Serving out a sentence in a Washington state prison, I was certain I’d never own a home. When my wife and I started the process, we found out just how difficult it would be.
Christopher Blackwell Apr 04, 2022
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, “prison warehousing”—which used to be a derogatory term—would look like an upgrade. At least warehouses care about the value of the goods they store.
Nick Hacheney, Tomas Keen Mar 24, 2022
Less than two years after racial justice protests sparked calls to “defund the police,” states and jurisdictions are using pandemic aid to pad already bloated law enforcement budgets.
Brian Dolinar Mar 23, 2022
Corrections officials confirmed finding legionella at five facilities over the past 12 months.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 15, 2022
A cycle of hopelessness is taking its toll in prisons across the country, amid continued restrictions on the things that make life more bearable.
Christopher Blackwell Mar 11, 2022
After giving tablets to incarcerated people, prison telecoms giants are charging prisoners and their families exorbitant prices on everything from emails to movies.
Tommaso Bardelli, Ruqaiyah Zarook, Derick McCarthy Mar 07, 2022
In the ’90s, the city passed a policy requiring the police department to pay some of their own legal costs. There’s no evidence that the department ever paid up.
Akintunde Ahmad Mar 01, 2022
After a bold campaign promise, the president has remained almost silent as thousands languish in solitary in federal prisons. Advocates say they remain hopeful that he will find his voice on the issue.
Veronica Riccobene, Jean Casella Feb 28, 2022
Georgia is the strictest state in America when it comes to proving intellectual disability in capital cases. This month, the Supreme Court could save the life of a man who says he is mentally disabled—or let the state kill him.
Lauren Gill Feb 23, 2022
Spurred by an Appeal investigation into Michelle Heale’s controversial 2015 case, a law professor is asking New Jersey’s Conviction Review Unit to “correct an injustice” and set Heale free.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Feb 15, 2022
But if he loses his appeal and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declines to grant him clemency, he will likely be sent back to prison.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jan 25, 2022
Although Minneapolis has garnered media attention since the George Floyd uprising, St. Paul may be the Twin City making the most strides toward transformative justice. But Sheriff Bob Fletcher’s actions may undo positive steps in Ramsey County.
Hibah Ansari, Anna Simonton Jan 11, 2022
Reginald Randolph is currently serving a two to four year sentence in state prison for stealing cold medicine
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Dec 04, 2021
The Appeal team has a lot to be thankful for this year, including the fact that we can spend time with our families again. We know not everyone is as fortunate, and we’re thinking of community members, especially those behind bars, who can’t be with their loved ones. In the midst of Thanksgiving travel and […]
Nick Wing Nov 23, 2021
We’re excited to share that we’re kicking off our year-end fundraising campaign through NewsMatch, an industry-wide program to sustain journalism through matching gifts on the local and national level. Through Dec. 31, NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation (at 12 times the value), or double your one-time gift, all up to $1,000. In total, […]
Jerry Iannelli Nov 09, 2021
Blind in one eye and at risk of losing vision in the other, 58-year-old Reginald Randolph is now on the verge of being sent to state prison to serve out a maximum of four years in state prison.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 02, 2021
The Appeal is back and we’re worker-run. We’re excited to bring you the fourth edition of our weekly newsletter as we continue to work toward an official relaunch. Every dollar we raise helps us produce vital journalism. Next month, we’ll begin publishing a special package of stories. Help us return to publishing full time by […]
Anna Simonton Oct 26, 2021
Steven Wolfson, the Clark County DA, says the death penalty is reserved for ‘very rare’ circumstances, but advocates and public defenders say his actions show otherwise.
Sam Mellins May 19, 2021
Under Tali Farhadian Weinstein’s leadership, Brooklyn’s unit exonerated just four people—a far lower rate than in previous years.
Sam Mellins May 17, 2021
Rob Bonta’s career has hinged on the idea that the law can be used to engender social justice. His elevation to California’s “top cop” position, where he will become responsible for the vast bureaucracy of the state’s criminal legal system, will be a crucible for that belief.
Piper French May 03, 2021
Prosecutors across the country have begun declining low-level cases in an effort to reduce racial inequity and to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joshua Vaughn Apr 12, 2021
Democratic prosecutors in Tampa and Miami campaigned for the 2018 initiative that paved the way for this new ruling.
Jerry Iannelli Apr 08, 2021
Prosecutors who have championed criminal justice reforms are still seeking death sentences, opposing appeals, and, in some cases, have even petitioned for execution dates.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Apr 05, 2021
A new diversion program will allow people charged with driving with a suspended license or without insurance to avoid jail time and fees.
Joshua Vaughn Mar 29, 2021
Two years’ worth of data shows how disproportionately the city’s police and prosecutors target certain neighborhoods.
Jerry Iannelli Mar 26, 2021
Brian Stepter, a 61-year-old Black man, has struggled with substance use for decades. Now, prosecutors are leveraging his record against him—and forbidding references to racial justice, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Stepter’s potential sentence, or his health problems at his trial.
Meg O'Connor Mar 25, 2021
Several states, including Maryland, are considering bills to protect minors from abusive police interrogations.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 25, 2021
The Appeal: Political Report’s March 25 newsletter
Daniel Nichanian Mar 25, 2021
Philadelphia’s top prosecutor has made good on promises to reduce incarceration in the city. His re-election bid will be a litmus test for the progressive prosecutor movement he helped start.
Joshua Vaughn Mar 22, 2021
After more than a year in office—and despite pushback—the San Francisco DA’s policies have kept people out of jails and prisons.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 18, 2021
Two progressive candidates will move on to the general election, while Lewis Reed, a figure in St. Louis’s Democratic party establishment since 1999, couldn’t carry a single ward.
Meg O'Connor Mar 16, 2021
The Appeal: Political Report’s March 11 newsletter
Daniel Nichanian Mar 11, 2021
Ensuring renters have representation in housing court would help close a “justice gap” and be a life-saving intervention for those at risk of losing their homes.
Emily Benfer Mar 10, 2021
As Texas lifts its COVID-19 restrictions, the city’s jail remains overcrowded and its police and prosecutors continue to operate as normal.
Jerry Iannelli Mar 09, 2021
New evidence suggests more accounting troubles for the CDAA.
Jerry Iannelli Mar 05, 2021
The Appeal: Political Report’s March 4 newsletter
Daniel Nichanian Mar 04, 2021
The Appeal: Political Report’s February 25 newsletter
Daniel Nichanian Feb 25, 2021
A coalition of environmental groups urges the legislature to force the repayment and dissociate from the CDAA.
Jerry Iannelli Feb 23, 2021
The Appeal: Political Report’s February 18 newsletter
Daniel Nichanian Feb 18, 2021
In many of America’s major cities, the early efforts to reduce incarceration during the pandemic have been reversed.
Jerry Iannelli Feb 03, 2021