defrauding investors. The reported move would mark a step toward her eventual release and is drawing renewed attention to the case and her prospects after prison.

Venezuela has released 39 political prisoners following negotiations described as post-Maduro talks, a development reported by international outlets. The releases would mark a significant step in the country's political transition, though details on who was freed and under what conditions remain limited. Human rights groups have long documented mass detentions of opposition figures in Venezuela, and observers are watching whether more prisoners will be released.

Venezuelan authorities have released dozens of prisoners, days after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Venezuela's interim leader. The releases follow a period of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, including US pressure over detentions of political prisoners and foreign nationals. News outlets in the region and beyond are covering the move as a possible sign of easing relations between the two governments.

Dani Hourani, a Detroit-area figure, shared his personal journey from prison to community impact in a wide-ranging interview, speaking openly about mental health and addressing the controversy surrounding Mayor Mary Sheffield. The conversation touches on redemption, accountability and the challenges of reentry after incarceration, drawing attention to mental health issues within that experience.