Three women who’ve known Christa Pike talked to WPLN News about her impact and influence that extends beyond the walls of Riverbend Maximum Security Prison. Press play to listen.
After failed execution, health workers say Tennessee’s rules flout medical ethics
As another death row inmate’s execution arrives, doctors and nurses in Tennessee say they want medical professionals removed from the execution process.
Tennessee unable to carry out the execution by lethal injection of Christa Gail Pike, witnesses say
Tennessee officials were unable to carry out the execution of Christa Gail Pike for a 1995 murder on Wednesday, media witnesses said, after the lethal injection was halted for hours as courts considered a last-minute appeal.
Across the country, youth prisons are closing. Tennessee is building more.
State officials say they need more high-security facilities for kids who commit crimes. Experts say this approach flies in the face of crime data and research that shows youth prisons are not rehabilitative.
How an unlikely duo is helping those in jail find sobriety in Dickson County
Nearly 200 people have moved out of Dickson County’s jail with a plan in hand for addiction treatment or sober living. That’s part of the track record of Freeman Recovery Center, which began working on addiction recovery inside Dickson’s jail just over a year ago.
Report finds 14 ‘forgotten children’ buried at former youth corrections facility in Tennessee
Georgetown University’s Forgotten Children Initiative has released a map documenting more than 1,000 deaths at 40 youth corrections facilities across the country.
Christa Pike’s spiritual advisor on Buddhism, execution and the responsibility to respond
The upcoming execution of Christa Pike is getting more than the usual attention: she’s the first woman in more than 180 years to face the death penalty in Tennessee and she’s a practicing Buddhist, a focal point in her legal battles and how she will be put to death.
Tennessee lawmakers demand answers on safety in state youth prisons
Tennessee lawmakers cited a recent WPLN and ProPublica investigation that found that juvenile justice facilities run by businessman Jason Crews repeatedly failed to report abuse and other serious incidents to the state as required.
Nashville’s Aldi devotees ‘despair’ after truck plows through grocery
Nashville police have charged a 34-year-old truck driver with felony vandalism and say he drove into the East Nashville store on purpose. For Aldi devotees, it’s a dark day.
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