Elena Townsend-Lerdo

Claremont

Volunteer Editor at Prison Journalism Project

Opinions Editor at The Student Life

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Articles

Pomona College student tour guides announce protest, strike against April 5 arrests

Apr 11, 2024 | tsl.news | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |Maya Zhan

On Monday, April 8, 49 Pomona College student tour guides and admissions office internssigned a letter denouncing Pomona administration’s response to, and authorization of, the arrest of 20 students on Friday, April 5. They revealed plans for forthcoming protest actions, including a tour guide strike. The announcement follows Pomona President G.
7C and national organizations denounce Pomona College’s response to student arrests

Apr 6, 2024 | tsl.news | Ben Lauren |Elena Townsend-Lerdo |Ansley Washburn

Following the arrest of 19 students at Pomona College by the Claremont Police Department (CPD) on Friday, April 5, several 7C and national organizations have released statements condemning Pomona’s response, pointing to both the academic disciplinary and legal prosecutions sanctioned by its president, G. Gabrielle Starr.
6 Stories About All the Ways You Can Die in Prison

Oct 14, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

Dying in prison is becoming more common for people without a death penalty or life sentence. Prison Journalism Project’s special project on aging in prison highlighted that fact earlier this year. And recent data have continued to underscore the growing trend. According to the University of California, Los Angeles, Law Behind Bars Data Project, more than 6,000 incarcerated people died in prison in 2020, largely due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Five Stories About Unsafe Drinking Water in Prisons

Oct 10, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights. Health hazards are everywhere in prison — even in something as essential as drinking water.
7 Stories About COVID-19 Inside Prison

Oct 4, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights. When it comes to contracting COVID-19, U.S. prisons, jails and detention centers are among the most dangerous places to be. Incarcerated individuals are infected with COVID-19 at a rate five times higher than the average.
7 Stories From Incarcerated Writers About Education

Aug 29, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

The upcoming school year is a big one for prison education. As of July 1, more than 760,000 incarcerated people are eligible for free college paid for by the federal Pell Grant program. This change comes after Congress voted in 2020 to lift the ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated people. Education behind bars has long been promoted as a way to increase employment opportunities post-release and provide social mobility for families.
7 Stories About Extreme Weather From Writers Inside Prison

Aug 2, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

Summer is here, and that means record-high temperatures, wildfires and the beginning of hurricane season on the Atlantic coast. While many Americans seek refuge indoors with shade and air conditioning, others do not have those luxuries — or those choices. For incarcerated people, these extreme weather events can make prison life unbearable and, in some cases, lethal.
5Cs reckon with the end of affirmative action

Jul 29, 2023 | tsl.news | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |Sara Cawley

As 5C students prepare to come back to campus, many are wondering how the Claremont community might be impacted now that race can no longer be considered in college admissions. The Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) June 29 ruling to restrict affirmative action — policies aimed at increasing opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups — has surfaced questions among students, faculty and administrators about equity in higher education.
7 Stories from Incarcerated Writers on Freedom and Patriotism

Jul 1, 2023 | prisonjournalismproject.org | Elena Townsend-Lerdo |India Claudy

Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights. While much of the country gathers to celebrate the Fourth of July with barbecues and fireworks, in this country will not be able to enjoy either activity.