Liz McDonough

Off Limits

Hard Cell

As inmates attempt to defy guards and air grievances, a wave of brutal "forced cell entries" rocks Colorado's supermax prison.

Dismal House

Ex-con Bob Sylvester wanted to help parolees go straight. But angry former supporters say that what happened at his shelter was pretty twisted.

The Killing Floor

In Colorado's highest-security prison, two inmates beat Michael Garcia to death while a crowd of corrections officers watched. Why didn't anyone stop it?

Old-Age Wisdom

The state told Virginia Fraser to shut up, but she won't give up on the elderly.

Ready, Willing and Disabled

The state's treatment of the developmentally disabled isn't broken. So why does Colorado want to fix it?

Follow That Story

Jokin' Joe Has Left and Gone Away

What We Have Here...Is a Failure to Rehabilitate

The youthful offender system was supposed to save gang kids. Now it’s about snitching, fronting—and growing numbers of teens headed for adult prison.

McPrison

How a private prison brought jobs-and violence, corruption and scandal-to Burlington.

Side Effects

Pharmacist Bob Gusich has been a real pill for the state prison system.

White Man's Burden

A Sterling man is on a lonely crusade to atone for the sins of his race.

Horse Sense

One group's unbridled plan would help mustangs, prisoners and disabled kids help each other.

Reach Out and Gouge Someone

How inmate phone services lock up profits.

Off Limits

How inmate phone services lock up profits.

Scenes From an Execution

How inmate phone services lock up profits.

Off Limits

How inmate phone services lock up profits.

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Pen

Prison censors' motto: What you don't know can't hurt us.

Caught Off Guard

Sex harassment in the state prison system is no joke. So why is this man laughing?

THE WOMEN OF SUPERMAX

COLORADO'S HIGHEST-SECURITY PRISON ISN'T JUST FOR TOUGH GUYS.

A REAL BACK-SLAPPER

A FAMILIAR INMATE LANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF YET ANOTHER PRISON SPAT.

HOMEWARD BOUND

CRIME MAY NOT PAY, BUT ELECTRONIC HOME DETENTION SURE DOES.

HUNTING SEASON

A NEW MAGAZINE TOUTS REWARDS FOR NABBING CRIMINALS.

UNGUARDED COMMENTS

PRISON GUARDS' COMPLAINTS ABOUT HARASSMENT ARE LEAKED TO THE HARASSERS.

Child welfare ombudsman: Panel looking to prevent deaths like Chandler Grafner's

Chandler Grafner.​Today, a fifteen-member panel is meeting for the first time to hammer out the details of Colorado's forthcoming child welfare ombudsman office. The office will provide parents, caregivers, neighbors and others with a place to be heard if they have concerns about a child's wel ... More >>

Death Knell: Colorado wants reforms for its child-welfare system, but the biggest change is off the table

Chandler Grafner.​Today, a fifteen-member panel is meeting for the first time to hammer out the details of Colorado's forthcoming child welfare ombudsman office. The office will provide parents, caregivers, neighbors and others with a place to be heard if they have concerns about a child's wel ... More >>

Crying shame: Kristen Stillman relinquishes her four children in court

Chandler Grafner.​Today, a fifteen-member panel is meeting for the first time to hammer out the details of Colorado's forthcoming child welfare ombudsman office. The office will provide parents, caregivers, neighbors and others with a place to be heard if they have concerns about a child's wel ... More >>

Becky Miller Updike chosen to serve in new child protection ombudsman position

​ Colorado has chosen its first child protection ombudsman: Becky Miller Updike, whose résumé includes sixteen years of child advocacy, most recently at the Tennyson Center for Children in Denver. As ombudsman, she will review complaints about the state's child welfare system -- a job that w ... More >>

Stepahnie Rochester baby-smothering case on hold because psych evaluation hasn't happened

Stephanie Rochester.​In June 2010, Stephanie Rochester was charged with smothering her infant son, Ryan, allegedly because she feared he might be autistic. More than a year later, the case remains stuck in limbo for a startling reason -- she still hasn't been formally evaluated by a state psy ... More >>

Colorado day-care center proposal: Dolls must represent at least three different races

Flickr​Here's an item with the potential for firing up enemies of political correctness: New rules proposed by the Colorado Department of Human Services include a requirement that all day-care centers in the state make available dolls representing three different races.