Sign in

Beth Schwartzapfel

@journo-beth.bsky.social
6.3K followers 454 following 212 posts

Writer, reader, nerd. Reporter for The Marshall Project covering criminal (in)justice, esp LGBTQ+, parole, addiction, health. Host of VIOLATION. It's not on us to complete the work—but neither can we stop doing it.

PostsRepliesMedia
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I just got a call from Aundra Jiles, whom we featured in this article in 2022. Her call made my day. www.themarshallproject.org/2022/08/04/p...
100
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Wherever Cassandra Wilson and Dolly Parton are, I hope they're together, collaborating on a new album. Two iconic voices, serenading the angels.
010
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I got a call today from April Turner, whom I interviewed for this 2024 piece. She says she was viciously assaulted by 3 men at the West TN State Penitentiary in June. Officials have had HER in solitary confinement ever since. She fears for her mental health www.themarshallproject.org/2024/04/26/t...
2911
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
After 21 years, Grace Pinson goes home today. www.themarshallproject.org/2024/10/09/t...
themarshallproject.org
The Ballad of Grace Pinson
A trans woman’s legal battle reveals the failures of a landmark prison rape law.
02813
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The U.S. govt deported >21k people to countries the State Department deemed too dangerous to visit. The overwhelming majority of those deported had no criminal convictions. At least 600 were children. My latest for @themarshallproject.org. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/05/29/d...
themarshallproject.org
The U.S. Deported Them to Iran Just Before American Bombs Dropped
Trump’s State Department told Americans to avoid Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine, South Sudan and other nations where the U.S. simultaneously deported people.
025
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
The food on the trays doesn’t even look like food. In photos smuggled out of Georgia’s prisons, what passes for a meal is either grossly inadequate for a grown man, unrecognizable sludge, or both. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/05/16/g...
themarshallproject.org
Rats, Insects and Mold: How Bad Food Leaves Prisoners Hungry and Sick
Georgia spends about 60 cents per meal for prisoners. One man described it as ‘Being hungry all the time, and being fed slop.’
064
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Popehat @kenwhite.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
This is how the United States Department of Justice writes now.
3914185987
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I never see skunk cabbage and don’t think of Boris, my fathers dragon
030
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
I appeared on "Here and Now" on @wbur.org today to talk about our new investigation with @nbcnews.com into sexual misconduct at the federal women's prison in Bryan, TX. Listen to the interview— www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
wbur.org
New investigation dives into sexual misconduct allegations at federal women's prison
For years, inmates at a federal women's prison in Texas have accused staff members of sexual misconduct, but none appear to have been criminally charged.
163
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Robert Smith @bondhack.ft.com · 09/04/2026
Hall of fame FT correction
8867241243
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
"One person plus one typewriter constitutes a movement" —Pauli Murray www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/08/r...
thecity.nyc
Closing the Rikers Island 311 ‘Black Hole’
Proposed new law follows reporting by the THE CITY that found jail-related 311 calls are not publicly tracked or clearly resolved.
000
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Deb Golden @debgoldendc.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
An important story to read, and one that's far too common.
044
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Very proud to publish this @themarshallproject.org investigation today with Erik Ortiz and @nbcnews.com. Humbled and grateful to the women who bravely shared their stories with us. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/27/p...
themarshallproject.org
A Women’s Prison Conceals a Sinister Secret: Staff Sexual Misconduct, Accusers Say
Some employees at a Texas federal prison that holds high-profile women including Ghislaine Maxwell said they faced retaliation for reporting abuse.
087
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
NBC News @nbcnews.com · 27/03/2026
Eight women who were incarcerated at a federal prison in Texas tell The Marshall Project and NBC News that staff members groped them or pressured them into unwanted sex acts in deserted corners where there were no security cameras or witnesses.
nbcnews.to
A women's prison conceals a sinister secret: Staff sexual misconduct, accusers say
Some employees at a Texas federal prison that holds high-profile women including Ghislaine Maxwell said they faced retaliation for reporting abuse.
52923
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I appeared on @kjzz.org yesterday to talk about recent developments in the decade-long lawsuit against the Arizona prison system and the "plainly grossly inadequate" health care they provide. www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
kjzz.org
Here's what a new receiver overseeing Arizona prison health care could do, journalist says
The state Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry late last week announced it planned to appeal a judge’s ruling that appointed a receiver to oversee Arizona’s prison health care system.
072
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Jaw-dropping admission by DOJ to court. DOJ admits to having repeatedly made "material mistaken" representations to judge - ICE never had authority (under 2025 Guidance) to conduct arrests at immigration courthouses! DOJ admits court "relied on...prior misrepresentations." DOJ blames ICE (page 2)
30083503716
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
"I apologize for the delay." The...12 year delay.
010
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
“I don’t give a fuck what that judge says, I do what I want.” In a declaration in the ongoing case challenging the federal prison system's ban on gender-affirming care, Grace Pinson says that she's been targeted for speaking up. www.lawdork.com/p/trans-inma...
lawdork.com
Breaking: Trans inmate's lawyers claim "egregious retaliation" in violation of court order
Trans woman involved in a lawsuit challenging anti-trans policies says federal prison official told her on Feb. 22: “I don’t give a fuck what that judge says, I do what I want.”
1188
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
The Marshall Project @themarshallproject.org · 20/02/2026
The judge overseeing a federal lawsuit brought by prisoners in Arizona said Thursday she would appoint a receiver to take over the deeply dysfunctional healthcare system in the state prisons. This is a huge deal. It’s only been done a handful of times. www.kjzz.org/politics/202...
kjzz.org
Arizona prison health care takeover comes after 14-year lawsuit
In an 83-page order, Judge Roslyn Silver detailed complaints that go back 14 years about inadequate physical and mental health care at the 10 prison complexes across the state. That included a history...
12112
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
BREAKING www.themarshallproject.org/2026/02/19/t...
themarshallproject.org
Federal Prisons Bar Gender-Affirming Care for Trans People
‘People will die,’ an advocate warns, as standard treatments for gender dysphoria are replaced with therapy and antidepressants after Trump’s order.
073
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Democracy dies in darkness
020
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
This declaration from WaPo journalist Hannah Natanson describing what the FBI took is utterly devastating. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
4 paragraphs of a declaration. They describe that when the FBI took Natanson's devices, she was logged into Proton, Google, draft stories, and Slack.Another paragraph of the declaration, describing that she had Signal messages with 1,200 people on her phone.
421743662
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
"At some point it becomes unethical to continue to participate in that..Can we provide this group of humans the care they’re entitled to? The answer is no. One person cannot ethically do that.” My latest for @themarshallproject.org www.themarshallproject.org/2026/01/26/m...
themarshallproject.org
Amid ‘Catastrophic’ Shortage, Psychologists Flee Federal Prisons in Droves
With fewer and fewer employees to run the prisons, psychologists were repeatedly forced to act as guards.
011
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
It is continually shocking to me how utterly awful is customer service at Securus, the prison email system (aka the only way this captive audience can readily communicate with the outside world).
100
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
OTOH, these people were actually held accountable
000
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Keri Blakinger @keribla.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
In case you are wondering things are going great in the Federal Bureau of Prisons
9281125
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
THE REDACTIONS
030
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
11 yrs ago, @themarshallproject.org launched our brand-new website with part 1 of a @bykenarmstrong.bsky.social investigation & our first Life Inside piece, by John J. Lennon. Since then, we've published >2,600 pieces. And still, so much work to do. www.themarshallproject.org/2014/11/15/d...
themarshallproject.org
Death by Deadline, Part One
How bad lawyering and an unforgiving law cost condemned men their last appeal.
1114
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
OK Louisiana, you do you. lailluminator.com/briefs/orlea...
lailluminator.com
Orleans sheriff says she missed campaign report deadline because her attorney was incarcerated • Louisiana Illuminator
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson successfully argued Friday that she shouldn’t have to pay the full fine for missing a campaign reporting deadline because her attorney was incarcerated at the time.
000
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
A “modern-day slave ship” was tugged off towards LA today, sold as scrap. The Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center—a floating jail—"caged tens of thousands of people unable to afford bail—mostly Black and brown men—for months and sometimes years while awaiting trial.” gothamist.com/news/nyc-cas...
gothamist.com
NYC casts away floating jail, scorned by critics as 'modern-day slave ship'
For three decades, the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center was moored to the banks of Hunts Point, serving as an overflow facility for Rikers Island.
021
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Hotels that don’t have carpet are making good choices
020
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Joey Scott @joeyneverjoe.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
The city of LA and the LAPD are asking the court to lift the injunction that prevents the dept from assaulting and arresting journalists ahead of tomorrow’s No Kings protests due to officer and public safety risks.
PARTE APPLICATION
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, in accordance with Local Rule 7-19 and this
Court's Civil Standing Order Section XIII, Defendants City of Los Angeles and Chief Jim McDonnell ("City" or "Defendants"), by and through their counsel of record, respectfully apply to this Court on an ex parte basis for an order staying the Preliminary Injunction entered on September 10, 2025 (ECF No. 83) pending appeal. This Application is based on Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 62 and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 8(a)(1)(A), the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities, the Declarations of Lt. Joseph Dunster, the Declaration of Richard Egger, other supporting declarations and exhibits, the record, and any further evidence or argument the Court may permit.
Good Cause and Urgency
Good cause and urgency exist for the relief requested. The City has filed a
Notice of Appeal of the Preliminary Injunction. In addition, the City faces imminent enforcement obligations under the Court's September 10, 2025, Preliminary Injunction Order ("Order") because there is an upcoming "No Kings" protest scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, which requires it to deploy officers subject to the constraints of the Order. The Order enjoins the Los Angeles Police Department ("LAPD") from a broad range of actions relating to its handling of "journalists" during protests, and requires LAPD to take a number of affirmative actions, described in the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities below. Although the Court described the injunction as "mirror[ing] the Defendants' own policies" (Order at p. 27), it imposes ambiguous mandates that create serious operational uncertainty and a substantial risk of contempt for good-faith conduct to preserve public safety. Given the immediate and concrete risk to officer and public safety posed by these uncertainties-and the fact that the City has
612656
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
Juliette Kayyem @juliettekayyem.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
"Its a good time to be an American born criminal." 28,000 federal law enforcement agents have been detailed to ICE for immigration efforts (including almost 1/2 of DEA agents and 1/3 of ATF agents). I spoke to @themarshallproject.org @journo-beth.bsky.social about the impact. t.co/xZieyefxc8
t.co
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/10/04/federal-government-trump-ice-crime
56426
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
OK I often get weird press releases that are entirely unrelated to the journalism I do but this...is an entirely new level of WTAF.
000
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Annals of "who wrote this press release and why did they send it to me": what is a "cozy mystery heroine"?
010
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
This is the second time a federal prison warden has denied my request to interview an incarcerated person because “the interview would probably cause serious unrest or disturb the good order of the institution.” How exactly a PHONE INTERVIEW would do this is bewildering to me.
020
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
So proud of my colleague @sho-walter.bsky.social on the publication today of her book, REHAB: AN AMERICAN SCANDAL, which the NY Times called "a remarkable journalistic feat." www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
kqed.org
Shoshana Walter’s ‘Rehab’ Finds Corruption, Profiteering and Dismal Rates of Recovery In America’s Drug Treatment System | KQED
We talk about the dark side of the rehab industry, the ways patients are exploited for profit and who actually has a chance at recovery in America.
141
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
mattie lubchansky @mattielubchansky.com · 07/08/2025
a thing i simply cannot get over, as The Media collapses for i think the 5th time in my adult life, is what the fuck business the people who own these publications think they are in. shouldn’t the point be to just make enough money making the articles to make more articles
112963342
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
"We identified 100s of people who died in custody but weren’t listed..entire states that failed to report almost any deaths..The overwhelming majority of the records did not meet the Justice Department’s own minimum standards for accuracy and completeness." www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/07/d...
themarshallproject.org
Why Doesn’t the U.S. Government Know How Many People Die in Custody?
Under the Death in Custody Reporting Act, the government is supposed to track how many people die in law enforcement custody — but the data is a mess.
031
Reposted by Beth Schwartzapfel
D Dangaran (they/them) @ddangaran.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
So proud to be friends with Dee Farmer and to see her life story documented so thoughtfully by @journo-beth.bsky.social !
062
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Every lawyer (esp every jailhouse lawyer) knows Farmer v. Brennan, the case that set the standard by which officials can be held liable when they put prisoners in danger. Few know the woman who filed the case by hand from her prison cell. Meet Dee Farmer. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/07/17/f...
themarshallproject.org
In Prison, She Changed Constitutional Law. Meet the Trans Woman Behind the Case.
Farmer v. Brennan is one of the most cited Supreme Court cases of all time. Few people know just how revolutionary Dee Farmer was.
050
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
🔥 www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/26/s...
020
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
The wall of imprisoned journalists at the offices of @pressfreedom.bsky.social
2193
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
bsky.app/profile/kate...
000
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Are you someone you love incarcerated (or formerly incarcerated) in BOP and feel some kind of way about this announcement? Are you a BOP employee with feelings about Josh Smith’s appointment? Reach out! Call/text 212-803-5273 or signal beth.93.
055
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
153
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/b...
030
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
So sad to hear of the passing of Tom Robbins, a fierce investigative watchdog and a gracious, generous mentor to so many. He wrote and reported one of @themarshallproject.org's first major investigations, which led to system-wide changes at Attica prison. www.themarshallproject.org/staff/tom-ro...
themarshallproject.org
Tom Robbins | The Marshall Project
Stories by Tom Robbins, Contributing Writer at The Marshall Project.
041
Beth Schwartzapfel @journo-beth.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
This is Phaedra McLaughlin. In response to a Trump executive order, the Bureau of Prisons housed her in a men's prison. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/02/21/t...
A Black woman in a white pantsuit with sparkly pointy pumps, oversized hoop earrings, a diamond choker, and dark lipstick sits on a staircase with her legs crossed. Her fingers, with very long manicured nails, are interlaced on her knee.
1176