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Josh Vaughn

@joshuapvaughn.bsky.social
3.3K followers 1.2K following 331 posts

Investigative reporter for PennLive in Harrisburg, Pa “High-impact prison reporting of the journalist Joshua Vaughn” - Rolling Stone

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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
And a reminder, the vast vast majority of incarcerated people don’t have access to 988 because jails and prison simply choose to not allow it.
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 28/09/2026
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The heartbreaking reality is that many incarcerated people contemplate and/or die by suicide — even after release. This is what the mental health crisis looks like inside the carceral system 🧵
Infographic card with a yellow ribbon and text: U.S. prisons and jails are increasingly deadly places.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Finally got a “scanning” setup with an actual camera and macro lens. So so so much nicer than using the iPhone.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Suicide is the leading cause of death in jails yet the overwhelming majority of people incarcerated do not have access to call 988. Jails can absolutely provide access. They just don’t. 988lifeline.org/about/
988lifeline.org
About 988
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its…
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Took my Olympus Pen F half-frame 35mm camera out to Kipona Festival in Harrisburg to test it out today.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I started compiling photos of roadside memorials into a website as a documentary photography project. alnf.us
alnf.us
Always Loved, Never Forgotten
Always Loved, Never Forgotten — a documentary photography project about roadside memorials, memory, grief, and the landscapes where people are remembered.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Cockroaches were found in the kitchen of Dauphin County Prison but they were allowed to keep serving thousands of meals each day. A new bill would require full restaurant inspections for prisons and jails in Pa. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/08...
pennlive.com
Pa. prisons serve 1M+ meals a week, but get less oversight than hot dog carts
A new bill aims to fix that. Advocates say treatment of food-borne illnesses among incarcerated people likely exceeds the cost to run cleaner kitchens.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Some photos shot on my Kiev 60 and Yashica Mat 124g. Developed at home with CineStill DF96.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Cheap “scanner” but happy with how the film turned out. Second roll developed at home. 1960s Voigtlander Vitomatic II
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
First roll through the new-to-me Yashica Mat 124g. First time shooting film in a long time.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
This one is called “Not a Tree”
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Josh Vaughn, Emmy nominee. Yup, I like it.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I think I’m just going to Ansel Adams it from now on.
Black and white tree on the middle of a field. There is a farm house in the distance to the right and a dirt road to the left.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
It’s so pretty!!!!!!
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Timeline cleanse. Look at this photo I took.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Tomorrow is the deadline for the Pa legislature to change its second-degree murder law and create a constitutional sentencing scheme. Instead of hearing from lawmakers, maybe take a listen to who the people serving life actually are. open.spotify.com/show/22eyt7g...
open.spotify.com
What Is Life?
Podcast · Joshua Vaughn · What is Life is a podcast that gives people serving life without the possibility of parole in Pennsylvania a chance to tell their story in their own voice.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
5 weeks in taking Sermorelin and l-carnitine - sleep is way better, energy is way up, workouts are better and recovery is faster. Sleeping through the night and waking up rested is wild. Is this how all you are living, going to bed and not waking up exhausted?
static.klipy.com
Yeah Strong - Little Girl Flexes
ALT: Yeah Strong - Little Girl Flexes
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Congratulations to the De-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition "Citizens Bank to end current financing of CoreCivic and The GEO Group"- docs.google.com/document/u/0...
docs.google.com
DeICE CitizensMediaStatement20260717.docx
Statement from the De-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition – July 17, 2026 Media Contact: Peyton Fleming, peytonfleming22@gmail.com, 857-361-2884 Citizens Bank to end current financing of CoreCivic and The ...
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I woke myself up laughing last night for the first time in quite a while. It used to be a reasonably common occurrence that I would have a dream that made me left to the point I’d wake. Makes wonder if this is normal. Anyone else laugh themselves awake?
static.klipy.com
Jack Nicholson's Iconic Laugh
ALT: Jack Nicholson's Iconic Laugh
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
I call this piece “Child’s first property damage” or “Door sans glass”
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Throw-back Thursday when I was just a wee pup starting out in the news industry.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
This aged like a glass of milk left out on a hot summer day.
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
PennLive exclusive: Pa Gov. Josh Shapiro is calling for an independent and thorough investigation of Moshannon Valley Processing Center after state inspectors and county officials were turned away by ICE and GEO Group last week. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...
pennlive.com
Gov. Shapiro calls for inspection of ICE facility after county official blocked from entering
The commissioner was trying to see for himself if there were signs of abuse, assault and neglect after hearing complaints.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
PennLive exclusive: Pa Gov. Josh Shapiro is calling for an independent and thorough investigation of Moshannon Valley Processing Center after state inspectors and county officials were turned away by ICE and GEO Group last week. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...
pennlive.com
Gov. Shapiro calls for inspection of ICE facility after county official blocked from entering
The commissioner was trying to see for himself if there were signs of abuse, assault and neglect after hearing complaints.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I skipped a lot of leg days and now I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow
static.klipy.com
Cute Cartoon Dog Doing Legs For Days Workout
ALT: Cute Cartoon Dog Doing Legs For Days Workout
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Women have now come forward accusing the chaplain at Moshannon Valley Processing Center (the largest ICE jail the northeast) of sexual abuse. Is he a predator who prays? www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...
pennlive.com
Women claim sexual abuse by chaplain at Pa. ICE facility
Two incarcerated women at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center say Chaplain Mark Melhorn used his position to sexually assault them.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Women have now come forward accusing the chaplain at Moshannon Valley Processing Center (the largest ICE jail the northeast) of sexual abuse. Is he a predator who prays? www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...
pennlive.com
Women claim sexual abuse by chaplain at Pa. ICE facility
Two incarcerated women at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center say Chaplain Mark Melhorn used his position to sexually assault them.
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Shaheen Pasha @profpasha.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The 7th story in our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social & @pennlive.com 8-part series on Moshannon Detention Facility by me and @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social looks at how visitation can be weaponized for immigrant detainees and their families. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...
pennlive.com
Husband of Pa. ICE facility detainee struggles with separation, visiting rules: ‘We just have to wait’
It takes all day for Justin Jones to get to see his husband through a piece of plexiglass at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, illustrating the challenges loved ones face.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
This comes after GEO and ICE allowed Reps Deluzio and Lee into Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pa but refused to allow their translator in. Neither of these moves scream “transparency”
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Senator Andy Kim @kim.senate.gov · 06/06/2026
I went to Delaney Hall to follow up on conversations I had this morning with family members of detainees. ICE and GEO Group did not let me speak with detainees. Why do they insist on hiding the truth even after getting almost $1 billion of tax dollars?
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Just dropped - Jaime Martinez spent 8 days in April walking 130 miles from the ICE office in Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center (the largest ICE facility in the Northeast) He did it as a pilgrimage of dignity for immigrants. (Documentary) www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
‘Pilgrimage of Dignity’: Man walks 130 miles to highlight conditions at Pa. ICE facility
Jaime Martinez spent eight days in April trekking from Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center. PennLive videoed some of the journey.
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Shaheen Pasha @profpasha.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Female detainees shared stories of medical negligence, mistreatment & sexual assault at Moshannon Detention Center with Congress members at an unannounced oversight visit. Mine and @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social latest for @pennlive.com @pennstateuniv.bsky.social www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Women in Pa. ICE detention facility call out for help from lawmakers, who were ushered away
The Congress members got inside the Moshannon Valley Processing Center for an unannounced visit for the first time after previously being shut out.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Women inside Moshannon Valley Processing Center told Reps Lee and Deluzio about medical neglect and abuse they suffered in the ICE jail. When women tried to report about sexual abuse, the Reps were ushered out by Moshannon and ICE staff. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Women in Pa. ICE detention facility call out for help from lawmakers, who were ushered away
The Congress members got inside the Moshannon Valley Processing Center for an unannounced visit for the first time after previously being shut out.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
US Reps Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio conducted the first-ever congressional oversight visit of Moshannon Valley Processing Center Thursday. Story to come @pennlive.com
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
Shaheen Pasha @profpasha.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
This is a must read and must watch by my friend @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social. Take a long walk in the shoes of a man protesting the conditions of detainees at ICE facility Moshannon. The sixth in our 8 part series for @pennlive.com and @pennstateuniv.bsky.social www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
‘Pilgrimage of Dignity’: Man walks 130 miles to highlight conditions at Pa. ICE facility
Jaime Martinez spent eight days in April trekking from Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center. PennLive videoed some of the journey.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Just dropped - Jaime Martinez spent 8 days in April walking 130 miles from the ICE office in Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center (the largest ICE facility in the Northeast) He did it as a pilgrimage of dignity for immigrants. (Documentary) www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
‘Pilgrimage of Dignity’: Man walks 130 miles to highlight conditions at Pa. ICE facility
Jaime Martinez spent eight days in April trekking from Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center. PennLive videoed some of the journey.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Excited that my second short documentary for PennLive drops tomorrow morning. I spent 4 days in April with a group that walked 130 miles from Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest ICE facility in the Northeast.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Clearfield County Commisioners have the opportunity to either end their contract with ICE in September, and effectively shut down Moshannon Valley Processing Center, or build new independent oversight measures into the agreement. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
‘What are they hiding?’: County officials could change oversight at Pa. ICE facility
Clearfield County commissioners will have to decide by September if they want to renew and change their contract with ICE.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
This is now at least the 4th hunger strike at an ICE facility, including one at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pa last month.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Prompted by ICE failing to turn over medical records that could have prevented Chaofeng Ge’s death by suicide at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, Dauphin County Prison will no longer hand over people to ICE without a signed, judicial warrant. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Dauphin County Prison will no longer stall inmates’ release to give ICE time for pickup
The prison will still comply with judicial warrants; it just won’t hold prisoners past their scheduled release on the orders of executive branch federal officials.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson repeatedly shouted over Rony’s attorney and ultimately stormed out of the courtroom. “Yes, running away is a great idea. That’s very professional, your honor,” the lawyer said. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Mom separated from teen son in ICE detainment: ‘I would trade places with him’
Adelia Mejia came to the United States in hopes of a better education for her children. Now, her son Rony is facing deportation in a Pa. detention facility.
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John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
We need to stop calling these Art I, at-will appointees of the president "judges." They are not. They are executive-branch administrators, not independent judges. Calling them judges is an intentional effort to mask who they are, make them seem like something they are not. (Not blaming Josh here!)
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Shaheen Pasha @profpasha.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
This was a hard one for all of us watching this 18-year-old kid in ICE detention and his mother’s pain. I went and hugged my kids after returning from our reporting trip to WV. The fourth story in our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social @pennlive.com series on Moshannon: www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Mom separated from teen son in ICE detainment: ‘I would trade places with him’
Adelia Mejia came to the United States in hopes of a better education for her children. Now, her son Rony is facing deportation in a Pa. detention facility.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson repeatedly shouted over Rony’s attorney and ultimately stormed out of the courtroom. “Yes, running away is a great idea. That’s very professional, your honor,” the lawyer said. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Mom separated from teen son in ICE detainment: ‘I would trade places with him’
Adelia Mejia came to the United States in hopes of a better education for her children. Now, her son Rony is facing deportation in a Pa. detention facility.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Dale’s done done it.
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Reposted by Josh Vaughn
(h)elle woods, j.d. @hellewoods.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
If you're mad at this (and you should be): Tomorrow at 1pm 120 Schermerhorn in BK Rally to demand accountability from the absolute ghouls in our courts.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Juan was held in ICE custody for roughly 3 months before finally being released. He did everything right but it didn’t matter. His incarceration cost him $10,000 and his faith in the American dream. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...
pennlive.com
Immigrant to Pa. followed the law, but then a lawyer’s error changed everything
He spent roughly three months in ICE custody at the Moshannon center. It cost him and his wife thousands of dollars and their trust in the U.S. justice system.
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Josh Vaughn @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
A huge thank you to @maddow.bsky.social for featuring our collaboration with Penn State University’s journalism department on her show. I’m incredibly proud of all the work these amazing student journalists put in to this series.
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Patrick Egan @pegan.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Really important work here, especially in light of ICE/fed gov't owning two warehouse spaces it still wants to convert to detention facilities for people living here without documentation.
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Shaheen Pasha @profpasha.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
This entire series was reported and written by our amazing journalism students @pennstateuniv.bsky.social. As their professors for this indepth reporting class, @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social and I are over the moon. Next story out on Wednesday!
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