Christie Thompson, USA TODAY

Christie Thompson

USA TODAY

Seattle, WA, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • USA TODAY
  • PeoplesWorld
  • The Marshall Project
  • VICE
  • The Atlantic
  • ProPublica

Past articles by Christie:

As police arrest more seniors, those with dementia face deadly consequences

Many cities are changing how they respond to mental health calls, but less attention has been paid to the unique risks for people with brain diseases. → Read More

How America’s newest prison became one of its deadliest

Bobby Everson was nearing the end of his decade-long federal prison sentence, but he feared he wouldn’t make it home alive. In July 2021, he was sent to the Special Management Unit at the new U.S. → Read More

Freed From Prison After 26 Years—Into a Coronavirus Hotspot

During the COVID-19 crisis, people coming home after decades behind bars find loved ones in quarantine, dire job prospects and overwhelmed social services agencies. → Read More

One Company’s Pitch: Get Out of Prison By Wearing a Smartwatch

Another dubious get-out-early offer is spreading through federal prisons. Lawyers say it’s a fake. → Read More

I Spent 22 Years in Solitary Confinement. Then I Didn’t Want to Leave

After spending 22 years in solitary confinement, anything larger than my cell threw me into panic. → Read More

When Michigan Cut Off Visits for Some Prisoners Indefinitely

It’s been nearly 25 years since Michigan adopted a controversial visitation policy. Families have been fighting it ever since. → Read More

How the Federal Bureau of Prisons Slashed Care for the Mentally Ill

The Bureau of Prisons set higher standards for psychiatric care. But instead of helping more inmates, the agency dropped thousands from its caseload, data shows. → Read More

The Isolation of Being Deaf in Prison

“I didn’t have a way to communicate. And they basically just flipped me the bird.” → Read More

A Legal Technician May Be an Answer in Civil Cases

Civil representation is too expensive for many, but Washington state has one solution → Read More

Why Are Joe Biden and the NRA Endorsing State Judges?

Wisconsin shows off the new normal in judicial elections: political, expensive and often about something else. Wisconsin shows off the new normal in judicial elections: political, expensive and often about something else. → Read More

Federal Bureau of Prisons Rarely OKs “Compassionate Release,” Data Shows

“Compassionate release” has bipartisan support as a way to reduce the federal prison population and save taxpayer money. New data shows that it’s rarely used. “Compassionate release” has bipartisan support as a way to reduce the federal prison population and save taxpayer money. New data shows that it’s rarely used. → Read More

Take Our Quiz: The Year in Criminal Justice

How well do you remember 2017’s biggest stories?How well do you remember 2017’s biggest stories? → Read More

Why Many Deaf Prisoners Can’t Call Home

Faulty and outdated technology is pervasive, and upgrades are slow in coming. → Read More

How ICE Uses Secret Police Databases to Arrest Immigrants

Recent lawsuits claim the agency is targeting people for deportation based on spurious allegations of gang connections. → Read More

How ICE Uses Secret Police Databases to Arrest Immigrants

Recent lawsuits claim the agency is targeting people for deportation based on spurious allegations of gang connections. → Read More

Finally, Mentally Ill Immigrants Are Getting Access to Lawyers

A new federal program is actually providing legal aid to some people in detention under Donald Trump. → Read More

One Bit of Good News for Immigrants in Detention

As a federal program grows, more mentally ill immigrants have access to attorneys. → Read More

Prosecutors Are Quietly Helping Protect Immigrants from Trump

These DAs are trying to avoid slapping immigrants with criminal charges that could eventually get them deported. → Read More

How Prosecutors Are Fighting Trump’s Deportation Plans

Some D.A.’s urge new discretion on pleas, sentences. → Read More

A Fresh Take on Ending the Jail-to-Street-to-Jail Cycle

For troubled repeat offenders, a chance at a supportive place to live. → Read More