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Photo of hands clasped, reaching through metal prison bars. This photo was used for the cover of the USP Thomson report.
Our July 2023 report documents an 18-month investigation that revealed a culture of abuse of prisoners in the Special Management Unit at the federal penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois.

With Latham & Watkins, Uptown People’s Law Center, and Levy Firestone Muse LLP, we interviewed over 120 people who reported rampant racism and unconscionable physical abuse including the use of four-point restraints for as long as 96 hours straight leaving scars known as a "Thomson Tattoo." And, in response to our report, additional victims of the abuse at USP Thomson continue to contact us.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has failed to hold anyone accountable for these actions despite shuttering the prison's Special Management Unit in February 2023. Senator Durbin has announced an oversight hearing this fall regarding the serious misconduct at Thomson.

Read the full report here.
Headshot of Erica J. Kraus

Disability Pride Month Spotlight


Erica J. Kraus, Sheppard Mullin

In honor of Disability Pride Month, we recognize Erica J. Kraus for her work on behalf of the DC disability community.

Together in 2022, we sued the District of Columbia, forcing the City to provide accessible at-home COVID tests for people who are blind. Read her spotlight here!

Watch the video below featuring Rev. Raysor to learn about this case and our Outstanding Achievement Awardees, including Sheppard Mullin.👇

Hear Our Clients' Stories from Branton 2023
Making COVID Tests Accessible for People with Disabilities
Rev. Raymond M. Raysor
Desegregating the Daughters for the American Revolution
Maurice A. Barboza
Photo of a smiling woman wearing a hijab and an apron working at a street vendor cart and serving food.
Challenging DC Law That Harms Workers in Debt

DC law disqualifies workers with unpaid debt from occupational and small business licenses. On June 21, 2023, we sued on behalf of DC workers, including street vendors, immigrant workers, a plumber, and a single mother, with Tzedek DC and Weil Gotshal.

Read more about the case.

SCOTUS Update on Higher Education

In June 2023, the Supreme Court broke the promise of the 1954 Brown decision and DISCARDED over 50 years of precedent and progress to ensure equal educational opportunity for all and to redress centuries of inequities in higher education.

Racial equity and diversity in higher education are critical to achieving a thriving multiracial democracy. Equal and fair access to educational institutions for students of color benefits all students.

We will keep fighting for diverse inclusive colleges and for educational opportunity for all.
Read our full statement here.
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  • Development Associate
 

Reach Out to Us
Kaitlin Banner  ✉  Disability Rights / Education Justice
Catherine Cone  ✉  Housing Justice
Jacqueline Kutnik-Bauder  ✉  Prisoners' Rights / Police Abuse
Joanna Wasik  ✉  Workers' Rights
Joanne Lin ✉  All Other Matters
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