ABA's Silver Gavel winners announced; topics covered include Gitmo, sexual assault in military
The ABA has announced this year’s winners of the Silver Gavel Awards, which recognize outstanding work in media and the arts that fosters understanding of law and the legal system.
Some of the topics covered in the winning entries are the prison system’s treatment of mentally ill inmates, how the military deals with sexual assault, and the prosecution of terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay.
The winners were chosen from among 19 finalists. The winners and honorable-mention entries are:
BOOKS
Winner
The Terror Courts: Rough Justice at Guantanamo Bay by Jess Bravin; Yale University Press. The book follows the prosecution team at Guantanamo Bay.
Honorable Mention
A Wild Justice: The Death and Resurrection of Capital Punishment in America by Evan J. Mandery; W.W. Norton & Company Inc.
COMMENTARY
Winner
“An American Gulag” in the Atlantic by Andrew Cohen. The commentary is about the treatment of mentally ill prisoners.
DOCUMENTARIES
Winner
Gideon’s Army by Trilogy Films. The documentary is about three young public defenders.
NEWSPAPERS
Winner
“Twice Betrayed” in the San Antonio Express-News by Karisa King and Sig Christenson. The series is about sexual assault in the military.
Honorable Mention
“Reinvestigating Rape: Old Evidence, New Answers” in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Rachel Dissell and Leila Atassi.
RADIO
Winner
“Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl” by Radiolab. The program is about a custody case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
TELEVISION
Winner
The Invisible War by Chain Camera Pictures. The documentary is about rape in the military.
Honorable Mention
Constitution USA with Peter Sagal by Twin Cities Public Television.
