The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School has named the investigation into Rankin County sheriff’s deputies a finalist for the 2026 Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.
The project, titled “Abuse of Power: Beyond the Goon Squad,” was reported and written by Mukta Joshi, Jerry Mitchell, Brian Howey, Nate Rosenfeld, Steph Quinn and Sarah Cohen, in collaboration with The New York Times’ Local Investigative Reporting desk. It uncovered allegations of misconduct by deputies in Rankin County, Mississippi, dating back more than a decade.
The reporting revealed that deputies, known as the “Goon Squad,” tortured suspected drug users through beatings, burns, and waterboarding, leading to a Justice Department investigation and new state laws on police oversight. The team continued their work, uncovering further abuses in 2025, including allegations of inmate labor for personal profit, a possible jailhouse murder deemed an accident, and videos showing guards shocking an intellectually disabled man with an electric vest. They also documented widespread Taser abuse by police across Mississippi.
The investigations prompted legislative proposals for statewide Taser oversight laws, multiple investigations by state authorities, and two FBI probes. The reporting also contributed to a reopened murder inquiry and spurred political activity, with several candidates preparing to challenge the sheriff in 2027.
Other finalists for the Goldsmith Prize include teams from The New York Times, Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, ProPublica, and The Washington Post. The award, established in 1993 and funded by the Greenfield Foundation, recognizes investigative journalism that influences public policy or politics in the United States. Finalists receive $10,000, and the winner, announced at a ceremony on April 9, will earn $25,000. All prize money goes directly to the reporting team.
According to Shorenstein Center Director Nancy Gibbs, the finalists demonstrate the ongoing power of investigative journalism to hold governments accountable, prompt investigations, and inspire legislative change. The awards ceremony will be held at Harvard’s Kennedy School and streamed online at GoldsmithAwards.org and ShorensteinCenter.org.
