Unlike most prisons, the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City doesn't have a recreation yard. Inmates live in isolation; they almost never spend time outdoors and don't have access to direct sunlight. That will change as a result of a class action lawsuit brought by inmates at CSP, who charged the lack of outdoor access was cruel and unusual punishment. The Colorado Department of Corrections will spend $4.7 million dollars to build recreation areas for prisoners.
Alan Prendergast, who wrote about the developments for Westword, spoke with CPR's Ryan Warner.
