In spring 2025, former UChicago students Ethan Ostrow and Harley Pomper settled a lawsuit against Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart after he revoked their clearances to participate in a creative writing program at the Cook County Jail.
According to court filings, a cohort of the Bridge writing workshop had been suspended due to students communicating with inmates from outside the facility in violation of jail policies.
Sheriff Tom Dart had prevented fourth-years Ethan Ostrow and Harley Pomper from participating in an IOP-led workshop at the Cook County Jail this year after the students wrote an op-ed criticizing the jail’s policies.
