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A view of the penitentiary from above. Several of the buildings in the foreground comprise the SMU.

Double-celled Solitary Confinement

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Feature
A Warden Tried to Fix an Abusive Prison. He Faced Death Threats.
He was tasked with ending abuse at a federal penitentiary, but he says his own officers and the Bureau of Prisons stood in the way.
A collage illustration shows pieces of two handwritten letters with large print reading “URGENT” and “This is an emergency issue – please help.” A typed letter from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons details the findings of an investigation into allegations of staff misconduct. Underneath these letters are images including the Thomson prison, handcuffs and a keyboard.
Left, a Black woman holds a photo of herself in a red dress sitting alongside her husband, a Black man with a beard wearing a blue T-shirt and a gold crucifix chain; right, the Black woman with short hair, earrings and a white shirt, looks into the distance.
Inside Story March 23, 2023
Violence on the Inside, Mentorship From the Outside
We investigate violence at one of the newest federal prisons and talk with La La Anthony about preparing incarcerated youth for life on the outside.
By and
A tan guard tower and prison yard at an Illinois facility. There are wire fences and buildings in the background.
News February 14
After Several Deaths, Feds to Close Violent Prison Unit in Illinois
In 2022, The Marshall Project and NPR revealed deadly, dangerous and cramped conditions.
By , The Marshall Project and Joseph Shapiro, NPR
The federal prison complex in Thomson, Illinois.
News June 14, 2022
Lawmakers Call for Probe Into Deadly Federal Prison
Following a Marshall Project/NPR report detailing violence and abuse at the newest federal penitentiary, three members of Congress asked the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate.
By , The Marshall Project and Joseph Shapiro, NPR
The U.S. penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois.
Analysis May 31, 2022
Five Things to Know About One of the Deadliest Federal Prisons
Key takeaways from our investigation into deaths and abuse at a U.S. penitentiary.
By
A photo collage shows Bobby Everson in a tan prison outfit in front of abstract paintings, an image of the U.S. penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois, and a handwritten letter.
Feature May 31, 2022
How the Newest Federal Prison Became One of the Deadliest
Fatal beatings. A “torture room.” Pairs of men held around the clock in tiny cells, tempers rising. “They’re literally afraid for their lives,” one lawyer said.
By , The Marshall Project and Joseph Shapiro, NPR
At home this fall—decades after his time in the Army—Chuck laid out his Class A dress uniform and official service picture.
Feature December 17, 2019
Chuck Coma Comes Home
He was one of the thousands of people assaulted in federal prisons each year. After his cellmate nearly killed him, he returned to his family a broken man.
By
The U.S. Penitentiary at Lewisburg in Pennsylvania in 2010.
News June 12, 2017
Where Crossword Puzzles Count as Counseling
A new lawsuit alleges poor care for mentally ill inmates at one of the highest security prisons in the country.
By
Feature October 26, 2016
28 Days in Chains
In this federal prison, inmates have a choice: live with a violent cellmate or end up in shackles.
By and Joseph Shapiro
Feature March 24, 2016
The Deadly Consequences of Solitary With a Cellmate
Imagine living in a cell that’s smaller than a parking space — with a homicidal roommate.
By and Joe Shapiro
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