jail | WITF

Without a statewide solution, some local officials are finding ways to prevent people unfit to stand trial from getting trapped in the criminal justice system.

By Danielle Ohl/Spotlight PA

March 9, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Determining if someone is mentally fit for trial in Pa. often traps them in the place making them worse — jail

A Spotlight PA/PINJ investigation found few state hospital beds for those with severe mental illness, ill-equipped jails, and a system so broken some defense attorneys avoid it entirely.

By Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Brittany Hailer of the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism

February 23, 2023 | 1:41 PM

tag | jail

Prisoners with developmental disabilities face unique challenges. One facility is offering solutions

Staffing shortages in Pa. jails, prisons continue but are improving

Pennsylvania lawmakers look to increase voting access for people behind bars

Jailbreaks in Pennsylvania are not as common as recent events imply

After recent escapes, PA Republicans plan to introduce bills to improve jail security

How some police, attorneys, and jails are trying to help Pa.’s ailing system for mentally ill people

Determining if someone is mentally fit for trial in Pa. often traps them in the place making them worse — jail

Deaths in custody are a crisis, but data on them is a black hole, a new report says

One of the deadliest federal prison units is closing

Dauphin County hired ‘expert’ to review jail deaths, but won’t release report