With support from the Fund, the Racine County Eye (a local news outlet in Wisconsin) is investigating the case of a man who died in the county jail – and looking more broadly at conditions in the jail and rising costs to operate it. In 2021, Malcolm James died while experiencing a mental health crisis inside the Racine County Jail. According to a lawsuit filed by his mother, officers used excessive force, and the medical examiner determined he died from asphyxiation. While the jail has revised policies around Tasers and restraint chairs, the lawsuit and the reporting highlight ongoing questions.
Grantee examines man’s death in jail and investigates broader conditions
