State Abuse
Despite reforms, abuse in state institutions remains high.
Since 1954

Dave Mann has been with the Observer since 2003. Before that, he worked as a reporter in Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. He was born and raised in Philadelphia. He thinks border collies are the world’s greatest dogs, and believes in the nourishing powers of pickup basketball.
Despite reforms, abuse in state institutions remains high.
In his new memoir, attorney David Dow offers a glimpse inside Texas’ death penalty machine.