In prisons and jails, a lack of sleep may harm health and safety

By: Amanda Watford

Outlets: Stateline

Published: June 11, 2026

Words: 643

Last Updated: 16 hours, 38 minutes ago

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For many incarcerated people, getting a full night’s sleep is almost impossible.

Bright lights, loud noise, overnight head counts, early morning meals and other routine features of prison and jail operations can make restorative sleep nearly impossible, according to a new report from researchers at the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin.

The report’s authors argue that chronic sleep disruption is a widespread but often overlooked feature of …

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