by Amy Whipple At the January Jail Oversight Board meeting, Marion Damick stands behind a podium—her shoulders barely clearing its top—and pulls the microphone way down. “Here I am,” she says. She motions to the…
‘Calls from Home,’ film about family separation and…
by Jody DiPerna On March 11, City of Asylum will show the film 'Calls from Home,' followed by a conversation with film director Sylvia Ryerson moderated by the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. The film…
Manner of death ruled as ‘natural’ for two…
by Brittany Hailer Two men who died in the Allegheny County Jail earlier this year, died of natural causes related to heart disease, according to the most recent release from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.…
Jail officials across Pa. sound alarm as mental…
A statewide survey of county jails by Spotlight PA and the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism revealed many facilities openly admit they are not equipped for the growing mental health crisis by Brittany Hailer of…
‘A significant history of fraud and deception’: Allegheny…
by Brittany Hailer UPDATE, October 5, 2022: After learning of PINJ’s investigation and subsequent story, Dan Laurent, vice president of corporate communications of Allegheny Health Network, informed the newsroom that Wilson Bernales has been suspended…
Combined drug overdose cited as cause of death…
By Brittany Hailer Victor Joseph Zilinek, 39, an incarcerated person at the Allegheny County Jail, suffered a drug overdose resulting in his July 13 death, according to a press release from the Allegheny County Medical…
Hours before he died, the Allegheny County Jail…
by Brittany Hailer Anthony Talotta, 57, died Wednesday at UPMC Mercy Hospital after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Allegheny County Jail. Talotta, diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability, was rushed from…
Allegheny County announces contract for ‘historical review of…
By Brittany Hailer Ronald James Andrus, 78, died in the Allegheny County Jail Sunday. Andrus was being held on a probation violation at the facility since mid-July, according to an email Warden Orlando Harper sent…
Citations, fines, and terminated contracts: an inside look…
The jail has been cited by the Allegheny County Health Department 162 times since 2014. By Jake Dabkowski Since 2014, The Allegheny County Jail’s residential kitchen has received 162 health code violations from the Allegheny…