Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "youth prison" ...

  • Arrested Development

    For thousands of youths accused of crimes, punishment preceeds any conviction. The may be held for months or even years in county jails for -- and sometimes with -- adult suspects. Scripps Howard News Service reports on the 7,500 junveiles in adult jails at any time, their conditions of confinement and how a loophole in federal law allows jails in 29 states to house juveniles with adults.

    Tags: crime; youth; prison

    By Isaac Wolf

    Scripps Howard News Service

    2011

  • Inside and Out

    Three years after Illinois broke off its youth prisons from the adult system, WBEZ set off to see what changed and found very little. Libraries without proper books, a locked computer lab, abysmal vocational education, and increasing suicide attempts characterized the youth prisons.

    Tags: youth prison; juvenile; prison; jail; treatment

    By Robert Wildeboer; Gabriel Spitzer; Adriene Hill; Sam Hudzik; Linda Paul; Carlos Javier Ortiz; Bill Healy; Cate Cahan

    WBEZ Radio (Chicago)

    2010

  • Walking into Danger

    The unprecedented investigation takes an in-depth look at child abduction in Chicago. The reporters found that every other day a stranger tries to lure or force a child into a building or vehicle. Furthermore, the majority of these predators avoided prison time due to breakdowns in the legal system.

    Tags: child abduction; kidnapping; sex offender; youth; predator

    By David Jackson; Gary Marx

    Chicago Tribune

    2010

  • For Their Own Good

    This story exposes juveniles, who are to serve trial as adults, are being held in isolation for over 20 hours a day. This process can last months or years while these juveniles wait for trial. The jail provides "less than the required minimum amount of education and physical activity". This story also revealed that judges and county officials weren't aware of the treatment of these juveniles. Though, state juvenile justice advocates were aware of the process, they did nothing to stop it.

    Tags: Harris county; juveniles; solitary confinement; adults; judges; Texas; youth; prisons; jail; justice department; kids

    By Chris Vogel

    Houston Press

    2009

  • Adolfo's Story

    Adolfo Davis has been in jail since the age of fourteen, sentence to life in prison without parole for murder. In Illinois, it's legal to question a fourteen-year-old without the presence of a defense attorney so long as a youth officer is present, and the child is made aware of his rights.

    Tags: accountability; murder; drug territory; parole; probation officer; testimony; sentencing

    By Linda Paul; Cate Cahan

    Chicago Public Radio

    2008

  • TYC Abuse Scandal

    "This rolling investigation documents the sexual and physical abuse of teenaged inmates at het prisons operated by the Texas Youth Commissions, the state's juvenile justice agency. It reveals abuse, filthy living conditions, lax medical care, inept and uncaring administrators, troubled contractors, questionable business dealings and a brutal climate of fear and retaliation."

    Tags: juvenile prisons; juvenile justice; abuse; sexual abuse; inmates; Texas Youth Commission

    By Doug Swanson; Holly Becka; Gregg Jones; Jennifer LaFleur; Steve McGonigle; Emily Ramshaw

    Dallas Morning News

    2007

  • Teen Crime, Adult Time

    An exploration of the Colorado justice system's strong emphasis on life-without-parole sentences for teens as criminal punishments, even for juveniles.

    Tags: youth offender; prison; court; minor; felony murder; sam mandez;

    By Miles Moffeit; Kevin Simpson

    Denver Post

    2006

  • Harsh Medicine

    In New York ,Prison Health,Inc., was the health care provider for pre-trial detainees and troubled youths at Rikers Island and inside the city Juvenile Justice Department. It is also the largest company responsible for medical and mental health care in American jails. However, Prison Health was operating illegally in New York and also was responsible for multiple deaths due to its providing of inadequate medical or mental heath care.

    Tags: health care; prisons; mental health care; medical health care; Prison Health,Inc.

    By Paul von Zeilbauer

    New York Times

    2005

  • Sex Abuse Continues; Juvenile offenders often locked in rooms together

    Staff reporter, Geoff Dutton of the Columbus Dispatch talks about the rate of sexual offenses amongst juveniles in Ohio's only prison for young rapists and sexual molesters. As this reporter discovered, there is widespread sexual activity among the inmates in this prison and also among inmates and the security personnel. The follow-up stories also covers how the facility lacks good counselors and social workers.

    Tags: CAR; FOIA; Ohio's only prison for juvenile sexual offenders; juveniles crimes; juvenile prisons; inmates in juvenile prisons; Department of Youth Services; Circleville juvenile prison; Circleville; OH; Circleville

    By Geoff Dutton

    Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)

    2004

  • Where Hope is Locked Away: California's Youth Prisons. A Mercury News Special Report.

    This series examines California's failing youth prison system. The state pledged that all youth would receive counseling and rehabilitative treatment, but it seems like the system is too flawed to keep those promises. Now, tear gas, gang violence, and fear are much more common than progress. The reporters specifically focused on five issues: education, treatment, sentencing, parole and alternatives. They compare the California system to better ones in Texas and Missouri.

    Tags: Youth Authority; juvenile delinquents; abuse; sex offenders; therapy; mental health; rehabilitation; drugs

    By Karen de Sa;Brandon Bailey;Griff Palmer

    Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

    2004