Latest Investigation
Rollins: Suffolk County Sheriff Never Alerted DA Of Inmate’s Death, Despite Protocols
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins says the sheriff's department should have reported an inmate's death to the DA's office for review. The inmate's family believes poor medical care contributed to his death in 2015.
In Trove Of Emails To State Officials, Feds Downplayed Coronavirus Risks
Federal health agencies' emails to state officials repeatedly downplayed the looming threat in the first three months of 2020, causing confusion and delaying action in Massachusetts and across the country.
Dying on the Sheriff's Watch
When Inmates Die Of Poor Medical Care, Jails Often Keep It Secret
A WBUR investigation found that when people suffered from dire medical conditions in Massachusetts jails, they were often ignored and mistrusted, with fatal consequences. Here’s part one of “Dying on the Sheriff’s Watch.”
Part Two
Pain And Profits: Sheriffs Hand Off Inmate Care To Private Health Companies
Inside county jails, inmates have suffered, and sometimes died, under the care of companies with contracts aimed at curbing costs and hospital trips.
Part Three
Inside One Jail's Health Care Problems And ‘Culture Of Impunity’
Corrections officers play a leading role in how medical care is handled at county jails. They can save lives in emergencies. They also can delay care.
Part Four
Powerful Sheriffs Rarely Held To Account As Families Fight For The Truth
When inmates die, holding jails accountable can be a frustrating battle that pits families against the legal resources of sheriffs. For many, justice feels out of reach. Here's part four of "Dying on the Sheriff's Watch."
Gaps In Tracking Jail Deaths A ‘National Scandal’
Lawmakers call for more transparency from Mass. sheriffs after a WBUR investigation found some people died in county jails following poor medical care.
Mass. Prisons And Jails Among Hardest Hit By Coronavirus In U.S.
This is a snapshot in time amid a fast-moving pandemic, as the number of infected inmates, corrections officers and medical staff jumps by the day. As of Tuesday, WBUR found the coronavirus has infected nearly 15,000 inmates and corrections workers nationally and has killed more than 130.
What We Learned While Investigating Medical Care In Mass. County Jails
WBUR’s four-day investigation into medical care in Massachusetts county jails found inmates suffering, and sometimes dying, as a result of poor medical care.
Reporters’ Notebook: How WBUR Told ‘Dying On The Sheriff’s Watch’
WBUR’s investigative team set out with a question: How many people have died in county jails across Massachusetts over the past decade, and what happened to them? Here's how reporters told "Dying on the Sheriff's Watch."
First Listen: Dying On The Sheriff's Watch
A new WBUR investigation found inmates in medical distress at county jails were often ignored even as their illnesses turned into emergencies, with deadly consequences.