Federal authorities are on pace to make more than 2.3 million arrests during the 2022 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. That will far exceed last year’s record of more than 1.7 million arrests.
Jolie McCullough
Jolie McCullough was a reporter at The Texas Tribune from 2015 to 2023. She began as a data visualization journalist and then reported on criminal justice policy, ranging from policing and courts to prisons and the death penalty. She joined the Tribune from the Albuquerque Journal, her hometown newspaper. She previously worked at the Arizona Republic and is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Posted in
Juvenile Justice
In Texas youth prisons, children trapped in their cells use water bottles and lunch trays for toilets
Gov. Greg Abbott largely remained silent as dangerous conditions caused by a lack of staff persisted at Texas juvenile facilities during the summer.
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Mom says trans eighth grader was questioned by Texas investigator at school
A declaration recounting the incident was filed as part of an ongoing lawsuit by LGBTQ legal advocates.
Posted in
Immigration
Eight migrants dead after dozens swept downriver along Rio Grande
Federal officials said the drownings occurred Thursday morning after a large group attempted to cross the Rio Grande, whose currents were running swiftly after several days of rain.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texan Kellye SoRelle, lawyer for Oath Keepers, is charged in Jan. 6 insurrection
Federal prosecutors in part allege the Granbury attorney destroyed and hid potential evidence to obstruct the criminal investigation into the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, indicting her on a charge of tampering with documents.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
“It’s a living hell”: Scorching heat in Texas prisons revives air-conditioning debate
Texas heat has killed prisoners and cost the state millions in wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits. Prison rights advocates hope a budget surplus next year will finally push lawmakers to invest in air conditioning.
Posted in
Operation Lone Star
Judge in Texas border crackdown accused of using racist slur against migrants
Allen Amos, a visiting judge handling trespassing cases under Gov. Greg Abbott’s “catch-and-jail” border operation, allegedly used the derogatory term in a recent conversation with a defense attorney.
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Criminal Justice
Texas executes Kosoul Chanthakoummane for the 2006 murder of a real estate agent
DNA evidence tied Chanthakoummane to Sarah Walker’s murder at a model home in Collin County. In last-minute appeals, his attorneys argue the evidence was not conclusive.
Posted in
Health care
Sutherland Springs shooting victims fight for government to admit liability nearly five years later
In February, a federal judge ordered the Air Force to pay $230 million to shooting survivors, families of victims. But feds are appealing the case.
Posted in
Juvenile Justice
Lawmakers decry collapsing Texas juvenile prison system, ask Abbott to call special session
Without a jolt of funding, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department will struggle to hire workers and regain control over the safety and treatment of almost 600 incarcerated youth, its acting director told lawmakers at a hearing.
