Rachel Crumpler | NC Health News

Increased demand for medical, mental health, and substance use treatment strains the state’s correctional system as the incarcerated population grows older, driving cost overruns.

A federal lawsuit is at the center of claims that the state of North Carolina is putting teenagers in solitary confinement, despite its demonstrated harm. State officials deny the claims but cite strains in the juvenile justice system.

Hospital staff work through communication disruptions, water system failures and their own storm-induced uncertainty to keep caring for patients in western North Carolina.

People can walk into pharmacies without a prescription and walk out the same day with birth control in hand, expanding access to reproductive health care.

The lifting of some restrictions opens new possibilities to make medication abortion more accessible and expand capacity. Two other provisions of Senate Bill 20 remain contested.

In 19 counties across North Carolina, reentry councils are a key force supporting people and facilitating smoother experiences back in the community. Now more are on the way.

Prison leaders say that 2024 will be an inflection year to make significant progress breaking down barriers formerly incarcerated people face when returning to the community.

Nonprofits, health agencies and community members gathered in Charlotte last week to highlight factors that contribute to grim disparity, brainstorm solutions to combat poor outcomes.

Former North Carolina prisoners had sustained suicide risk, even three years after release, suggesting a need for more consistent support for people returning to the community.

An estimated 80% of people reentering the community from prison are newly eligible for Medicaid. The North Carolina prison system has launched a department-wide effort to help people ages 19 to 64 who are within 90 days of their release date to apply for Medicaid coverage.