#marshallproject

Prisoner COVID cases grew 9% last week @MarshallProj @AP @ultracasual @github @datadotworld https://t.co/ttdFX2ckOI

I spent some time with Kimberly Heraldez and her family for a piece by the @nytimes and @marshallproj. It broke my heart to hear her talk about her father. Please take a moment to read this story about compassionate release. More information from the Times' Instagram post below: • • • This is Kevin Zeich. He had 3 and a half years to go on his prison sentence, but his doctors told him he had less than half that long to live. Nearly blind, battling cancer and virtually unable to eat, he requested “compassionate release,” a special provision for inmates who are very sick or old. His warden approved the request, but officials at the federal Bureau of Prisons turned him down, saying his “life expectancy is currently indeterminate.” Congress created compassionate release as a way to free certain inmates, such as the terminally ill, when it becomes “inequitable” to keep them in prison any longer. Supporters view the program as a humanitarian measure and a sensible way to reduce health care costs for ailing, elderly inmates who pose little risk to public safety. But despite urging from lawmakers of both parties, numerous advocacy groups and even the Bureau of Prisons’ own watchdog, prison officials use it only sparingly. Kevin, who was serving 27 years for dealing methamphetamine, requested compassionate release 3 times, but was repeatedly told he was not sick enough. On his 4th try, his daughter, Kimberly, finally received a phone call saying her father would soon be on a plane, headed to her home in California. Early the next morning, she was awakened by another call. Her father had died. Swipe left to see Kevin's only belongings and his ashes at Kimberly’s home and the last letter he wrote his daughter.

The dance company does it again. Beautiful, powerful and memorable.

Love that you get a mini stats lesson from this piece...