Why Doesn’t the U.S. Government Know How Many People Die in Custody?

When someone dies in jail or prison, families and the public often struggle to get even the most basic facts: What happened, when and why. The federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) was meant to reduce deaths behind bars by requiring states to report them, but states rarely comply, resulting in serious information gaps.

We invite journalists, lawyers, family advocates and other representatives for people behind bars to hear from reporters who will:

• Explain why the official deaths in custody data is so flawed, based on their recent investigations into DCRA
• Show the real-world consequences of missing or incorrect data
• Share practical steps families and other advocates for people behind bars can take to get key records, even years after a death
• Learn how journalists and researchers can collaborate with The Marshall Project on projects exploring deaths in custody

You will hear from:

• Ilica Majahan and Anna Flagg (The Marshall Project): Findings from reporting on deaths in custody, gaps in DCRA compliance, and practical advice for journalists and advocates on working with this data themselves
• Ethan Corey (The Appeal): Insights from a FOIA lawsuit against the Department of Justice, what Bureau of Justice Statistics data revealed and how others can pursue similar requests

The event will be moderated by The Marshall Project Engagement Reporter Aala Abdullahi.