The Appeal
@theappeal.org
We are a worker-run newsroom reporting on the harms of the criminal legal system.
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You can support our work here: https://theappeal.org/donate/
Sign up for our newsletter: https://theappeal.org/newsletter-subscribe/
ICYMI: Last fall, @jewstein3000.bsky.social reported a deep dive into Maryland's troubled Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Last month, an official investigation by the Maryland AG uncovered at least 36 people killed by police whose deaths were misclassified. theappeal.org/maryland-ocm...
How Deep is the Scandal at Maryland’s Medical Examiner Office?
The state launched an investigation after the former chief medical examiner's biased testimony in the George Floyd murder trial. Now, an Appeal analysis finds major flaws in the probe's design.
theappeal.org
June 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
ICYMI: Last fall, @jewstein3000.bsky.social reported a deep dive into Maryland's troubled Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Last month, an official investigation by the Maryland AG uncovered at least 36 people killed by police whose deaths were misclassified. theappeal.org/maryland-ocm...
Reposted by The Appeal
For @theappeal.org, authors @chriswblackwell.bsky.social +
@sarahlsax.bsky.social detail how prison strip searches serve as weapons of humiliation rather than security measures.
theappeal.org/strip-search...
@sarahlsax.bsky.social detail how prison strip searches serve as weapons of humiliation rather than security measures.
theappeal.org/strip-search...
Strip Searches Have a Racist, Dehumanizing Legacy
Strip searches serve as weapons of humiliation rather than security measures
theappeal.org
June 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
For @theappeal.org, authors @chriswblackwell.bsky.social +
@sarahlsax.bsky.social detail how prison strip searches serve as weapons of humiliation rather than security measures.
theappeal.org/strip-search...
@sarahlsax.bsky.social detail how prison strip searches serve as weapons of humiliation rather than security measures.
theappeal.org/strip-search...
Efforts to criminalize trans people and the medical care many trans people rely on continue to escalate at the state and federal levels. Adam M. Rhodes takes a look at what trans people, their loved ones, and medical providers can do to protect themselves: theappeal.org/trans-legal-...
Trump’s War on Trans People: A Legal Survival Guide
State and federal governments have moved to criminalize trans people, parents of trans children, and healthcare providers.
theappeal.org
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Efforts to criminalize trans people and the medical care many trans people rely on continue to escalate at the state and federal levels. Adam M. Rhodes takes a look at what trans people, their loved ones, and medical providers can do to protect themselves: theappeal.org/trans-legal-...
This new op-ed from @joshpage.bsky.social, Anna Hall, and Anna Simonton argues that Minnesota needs more than bail reform—building a safe and just pretrial system requires a ground-up transformation. theappeal.org/minnesota-ba...
Beyond Bail Reform: Minnesota’s Vision for Pretrial Transformation
Creating a safe and just pretrial system in Minnesota requires more than small tweaks—we need a ground-up transformation.
theappeal.org
May 21, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This new op-ed from @joshpage.bsky.social, Anna Hall, and Anna Simonton argues that Minnesota needs more than bail reform—building a safe and just pretrial system requires a ground-up transformation. theappeal.org/minnesota-ba...
🚨 Our newsroom is in crisis. Without urgent donations, The Appeal may not be able to keep publishing.
May 15, 2025 at 7:36 PM
🚨 Our newsroom is in crisis. Without urgent donations, The Appeal may not be able to keep publishing.
Reposted by The Appeal
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report with @theappeal.org:
www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio... /7
www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio... /7
"If You Want to Live, Don't Drink the Water"
www.typeinvestigations.org
May 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report with @theappeal.org:
www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio... /7
www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio... /7
Reposted by The Appeal
After mystery illnesses and toxic reports, prisoners at California’s Mule Creek State Prison worry their water is killing them. @theappeal.org
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report: www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio...
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report: www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio...
"If You Want to Live, Don't Drink the Water"
www.typeinvestigations.org
May 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
After mystery illnesses and toxic reports, prisoners at California’s Mule Creek State Prison worry their water is killing them. @theappeal.org
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report: www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio...
D. Razor Babb, Emily Nonko, and Nina Zweig report: www.typeinvestigations.org/investigatio...
Reposted by The Appeal
New from @theappeal.org and @typeinvestigations.org: For years, people incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison have raised the alarm about mystery diseases and foul-smelling water at the prison. But no one is taking responsibility for ensuring the water is safe. theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
“If You Want to Live, Don’t Drink the Water”
After mystery illnesses and toxic reports, prisoners at California’s Mule Creek State Prison worry their water is killing them.
theappeal.org
May 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
New from @theappeal.org and @typeinvestigations.org: For years, people incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison have raised the alarm about mystery diseases and foul-smelling water at the prison. But no one is taking responsibility for ensuring the water is safe. theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
Reposted by The Appeal
For @typeinvestigations.org and @theappeal.org, D. Razor Babb and Emily Nonko spent over a year investigating (across prison walls) the drinking water concerns at Mule Creek State Prison, where Razor is incarcerated.
"If you want to live, don't drink the water..."
theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
"If you want to live, don't drink the water..."
theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
“If You Want to Live, Don’t Drink the Water”
After mystery illnesses and toxic reports, prisoners at California’s Mule Creek State Prison worry their water is killing them.
theappeal.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
For @typeinvestigations.org and @theappeal.org, D. Razor Babb and Emily Nonko spent over a year investigating (across prison walls) the drinking water concerns at Mule Creek State Prison, where Razor is incarcerated.
"If you want to live, don't drink the water..."
theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
"If you want to live, don't drink the water..."
theappeal.org/mule-creek-d...
Reposted by The Appeal
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
“They took my life away for nothing.”
James Carver spent 36 years in prison for allegedly setting one of the deadliest fires in Massachusetts history.
theappeal.org
May 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
In an earnings call this morning, CoreCivic's CEO told investors that Trump will "supercharge" the private-prison industry.
"Never in our 42-year company history have we had so much activity and demand for our services as we are seeing right now.” theappeal.org/corecivic-ea...
"Never in our 42-year company history have we had so much activity and demand for our services as we are seeing right now.” theappeal.org/corecivic-ea...
CoreCivic CEO: Trump Administration Plans Will ‘Supercharge’ the Private Prison Industry
In a quarterly earnings call, the private prison company told investors that it plans to expand its operations across the country.
theappeal.org
May 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In an earnings call this morning, CoreCivic's CEO told investors that Trump will "supercharge" the private-prison industry.
"Never in our 42-year company history have we had so much activity and demand for our services as we are seeing right now.” theappeal.org/corecivic-ea...
"Never in our 42-year company history have we had so much activity and demand for our services as we are seeing right now.” theappeal.org/corecivic-ea...
Reposted by The Appeal
For @theappeal.org, @chriswblackwell.bsky.social + Antoine Davis write about the infamous "Scared Straight" program.
"There are far better ways to deter at-risk youth from crime."
theappeal.org/prison-mento...
"There are far better ways to deter at-risk youth from crime."
theappeal.org/prison-mento...
Imprisoned People Can Do More than ‘Scare’ Kids ‘Straight’
“Scared straight” programs don’t work. But that doesn’t mean incarcerated people shouldn’t mentor at-risk kids.
theappeal.org
May 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
For @theappeal.org, @chriswblackwell.bsky.social + Antoine Davis write about the infamous "Scared Straight" program.
"There are far better ways to deter at-risk youth from crime."
theappeal.org/prison-mento...
"There are far better ways to deter at-risk youth from crime."
theappeal.org/prison-mento...
Check out Appeal Strategy and Legal Director Molly Greene on a recent episode of Beyond the Box, a criminal-justice-reform podcast from the Urban Justice Center www.urbanjustice.org/podcast/#mol...
Beyond the Box Podcast
Beyond the Box:
The social justice podcast where bold conversations spark real-world change.
Episode List:
Season 2:
Ep3: How Do We Reform a Criminal Legal System that
www.urbanjustice.org
May 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Check out Appeal Strategy and Legal Director Molly Greene on a recent episode of Beyond the Box, a criminal-justice-reform podcast from the Urban Justice Center www.urbanjustice.org/podcast/#mol...
“Scared straight” programs don’t work. But that doesn’t mean incarcerated people shouldn’t mentor at-risk kids. theappeal.org/prison-mento...
Imprisoned People Can Do More than ‘Scare’ Kids ‘Straight’
“Scared straight” programs don’t work. But that doesn’t mean incarcerated people shouldn’t mentor at-risk kids.
theappeal.org
May 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM
“Scared straight” programs don’t work. But that doesn’t mean incarcerated people shouldn’t mentor at-risk kids. theappeal.org/prison-mento...
On today’s quarterly earnings call, for-profit prison operator GEO Group’s CEO J. David Donahue told investors the company is “very excited to support" Trump's mass deportation plans. theappeal.org/geo-group-ea...
Private Prison Company GEO Group “Excited” About Mass Deportation
Exposing the harms of the criminal legal system and elevating solutions that keep all people safe.
theappeal.org
May 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
On today’s quarterly earnings call, for-profit prison operator GEO Group’s CEO J. David Donahue told investors the company is “very excited to support" Trump's mass deportation plans. theappeal.org/geo-group-ea...
Reposted by The Appeal
On today's earnings call, GEO Group CEO told investors the private prison company is “very excited to support the mission at hand.” New from me for @theappeal.org. theappeal.org/geo-group-ea...
Private Prison Company GEO Group “Excited” About Mass Deportation
Exposing the harms of the criminal legal system and elevating solutions that keep all people safe.
theappeal.org
May 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
On today's earnings call, GEO Group CEO told investors the private prison company is “very excited to support the mission at hand.” New from me for @theappeal.org. theappeal.org/geo-group-ea...
Reposted by The Appeal
In a series of unpublicized revisions, DOJ removes references to trans people & gender from critical crime-data surveys
Reports @theappeal.org
Reports @theappeal.org
Trump DOJ Erases Trans People from Crime Data Surveys
Trump's Justice Department has removed questions about gender identity and trans people from at least four federal surveys.
theappeal.org
May 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
In a series of unpublicized revisions, DOJ removes references to trans people & gender from critical crime-data surveys
Reports @theappeal.org
Reports @theappeal.org
Reposted by The Appeal
Scoop from yours truly: In a series of largely unnoticed revisions in late March, the Justice Department deleted questions about gender identity from major surveys, including the National Crime Victimization Survey, possibly violating federal law: theappeal.org/trump-doj-er...
Trump DOJ Erases Trans People from Crime Data Surveys
Trump's Justice Department has removed questions about gender identity and trans people from at least four federal surveys.
theappeal.org
May 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Scoop from yours truly: In a series of largely unnoticed revisions in late March, the Justice Department deleted questions about gender identity from major surveys, including the National Crime Victimization Survey, possibly violating federal law: theappeal.org/trump-doj-er...
Reposted by The Appeal
Have you heard of the 1033 Program? Well, it’s only the beginning…
🎙️ How Local Police are Using Fabricated Panic to Purchase Military Weaponry 📢
The Law & Disorder show, with Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe.bsky.social), who recently exposed the surge for @theappeal.org
open.spotify.com/episode/15Zi...
🎙️ How Local Police are Using Fabricated Panic to Purchase Military Weaponry 📢
The Law & Disorder show, with Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe.bsky.social), who recently exposed the surge for @theappeal.org
open.spotify.com/episode/15Zi...
May 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Have you heard of the 1033 Program? Well, it’s only the beginning…
🎙️ How Local Police are Using Fabricated Panic to Purchase Military Weaponry 📢
The Law & Disorder show, with Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe.bsky.social), who recently exposed the surge for @theappeal.org
open.spotify.com/episode/15Zi...
🎙️ How Local Police are Using Fabricated Panic to Purchase Military Weaponry 📢
The Law & Disorder show, with Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe.bsky.social), who recently exposed the surge for @theappeal.org
open.spotify.com/episode/15Zi...
In a series of unpublicized revisions last month, the DOJ removed references to trans people and gender from at least four critical crime-data surveys, The Appeal has confirmed. theappeal.org/trump-doj-er...
Trump DOJ Erases Trans People from Crime Data Surveys
Trump's Justice Department has removed questions about gender identity and trans people from at least four federal surveys.
theappeal.org
May 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
In a series of unpublicized revisions last month, the DOJ removed references to trans people and gender from at least four critical crime-data surveys, The Appeal has confirmed. theappeal.org/trump-doj-er...
According to a wrongful death lawsuit, staff at the Angelina County Jail stood by as 33-year-old Glenn Smallwood vomited and died in front of them. theappeal.org/texas-jail-s...
Texas Jail Staff Laughed as Army Vet Choked and Died, Lawsuit Says
Staff at the Angelina County Jail allegedly stood by as 33-year-old Glenn Smallwood vomited and died in front of them.
theappeal.org
May 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
According to a wrongful death lawsuit, staff at the Angelina County Jail stood by as 33-year-old Glenn Smallwood vomited and died in front of them. theappeal.org/texas-jail-s...
Louisiana sends children to the adult Jackson Parish Jail, where kids say they're abused and held in solitary confinement. Investigators found the facility violated state rules 83 times between July and February—almost 12 times more than the second-worst lockup. theappeal.org/jackson-pari...
Louisiana Sent Kids to Adult Jail That Violated Scores of Regulations, Reports Say
Investigators found the Jackson Parish Jail violated state rules 83 times between July and February—12 times more than the second-worst jail.
theappeal.org
April 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Louisiana sends children to the adult Jackson Parish Jail, where kids say they're abused and held in solitary confinement. Investigators found the facility violated state rules 83 times between July and February—almost 12 times more than the second-worst lockup. theappeal.org/jackson-pari...
Reposted by The Appeal
NEW from @theappeal.org: Louisiana sent kids to an adult jail that violated scores of regulations, reports say lailluminator.com/2025/04/30/j...
Louisiana sent kids to adult jail that violated scores of regulations, reports say • Louisiana Illuminator
The state moved young people to the Jackson Parish Jail who has been sent to a temporary center at Angola that a judge ordered closed.
lailluminator.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
NEW from @theappeal.org: Louisiana sent kids to an adult jail that violated scores of regulations, reports say lailluminator.com/2025/04/30/j...
Reposted by The Appeal
I obtained inspection reports for a dozen juvenile detention facilities in Louisiana. Jackson Parish Jail had more violations than the combined total of those facilities and almost 12 times more than the second-worst lock-up. My latest investigation for @theappeal.org. theappeal.org/jackson-pari...
Louisiana Sent Kids to Adult Jail That Violated Scores of Regulations, Reports Say
Investigators found the Jackson Parish Jail violated state rules 83 times between July and February—12 times more than the second-worst jail.
theappeal.org
April 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I obtained inspection reports for a dozen juvenile detention facilities in Louisiana. Jackson Parish Jail had more violations than the combined total of those facilities and almost 12 times more than the second-worst lock-up. My latest investigation for @theappeal.org. theappeal.org/jackson-pari...
Reposted by The Appeal
BREAKING: Trump’s Department of Justice has cut all funding to the national Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center, according to a letter obtained by The Appeal. theappeal.org/trump-doj-de...
Trump DOJ Defunds National Prison Rape Resource Center
A letter obtained exclusively by The Appeal says Trump’s Department of Justice has defunded the Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center.
theappeal.org
April 23, 2025 at 10:16 PM
BREAKING: Trump’s Department of Justice has cut all funding to the national Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center, according to a letter obtained by The Appeal. theappeal.org/trump-doj-de...