Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "torture" ...

  • Identity Evil

    "Identity Evil" is an in-depth look at a violent fake document cartel operating in states across the country. The cartel is the largest and most sophisticated fake id ring federal investigators have ever encountered. They were funneling millions of dollars from U.S. cities south of the border into Mexico. The cartel became synonymous with murder and torture as they sought to protect their turf from rival gangs and enforce discipline within their own organization. Using eyewitness accounts, federal wiretaps, and interviews with victim’s families, investigative reporter A.J. Lagoe and photojournalist Ben Arnold take viewers inside the cartel and document the violence that would prove to be their undoing.

    Tags: Fake ID; federal wiretaps; violence; fake document cartel

    By A.J. Lagoe, Reporter; Ben Arnold, Photojournalist

    WRIC-TV8

    2012

  • Broken Shield

    Decades ago, California created a special police force to patrol exclusively at its five state developmental centers – taxpayer-funded institutions where patients with severe autism and cerebral palsy have been beaten, tortured and raped by staff members. But California Watch found that this state force, the Office of Protective Services, does an abysmal job bringing perpetrators to justice. Reporter Ryan Gabrielson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, exposed the depths of the abuse inside these developmental centers while showing how sworn officers and detectives wait too long to start investigations, fail to collect evidence and ignore key witnesses – leading to an alarming inability to solve crimes inflicted upon some of society’s most vulnerable citizens. Dozens of women were sexually assaulted inside state centers, but police investigators didn’t order “rape kits” to collect evidence, a standard law enforcement tool. Police waited so long to investigate one sexual assault that the staff janitor accused of rape fled the country, leaving behind a pregnant patient incapable of caring for a child. The police force’s inaction also allowed abusive caregivers to continue molesting patients – even after the department had evidence that could have stopped future assaults. Many of the victims chronicled by California Watch are so disabled they cannot utter a word. Gabrielson gave them a resounding voice. Our Broken Shield series prompted far-reaching change, including a criminal investigation, staff retraining and new laws – all intended to bring greater safeguards and accountability.

    Tags: California; police; autism; cerebral palsy; abuse; children

    By Ryan Gabrielson; Agustin Armendariz; Carrie Ching; Monica Lam; Michael Montgomery; Joanna Lin; Emily Hartley; Nikki Frick; Christine Lee; Robert Salladay; Mark Katches

    California Watch

    2012

  • Wired for Repression

    Bloomberg's series "Wired for Repression" revealed the extent to which Western companies have sold surveillance systems to authoritarian countries, including Iran, Syria, Bahrain and Tunisia, which have used them to track, imprison, torture and kill. The newest newest artillery for reprssive regimes, the gear allows authorities to intercept their citizens' e-mails and text messages, monitor Internet activity and locate political targets through cell phone technology.

    Tags: torture; surveillance; imprisonment; censorship

    By Vernon Silver; Ben Elqin

    Bloomberg Markets (Princeton, N.J.)

    2011

  • Death In The Desert

    Exposing trafficking and enslavement of African refugees in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula -- a lawless place ruled by Bedouin tribes. Crimes involved include, but are not limited to, extortion, torture, human and organ trafficking, and murder.

    Tags: sinai; peninsula; human trafficking; africa; refugee; Bedouin; torture; extortion; organ trafficking

    By Frederik Pleitgen

    CNN (Atlanta)

    2011

  • Baumgartner

    At the start of 2011, the best known and probably most respected judge in Knoxville, Tenn., was Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner, founder of Knox County's successful Drug Court and the judge who recently had presided over trials involving the most shocking crime in local memory, the carjacking, torture and murder of a young couple named Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. The trials of four suspects led to a death sentence, two life sentences and one very long prison term. But soon after the new year began, Baumgartner took an abrupt leave of absence, ostensible for health reasons.

    Tags: judge; Knoxville; trials; criminal court

    By Jamie Satterfield

    Knoxville News Sentinel

    2011

  • Disposable Soldiers

    The article exposes a stunning crime: the U.S. Army tortured an American soldier. The reporters discover that this case was not an isolated incident.

    Tags: torture; Fort Hood; Camp Taji; army; soldier; Afghanistan; Iraq

    By Joshua Kors

    The Nation

    2010

  • Jailhouse Shock

    A rural Illinois jail faces allegations of Taser use from detainees who say they were tortured with them. The investigation found that at this jail, Taser use goes extremely unreported. Those that did report their Taser use admitted to using the Tasers when detainees were restrained by handcuffs or strapped into a chair.

    Tags: Taser; handcuffs; jails; prisons; Cook County Jail; Taser gun

    By Kelly Virella; Kimbriell Kelly; Natalie Moore; Julia McEvoy; Esther Kaplan

    Chicago Reporter

    2010

  • Unmasking Terrorism

    The ground-breaking coverage of three reporters gave readers an in-depth look inside U.S. torture cells overseas.

    Tags: torture; terrorism; CIA; Bush administration; Guantanamo Bay

    By Matt Apuzzo; Adam Goldman; Kathy Gannon

    Associated Press

    2010

  • California Prisons: Behavior Modification and Suppression of Due Process

    The author uncovers evidence of cruelty and near torture in California's prisons. The abuse and suppression of inmate rights that pervaded these prisons was initially reported by researchers, but was covered up by officials.

    Tags: prisons; torture; prison system

    By Charles Piller

    Sacramento Bee

    2010

  • Killing Fields: Long Road to Justice

    “An investigation of Khmer Rouge tribunal being held in Cambodia and allegations of corruption”. Further, the investigation began with the hunt for Ta Chan who was the chief interrogator and suspected of living in a remote Cambodian village. Also, torture was a daily experience for many of the prisoners being held and resulted in a number of deaths.

    Tags: S-21 prison; camp; trial; charges; jungle; death camp; court; prosecution; horrific; institutions; Vietnamese; crimes

    By Dan Rivers; Kocha Orlan; Mike McCarthy; Sheri England

    CNN (Atlanta)

    2009