COVID-19 was the crucible that shaped our year, as everyone’s, in 2020. The pandemic caused us to shift plans, cancel travel, and work remotely. But it also inspired creativity and resulted in powerful and important journalism.
As coronavirus cases began to soar in March, our reporters immediately started reaching out to prison officials in all 50 states and the federal system to track the number of prisoners and staff who tested positive for the virus and those who died. The tracker, updated weekly, has become an essential resource for other journalists, scholars and even prisons themselves.
Beyond the pandemic, we collaborated with journalists in Alabama, Indiana and Chicago on a ground-breaking investigation into the devastating injuries caused by the misuse of police dogs nationwide. Our year-long reporting led us into this hidden world, where maulings are common and oversight is rare.