The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Thursday October 1, 2020

Olivia Butts, Brian Moline
 
Turnover in Indiana prisons is a long-standing problem that has grown worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Former employees at the Indiana Women's Prison say the issue stems from the harsh work environment and staff culture.

Turnover in Indiana prisons is a long-standing problem that has grown worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Former employees at the Indiana Women's Prison say the issue stems from the harsh work environment and staff culture. Jake Harper/Side Effects Public Media

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217 Today for October 1, 2020

Today's headlines:

  • At the beginning of the pandemic, many people took up gardening as a hobby. So-called “COVID gardens” popped up all over Illinois. Now that it’s time to harvest, Illinois Newsroom’s Dana Cronin checked in with some COVID gardeners to see how the season went.

  • Illinois public health officials are unveiling guidance for celebrating Halloween during a pandemic.

  • COVID-19 moved more schools and work online, heightening the need for internet access. Many rural communities still do not have access to high speed internet. A new study shows how state and local governments can help, or hinder, bringing it to them.

In today's deeper dive, staff retention is a long-standing issue within the Indiana Department of Corrections. There are consistently hundreds of vacancies across the state’s 18 adult prisons. But the problem has gotten worse during the pandemic.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today from Dana Cronin, Seth Bodine, Tony Arnold and Jake Harper.