Stories Behind Indiana's Prison System
- Johnette Cruz
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Behind The Filter Podcast: Unfiltered Weekly
As many of you know, my "day job" is a News Anchor and Reporter for a news-talk radio station in Indianapolis. In that role, I see a lot of stories—but lately, one specific topic has completely taken over my inbox and my research: The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).
What started as a single TikTok investigation into prison conditions has transformed into a massive archive of testimonials. Whether you live in Indiana or not, this episode is a sobering look at a system that is supposed to "correct" and "rehabilitate," but is instead, by many accounts, in a state of absolute free fall.
The Three Faces of Behind the Filter:
If you’re new here, we operate under three umbrellas:
Behind the Filter: Our regular interview-style segment.
After Dark: The "girly talk" edition with my bestie Ashley—grab a glass of wine and let’s talk trends.
Unfiltered Weekly: Our newsy segment where we dive deep into the stories that the mainstream media might be missing or that are too big to ignore.
Voices from the Inside: The Testimonials
I’ve received hundreds, possibly thousands, of DMs from former employees, medical staff, and families of the incarcerated. Most are terrified of retaliation, so these stories remain anonymous. Here is a look at the reality inside Indiana's walls:
Staff and Systemic Failure
Wabash Valley: A former Sergeant reported a Lieutenant for sexually harassing his wife (a nurse at the facility). Despite the "zero tolerance" policy, the IDOC did nothing. The Sergeant eventually resigned after his mental health pleas were ignored.
Miami Correctional: An officer’s exit interview detailed night shifts walking out without briefing day shifts, staff passing out in segregation units and being denied medical leave, and a "paramilitary dictatorship" culture where questioning a supervisor is forbidden.
Inhumane Conditions
Westville & Wabash: Reports of 400 men sleeping on concrete basketball courts with a single toilet and no hot food. In sub-zero temperatures, inmates were forced to stand outside for "count" while buildings had no heat or water.
Medical Neglect: A heartbreaking story from the Indiana Women’s Prison involves a pregnant woman who began hemorrhaging. A prison nurse reportedly sent 911 responders away, claiming it was "cheaper" to have a correctional officer transport her. Her son died that day.
Physical Decay: At multiple facilities, families report "rusty, muddy water" coming from sinks, black mold, and windows that look like "the inside of a deep freezer" during winter.
"If the goal of prison is to return a better person to society, why are we sending them back with PTSD and a hatred for the system that was supposed to reform them?"
The Activist Perspective: A Conversation with King
I sat down with King, a humanitarian and former inmate who served 15 years across state and federal systems (including West Virginia and Michigan). King has launched a Change.org petition specifically targeting the conditions at Westville.
King’s journey is complex—from a home invasion charge at 18 (at his own godmother's house) to federal weapons charges involving "dominion and control" of items he says he didn't own.
King’s message is clear: * Prison is a Business: He argues that wardens often divert funds meant for inmate clothing and nutrition into their own pockets.
Mental Health Crisis: "You lose your sanity in prison," King says, describing the trauma of being locked in a cage 23 hours a day and watching fellow inmates die from preventable violence while staff watch.
Rehabilitation vs. Torture: He isn't asking for a Hilton Hotel; he’s asking for the 8th Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment.
The $1.2 Billion "Solution"?
The state is currently working on the Westville State Prison project, a massive 1.2-billion-dollar build. Here are the facts as of March 2026:
The Goal: Consolidate the aging Westville facility (built 1951) and the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City (built 1860) into one state-of-the-art campus.
The Features: A 4,200-inmate capacity, a 240-bed mental health hub, vocational shops, and automated cell controls (no more manual keys).
The Timeline: Construction is roughly 60% complete, with a full transition expected in early 2027.
While the new facility promises a focus on rehabilitation, the question remains: will a new building fix a culture of neglect and "insider threats" like drug trafficking by staff?
A Note on Reporting and Accountability
As a reporter, I always strive for a balanced story. I have reached out to the PIOs (Public Information Officers) at Plainfield, Miami, Newcastle, and Westville, as well as the head of communications at the IDOC.
The response? Silence.
When officials refuse to comment on allegations of sexual assault, mold, and medical death, they leave the story up for public interpretation. I will continue to share these stories until the IDOC provides the transparency the citizens of Indiana deserve.
How You Can Help
Sign the Petition: You can find the link to King’s Change.org petition for Westville HERE
Support the Show: We are looking for brand partners! If you want to sponsor Behind the Filter, reach out to us.
Watch or listen to the full episode below!
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~J