Arkansas Advocate series on prison overcrowding wins first-place honors in regional contest

The Arkansas Advocate’s series on prison overcrowding won first place for in-depth reporting in the Arkansas Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ annual Diamond Awards over the weekend.

The Advocate’s reporters were recognized in several categories in the awards, which recognize the best journalism from Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Winners were announced at a ceremony in Little Rock on Saturday night.

Former Editor-in-Chief Sonny Albarado, Deputy Editor Antoinette Grajeda and reporters Ainsley Platt and Tess Vrbin won first place for their work on “Overcrowded,” a series that explored recidivism in Arkansas’ prison system.

Arkansas Advocate earns first-place honors at state Press Association awards

Platt, Grajeda and Albarado were finalists in the politics category for their coverage of the legal fight over the special election for the late state Sen. Gary Stubblefield’s seat. Vrbin was a finalist in the general news category for her coverage of Arkansas libraries.

Grajeda was a finalist in the education category and Albarado was a finalist in the commentary category.

Platt was a finalist for Emerging Journalist of the Year, which recognizes journalistic excellence by reporters who have worked fewer than five years in journalism.

There were 591 entries in this year’s Diamond Awards, and entries were judged by members of the Connecticut chapter of SPJ.

The Advocate, which launched in 2022, is a nonpartisan, independent newsroom covering Arkansas government and politics. It’s an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Advocate stories are available for free online and available at no cost for other news outlets to republish. The Advocate’s work is supported by grants and donations.