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Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Matt McKinney covers criminal justice and law enforcement, including State Police and the Attorney General's office. He previously worked on the projects and education teams at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where he contributed to coverage that won a Pulitzer Prize in breaking news in 2019.

Latest by Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA


Why Gov. Tom Wolf’s big effort to grant coronavirus reprieves to Pa. inmates came up small

The Department of Corrections has defended its response, saying it was a cautious approach that included all relevant parties to represent the public interest.
By Joseph Darius Jaafari/PA Post and Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Pa. teachers’ pensions are invested in a NYC skyscraper linked to Jared Kushner, but they probably don’t know it

The investment faced challenges before COVID-19. Now, it’s even more fraught.
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Updated: 2020-04-10 16:12:00

Gov. Tom Wolf will temporarily release Pa. state inmates as legislative effort falls apart

The plan could affect up to 1,800 incarcerated persons, though Wolf’s office said the number will likely be lower due to “reentry challenges”
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Hundreds could be released from Pa. state prisons under draft plans to help prevent a coronavirus outbreak

The proposal under discussion would prioritize non-violent, low-level offenders who are deemed medically "vulnerable."
By Cynthia Fernandez/Spotlight PA and Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Inmate inside southeast Pa. prison tests positive for the coronavirus

Officials became aware of the case at SCI Phoenix on Saturday, the Department of Corrections said in a statement. The incarcerated person has been placed in isolation.
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania corrections officers, advocates worry a prison coronavirus outbreak is inevitable

As of early Friday evening, there were no reported cases of the coronavirus inside the state prison system, either among those incarcerated or corrections officers.
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania police cut services, plan for shortages as coronavirus spreads

“It's not like you can go out and arrest a bad guy and stop a problem. That's not going to stop this,” the police chief in Scranton said.
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

Pa. House lawmaker wants to end ‘honor system’ that allows agencies to hide contracts

Rep. Seth Grove is calling on the General Assembly to find ways to ensure state agencies follow the disclosure law.
By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA

The Pa. agency that looks for wasteful spending wasted $160,000 on guns and ammo it can’t use

The state inspector general’s office spent nearly $160,000 on pistols, ammunition and related equipment that its investigators are not legally allowed to carry. As a result, the weapons have collected dust in storage for nearly two years.

By Matt McKinney/Spotlight PA