The Marshall Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to reporting on the U.S. criminal justice system through investigative journalism, data analysis, and firsthand narratives. Founded in 2014, the organization was created to address a major gap in media coverage by focusing not just on crime itself, but on the systems, policies, and institutions that shape policing, courts, and incarceration.
Its core mission is to “create and sustain a sense of national urgency” around criminal justice issues by exposing systemic failures, highlighting inequities, and examining potential reforms. The Marshall Project produces deeply reported investigations, explanatory journalism, and personal stories from people directly impacted by the system, including those who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated.
The organization collaborates with major news outlets and local partners to expand the reach and impact of its reporting, and its work has received significant recognition, including Pulitzer Prizes for investigative and national reporting. In addition to traditional journalism, it develops tools, datasets, and reporting guides to support other journalists and researchers covering criminal justice topics.
The Marshall Project also prioritizes accessibility and inclusion by producing content specifically for incarcerated audiences, distributing print publications and digital media inside correctional facilities. This approach reflects its broader goal of not only informing the public but also amplifying the voices of those most affected by the system.
As a nonprofit newsroom, it operates independently of corporate ownership and is funded through donations and grants, allowing it to focus on public interest reporting rather than commercial incentives. Its work is widely regarded as a leading example of accountability journalism in the criminal justice space.