Whitney Bryen/InvestigateWest

InvestigateWest's news and investigations editor Wilson Criscione and vulnerable populations and injustice reporter Whitney Bryen investigated the allegations of abuse in Idaho's prisons over the course of a year. Criscione spoke with SPR about what they found.

Inspired by Andrea Weiskircher, scores of women revealed sexual abuse by Idaho prison staff. Most of their cases were buried.

Even though federal standards say all inappropriate touching by prison workers and even suggestive comments or voyeurism are illegal, Idaho’s law protects inmates from abuse only when staff touch the victim’s genitals or they’re made to touch the genitals of staff.

Audio recordings and records obtained by InvestigateWest reveal sloppy investigations, omitted evidence and questions about whether cases were properly pursued

A yearlong investigation finds rampant sexual abuse by guards, systemic cover-ups, and punishment for victims

InvestigateWest reporting exposes sexual abuse by guards, retaliation against victims and a system that fails to track the scope of the problem

As Idaho increases its oversight of youth treatment homes, new ombudsman Trevor Sparrow said the state still isn’t penalizing facilities where kids could be at risk.

State regulatory officials, elected leaders learned of tragedy from InvestigateWest report