Journalist covering prisons, jails and more for The Marshall Project. Formerly WBEZ (Chicago NPR affiliate). Host of Motive podcast (Season 4). Writes short stories and essays. Tips: sheffernan@themarshallproject.org
Going on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight soon to discuss our investigation of fires at an Illinois prison. I’m a fan of the show and happy for the chance to share this information. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
How An Illinois Prison Drove Desperate Men to Set Themselves on FireDesigned to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.www.themarshallproject.orgThank you Fox 32 for highlighting the epedemic of Fires, including two deaths, at the Joliet Treatment Center. www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-ag... You can read the full story here: www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
Investigation finds alleged mistreatment at Illinois prison mental health facilityA joint investigation by The Marshall Project, WBEZ, and the Chicago Sun-Times details alleged mistreatment inside the Joliet Treatment Center, a facility created to provide mental health care for inc...www.fox32chicago.comJason Stephens died from a prison fire he set in prison two-years ago, today. It was one of 70 fires in the Joliet Treatment Center over 3 years, including 12 cases of self-immolation. Here is his story... THREAD www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
A Prison on FireDesigned to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.www.themarshallproject.orgOver the last three years there have been more than 70 fires at an Illinois prison, including 12 cases of self-immolation. One man needed a skin graft. Another lost a leg. Two have died. A new investigation below. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
A Prison on FireDesigned to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.www.themarshallproject.orgIn the first years after birth, the human brain develops at a remarkable pace, shaping a person’s physical & emotional health for the rest of their life. Under Trump, 500 babies & toddlers spent some of that pivotal time detained by ICE. (THREAD) www.themarshallproject.org/2026/06/09/b...
Trump Has Put 500 Babies and Toddlers In Immigration JailsYoung children in detention stopped eating, began hitting themselves and became ill, according to parents.www.themarshallproject.orgThis is a real shot in the dark, but if anyone has information on the specific people who made this website, I'm curious for future reporting and can be reached at: sheffernan@themarshallproject.org
The Marshall ProjectPulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit newsroom investigating the U.S. criminal justice system and immigration enforcement through data-driven reporting.themarshallproject.orgShannon HeffernanA website from DHS uses a "X Files" theme to discuss a government cover-up of an "alien invasion." But the so-called "aliens" they are talking about are human immigrants to the United States. The dehumanizing language on the page, includes calling people "it" and says "they do not belong here"
A court general order and new state law have not stopped ICE from increasingly staking out Chicago area courthouses for arrests since February. Sightings of federal agents near court continue this week as “processing” of detainees at Broadview has accelerated. unraveledpress.com/feds-conduct...
Feds “conducting surveillance” at domestic violence courthouse, internal documents showA court general order and new state law have not stopped ICE from increasingly staking out Chicago area courthouses for arrests since February. Sightings of federal agents near court continue this wee...unraveledpress.com