Pennsylvania

Life Inside November 17, 2016

My Daughter Died After Spending Four Days in Jail

“Her eyes were slightly open, but vacant.”

By Stephanie Moyer

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 Christie Thompson and Joseph Shapiro

Case in Point September 22, 2016

Is a Life in Solitary “Cruel and Unusual?”

In Pennsylvania, the heart of solitary confinement reform, an intellectually disabled inmate says he’s been held in wretched isolation for 36 years.

By Andrew Cohen

Commentary June 9, 2016

Poster Child

How Terrance Williams became the face of the death penalty debate in Pennsylvania.

By Andrew Cohen

Q&A June 7, 2016

The Amazing iPhone-sniffing Prison Dogs

Who knew cell phones had a smell?

By Maurice Chammah

News November 3, 2015

Will Pennsylvania Do Away With Elections for Supreme Court?

An expensive, tough-on-crime race tests the current system.

By Christie Thompson

News August 11, 2015

Why Three Counties That Loved the Death Penalty Have Almost Stopped Pursuing It

A closer look at get-tough DAs.

By Simone Seiver

Feature August 4, 2015

The New Science of Sentencing

Should prison sentences be based on crimes that haven’t been committed yet?

By Anna Maria Barry-Jester, Ben Casselman and Dana Goldstein

News April 17, 2015

Long Shorts and Baggy Shirts

An immigration detention facility tries a new method for curbing sexual assault: Make the women dress differently.

By Maurice Chammah

Feature March 6, 2015

Inexcusable Absences

Skipping school is a problem. But why is it a crime?

By Dana Goldstein

Commentary February 18, 2015

Making Overseers into Advocates

A social worker’s take on the misery of probation.

By Jeff Deeney

News February 13, 2015

Another Death Penalty Moratorium

As Pennsylvania hits pause on capital punishment, the script sounds familiar.

By Ken Armstrong

News November 24, 2014

Do Convicted Killers Deserve Free Speech?

In the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Pennsylvania says no.

By Beth Schwartzapfel