The Marshall Project and NPR investigated how the newest federal prison — the penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois — has quickly become one of the deadliest. The story is the latest in our years-long coverage of the dangers of “double-celled solitary confinement” — putting two people on lockdown in a small cell — as well as the use of force in federal prisons.

Here are five takeaways from our investigation:

  1. Officials moved a notorious double-celled prison program to a new facility. The problems followed.
  2. Restraints are supposed to be a last resort. At this prison, men say they’re used frequently — often as punishment.
  3. This level of violence is preventable.
  4. Federal prisons across the country are under fire right now for mistreatment.
  5. Prison abuse and violence has widespread ripple effects.

Read the full article about deadly federal prisons by Christie Thompson at The Marshall Project.