Family members of people who died behind bars are a critical part of the reporting process. They can help establish a timeline of events by sharing what complaints they heard leading up to the death and providing access to much-needed documents such as medical records. Including these details in your reporting can help readers understand the emotional toll of deaths behind bars. Families may also be pursuing a lawsuit when deaths are presumed to be wrongful, which can provide you access to additional documentation.
Speaking with families opens up two main lines of reporting. The first is accountability-focused. Reporters can identify the information gaps families face while trying to learn what led to a death and the policy-driven obstacles involved with acquiring the remains and keepsakes of their loved ones. The second is service-oriented. With families in mind, The Marshall Project created a guide on the steps families can take to get information or seek accountability after a loss. Both of these lines of reporting were powered by a callout that connected us with people wanting to share their stories.
Below, we’ve summarized recommendations from Engagement Reporter Aala Abdullahi on how to reach and work with families who have lost someone in custody.
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