The Work Of Closing A Notorious Jail

Five years after Michael Brown’s death at the hands of a police officer galvanized criminal justice reform activists in St. Louis, they mounted a serious effort to shut down the notorious Workhouse jail.

Directors' Choice2020 Third Coast / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition

2024 / Carolina Hidalgo / Jen Chien / Juleyka Lantigua-Williams / Luis M. Gil / Sarah McClure / 70 Million, USA

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Five years after Michael Brown’s death at the hands of a police officer galvanized criminal justice reform activists in St. Louis, they mounted a serious effort to shut down the notorious Workhouse jail.

In 2020, the city voted to close the facility. In this episode of 70 Million, Carolina Hidalgo captures the essence of the successful campaign.

The Work Of Closing A Notorious Jail was reported by Carolina Hidalgo for 70 Million and edited by Jen Chien, with sound design by Luis M. Gil, and fact checking from Sarah McClure.

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Carolina Hidalgo

Carolina Hidalgo (@CarolinaHidalgo) is a producer for Radio Rookies, WNYC’s award-winning youth radio program, where she works with young people as they report personal stories about their lives and communities.

Jen Chien

Jen Chien (@j_chien) is a senior radio editor for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX.

Juleyka Lantigua-Williams

Juleyka Lantigua-Williams (@JuleykaLantigua) is the Founder and Creative Executive Officer of Lantigua-Williams & Co, a digital media studio whose mission is to support and amplify the work of creators from the margins in digital audio and film.

Luis M. Gil

Luis M. Gil is an educator, producer and composer based in Brooklyn. Originally from Venezuela, Luis has been using sound to tell stories on stage, off stage and online for over 15 years.

Sarah McClure

Sarah McClure (@sarahymcclure) is an investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Los Angeles, with experience in national and international coverage.

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