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Criminal Justice

Locked Down

An Investigation of Mississippi’s Prisons

Mississippi has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States, and its prison system has long been plagued by accusations of brutality, corruption and abuse. This year, the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting and ProPublica have teamed up to understand why the state’s prisons haven’t gotten better, even after a landmark prison reform law.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Locked Down

Conditions at Mississippi’s Most Notorious Prison Violate the Constitution, DOJ Says

“The problems at Parchman are severe, systemic, and exacerbated by serious deficiencies in staffing and supervision,” the report said.

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Local Reporting Network

Locked Down

Justice Dept. Says It Will Investigate Deadly Conditions at Four Mississippi Prisons

The agency’s Civil Rights Division decided to act after a letter from prison reformers citing stories by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting and ProPublica.

by Jerry Mitchell and Debbie Skipper, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Local Reporting Network

Locked Down

We Reported on Troubled Prisons. Now, Officials and a Gang Have a Shared Goal: Reform.

Following our reporting, top Republicans and Democrats want to take a closer look at Mississippi’s prison system. Meanwhile, one gang says it has turned in more than 250 weapons to show it’s against violence.

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Local Reporting Network

6 stories published since 2019

Lawmakers Refused to Increase an Infamous Prison’s Funding. Then, Chaos Erupted.

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Some of the Country’s Worst Prisons Have Escaped Justice Department Action

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Inside The Prison Where Inmates Set Each Other On Fire and Gangs Have More Power Than Guards

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Trump Hailed This State’s Prison Reforms as a National Model — but the Numbers Reflect a Grim Reality

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

Years Ago, I Investigated Mississippi’s Prisons. Here’s Why I’m Doing It Again.

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting,

What’s Really Going On Inside Mississippi’s Prisons? We Need Your Help to Find Out.

by Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, and Kengo Tsutsumi, ProPublica,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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