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Rachel Dissell is a Cleveland-based journalist with more than two decades of experience reporting on the justice system. She is a two-time winner of the Dart Award for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma.
Email rdissell@themarshallproject.org
Twitter @RachelDissell
A group of more than 30 protestors walk through Cleveland’s downtown, holding posters advocating for bail reform and better conditions at the county jail.
Testify September 11
Six Years of Bail Reform in Cuyahoga County: A Timeline
How public pressure, inhumane jail conditions, and informal agreements reshaped the Cuyahoga County bail system.
By Rachel Dissell and Ilica Mahajan
An illustration shows the back of a Black man looking up at a tall building, the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. In front of the building is a panel of three portraits, representing a roulette of judges.
Testify September 11
Cuyahoga County Judges Vowed to Reform the Bail System. Here’s What Happened.
Court officials informally changed their bail-setting practices for felony cases. Now, fewer people have to pay to get out of jail, a Marshall Project analysis shows.
By Ilica Mahajan and Rachel Dissell
Testify June 28
The Basics of Bail in Ohio
How do people get out of jail while they’re accused of a crime?
By Rachel Dissell, Ilica Mahajan and David Eads
A Black man in a dark gray suit stands at a podium during a press conference.
Cleveland February 20
Cleveland Police Removed Officer Names from Discipline Notices
Officials say the move prevents officer shaming. But does it raise transparency issues?
By Rachel Dissell and Mark Puente
A grayscale illustration shows four male-presenting youth in prison uniforms standing in a row.
Cleveland December 12, 2022
How Children End Up in Cleveland’s Adult Courts: A Bindover Explainer
Cuyahoga County transfers more children — most of whom are Black — to adult court than any other Ohio county.
By Abbey Marshall, Stephanie Casanova, Helen Maynard, Rachel Dissell and Cid Standifer
An illustration shows 4 boxes, containing: 1)three people at a shooting range, 2) an armored police vehicle, 3) a surveillance camera, and 4) a police officer wearing a vest.
Cleveland November 15, 2022
In Greater Cleveland, Federal COVID Relief for Criminal Justice Goes Mostly to Pay Police
So far, a fraction of ARPA spending is on long-term violence prevention.
By Rachel Dissell, Anastasia Valeeva and Weihua Li
Three men in blue uniforms sleep on the floor, as one sits on a chair nearby.
News November 4, 2022
Why So Many Jails Are in a ‘State of Complete Meltdown’
Overcrowding, violence and abuse proliferate at jails across the country, as staffing problems make long-simmering problems worse.
By Keri Blakinger
An illustration shows a person using a flashlight to shine light on a security camera. Buildings and additional security cameras are featured in the background.
Cleveland September 28, 2022
Cleveland Has Spent Millions on Police Cameras. Why Are the Locations a Secret?
The city cites citizen safety as a reason for shielding information, but has no policies on use of surveillance technology.
By Rachel Dissell and Mark Puente
A Black man smiles at the camera on a circular blue background. Orange and pink sound waves are behind him.
Cleveland September 21, 2022
Local Mission Includes Connecting with Incarcerated Community to Raise ‘Awareness’
Louis Fields, outreach manager for The Marshall Project - Cleveland, is leading efforts to connect with incarcerated community, including recently released and active family members.
By Rachel Dissell
Testify June 1, 2022
We’re Answering Your Questions About Cleveland’s Court System
We’re answering questions from the community about Cuyahoga County’s criminal courts, and sharing what we have gathered from the public docket of felony cases.
By Ilica Mahajan, Rachel Dissell and Anna Flagg
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