The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
The Indiana Women’s Prison, a maximum-security facility in Indianapolis, houses incarcerated women with significant health needs. Women with suicidal ideation can be placed on suicide watch, where their incarcerated peers observe them one-on-one.

The Indiana Women’s Prison, a maximum-security facility in Indianapolis, houses incarcerated women with significant health needs. Women with suicidal ideation can be placed on suicide watch, where their incarcerated peers observe them one-on-one. Elizabeth Caudle/for Side Effects Public Media

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Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • The latest COVID-19 surge caused by omicron is due, in part, to people following outdated advice on rapid testing and large gatherings over the holidays, according to medical expert Dr. Sadiya Khan.

  • Urbana Middle School will stay remote for the rest of this week.

  • Illinois Democrats are predicting action this spring on an anti-crime package in Springfield.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how suicide companion programs in prisons can increase trauma. Warning: This story contains descriptions of self-harm.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Emily Hays, Dave McKinney, Lauren Bavis and Jake Harper.