Policing the Police: The Copwatch Movement
Published in Documentary Blog
The killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, MO in 2014, galvanized a renewed public interest in the concept of citizen policing, but for David Whitt, Michael Brown’s neighbor at the time, it was the moment he decided his community needed a full-time force of people policing the police.
The Ex Neo-Nazi Transgender Woman
Published in Documentary Blog
For years, Dajana Pospiš was a member of the National Front, a far-right, anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ movement that waged war on Serbia's queer community. But during a stint in prison for racial and religious discrimination, Pospiš came to accept what no one saw coming: despite being assigned male at birth, she was a woman—and she desperately wanted to transition.
Dancing through Gunshots in Brazil's Favelas
Published in Documentary Blog
Ballet and Bullets: Dancing Out of the Favela” was produced with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
“Na Ponta dos Pes” (On Tiptoes) is a ballet project in the Alemão favela complex in Rio de Janeiro, created by Tuany Nascimento – a 23-year-old dancer who represented Brazil at international events during a flourishing career that was abruptly cut short by a lack of resources.
Zero Compensation for 16 Years Wrongfully Incarcerated | Innocence Ignored
Published in Documentary Blog
Those who are exonerated aren't always compensated. This episode takes a look how compensation laws vary from state to state, and how too often exonerees return to their lives after incarceration completely penniless.
After 3 Decades, Exonerated After False Rape Accusation | Innocence Ignored
Published in Documentary Blog
Reintegration back into society after spending, at times, up to half on your life in prison is one of the biggest hurdles for exonerees. We document Gregory Counts' experience reintegrating after being falsely accused of gang rape and serving 26 years in prison.
Forensic Science Put Me on Death Row for My Teeth | Innocence Ignored
Published in Documentary Blog
Most people are introduced to forensic science through TV and film, and because of this we have come to see forensic techniques such as ballistics, footprint analysis, and bite mark identification as foolproof methods for solving crimes.
The Anarchist Commune in the Rainforest: Poole’s Land
Published in Documentary Blog
Manisha Krishnan travels to Poole's Land, an anarchist commune on the western edge of Canada to figure out what exactly is drawing young people to live on the periphery of society.
An Executioner Explains What It's Like to Legally Kill People
Published in Documentary Blog
There are 56 countries which still have the death penalty, including Egypt, where executions are carried out by hanging. We ask a retired Egyptian executioner what made him pursue this morbid career and what the job entails.