“Dying on the Inside: Women Lifers at Muncy Prison,” an investigative podcast from Temple University’s Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting, has won three Signal Awards for its examination of women aging behind bars.

The series earned first place for Best Podcast in Public Service and Social Impact, second place for Best Writing for Yvonne Latty and third place for Best Host for Cherri Gregg. 

For Latty, director of the Logan Center and a professor of journalism at Klein College of Media and Communication, the recognition brings attention to women whose experiences often go unheard.

“The Signal Awards we won amplify their stories, and that means so much,” Latty said.

Housed in Klein, the Logan Center produced the five-part series in partnership with Create Genius Media, with presentation by WHYY. Through the stories of six women serving life sentences at Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution Muncy, the podcast examines aging, illness and the prospect of dying in prison.

Latty wrote and co-executive produced the series. Gregg, KLN ’12, served as host and co-executive producer.

“I hope this recognition shines more light on the women of Muncy and on all women serving life or long sentences across the country,” Gregg said. “Women in the carceral system are largely ignored and they deserve attention; I pray ‘Dying on the Inside’ and the honors that come help with that effort.”

Centering the women’s voices required the production team to navigate significant barriers to reporting. Latty said phone calls were limited to 15 minutes, with an automated voice interrupting every few minutes. Restrictions also prevented the team from recording inside SCI Muncy or recording Zoom calls.

Those conditions made conversations about traumatic experiences particularly difficult. Building trust was essential, Latty said.

“It was extremely challenging, but a puzzle I had to figure out because it’s their story to tell,” she said.

The production also brought together Klein alumni and students. Colin Evans, KLN ’21, served as data editor, and Natalie Reitz, KLN ’24, served as associate producer. Production assistants included Leila Oyeku, Caroline Keane and Caelan O'Neill.

Latty hopes the recognition shows students the impact investigative journalism can have on people whose experiences receive little public attention.

“Journalism matters. It can give voice to people who, like these women, are forgotten,” Latty said. “I know all the students who worked on this project have been moved by it, and I am so proud of them.”

Listen to the series and explore the Logan Center’s related reporting at WHYY's "Dying on the Inside" page.