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Department of Justice

Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Analysis
How We Cleaned Up and Clarified Federal Data on Deaths in Custody
Data collected under the Death in Custody Reporting Act has some serious problems. Here’s how we fixed some of them.
A photo shows incarcerated people seen through a fence covered in black mesh, standing in a yard outside.
An illustration shows an overhead view of a crowd of incarcerated people wearing plain shirts and striped pants. The people are standing with their arms behind their backs while one person, shown with a faded outline, lies on the floor. Between the people are faded blue outlines of other incarcerated people over orange circles.
Jackson September 11
‘Catastrophic Failures’: Why Dozens of Killings In Mississippi Prisons Go Unanswered
At least 42 incarcerated people have been killed in the last decade. Just six people have been convicted in their deaths.
By , The Marshall Project, and Mina Corpuz, Mississippi Today
A color photo shows a group of Black women in a circle of healing inside the Williams Memorial CME Temple.
Analysis September 5
Federal Cuts Disrupt Local Justice Programs, but Communities Push Forward
Programs that combat violence and support victims are thrown into chaos after the Trump administration ‘weaponized’ funding for its political goals.
By and
An illustration shows a spreadsheet, where the cells contain small drawn figures of people in teal-colored jumpsuits in different poses (sitting, standing, leaning). On the right is a menu of options: Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete Cell. Delete Cell is highlighted.
Feature August 7
Why Doesn’t the U.S. Government Know How Many People Die in Custody?
Under the Death in Custody Reporting Act, the government is supposed to track how many people die in law enforcement custody — but the data is a mess.
By , and
A group of men, including from left, Stewart Rhodes, a man with light-toned skin, wearing a black hat and glasses with a patch over his left eye, and Enrique Tarrio, a man with medium-toned skin, wearing sunglasses and a black baseball cap, stand outside in Washington, D.C. Both have their thumbs up.
Feature July 28
Trump Flouts Pardon Rules — and Costs Victims and Taxpayers More Than $1 Billion
Many of the president’s recent pardons violate Justice Department policies designed to ensure fairness and public safety.
By
A photo illustration with a black and white photograph of the exterior of a prison in the background with red rectangles overlaying it. In the middle is a semi-circle with the typewritten text from several phrases, including “tortured for 18 hours with an..” and “I began to feel a sharp pain on the left side of my chest.” Below the text is a photo of an officer's hands on the wrist of a man in handcuffs.
News July 11
Shackled For Days and Weeks: A Federal Report Finds Widespread Abuse in Prisons
The report, by the Justice Department’s internal watchdog, comes after an investigative series by The Marshall Project and NPR exposed similar abuses.
By Joseph Shapiro, NPR
A photo of a White woman with brown hair holding a phone while talking to a White man wearing a blue shirt. The man is out of focus and seen from behind.
Analysis June 17
A North Carolina County Wanted New Court to Stem Its Opioid Crisis. Then Came Trump’s Cuts.
As the Justice Department slashes funding to programs across the U.S., Wilkes County’s planned recovery court was halted before it started.
By
A photograph shows two police officers standing next to a gate on a street. One officer is wearing a helmet and holds a wooden baton.
Closing Argument May 24
As Trump Abandons Police Reforms, These Local Officials Vow to Press On
The Department of Justice said it’s pulling back from policing changes. Will cities and states have the tools to enforce them?
By and
A photograph shows a crowd of police officers, wearing riot gear and holding batons, standing in formation in the middle of a street.
Closing Argument May 17
Five Years After George Floyd’s Murder, Police Reforms Are Being Rolled Back
As reforms stall in some states, the U.S. Supreme Court just made it easier for police to be sued — and perhaps easier for police to defend themselves.
By
A police officer, wearing a cap, a vest and navy uniform, looks at a computer screen while sitting at desk.
Closing Argument May 3
There’s a Lot to Learn About Crime. Trump’s Orders Are Making It Harder to Get Answers.
The administration so far has cut funds for tracking bad cops, shootings and violent extremism, cancelled crime prevention grants, and more.
By
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