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Whitney Bryen on Muck Rack

Whitney Bryen

Verified
(She/Her)
Boise, Idaho
As seen in: InvestigateWest, The Independent (UK), The Washington Post, Yahoo Canada, Yahoo News, PBS Frontline, Associated Press, SFGate, The Toronto Star, Chron, Flipboard and
Covers:  Injustice and vulnerable populations in the Pacific Northwest, including criminal justice, addiction, homelessness, children's mental health and poverty.
Injustice and Vulnerable Populations reporter for @investigatewest. Holding power to account and lifting marginalized voices. Send tips to whitney@invw.org.

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Whitney Bryen’s Biography

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Whitney Bryen is an award-winning investigative journalist who produces in-depth reporting at the intersection of criminal justice and mental health. She is experienced in collaborating with teams on data-driven work that leads to policy change. She is skilled in public records and building trust with sources, from the Pacific Northwest to Oklahoma, Colorado and beyond.

Whitney's work has been featured at InvestigateWest.org and Oklahomawatch.org as well as, in The Idaho Statesman, The Oklahoma…

Whitney Bryen’s Journalist Portfolio

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More than one-third of Idaho jails failed their inspections. Find out if your local jail is one o...

More than one-third of Idaho jails failed their inspections. Find out if your local jail is one o...

Search InvestigateWest's database of jail inspections for details on the conditions inside

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Without state protections, Idaho jail detainees face dangerous conditions

Without state protections, Idaho jail detainees face dangerous conditions

States in the Northwest lack laws ensuring the health and safety of people locked in county jails

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Idaho jails withheld details about dozens of detainee deaths

Idaho jails withheld details about dozens of detainee deaths

Idaho doesn't investigate jail deaths or require counties to report them - leaving jail officials to decide w…

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Idaho ramped up investments in round-the-clock youth psychiatric care. But concerns over safety, ...

Idaho ramped up investments in round-the-clock youth psychiatric care. But concerns over safety, ...

Parents of children who were turned away from Idaho Youth Ranch criticize its 'unrealistic' admissions standa…

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Following InvestigateWest report, Idaho approves funding for teen's long-awaited care - but now t...

Following InvestigateWest report, Idaho approves funding for teen's long-awaited care - but now t...

Idaho lacks options for teens requiring highest level of psychiatric treatment

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Experts say a teen needs psychiatric residential care. Idaho still won't pay for it.

Experts say a teen needs psychiatric residential care. Idaho still won't pay for it.

Idaho funded less than one-third of requests for youths to receive the highest level psychiatric care since 2…

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Articles

Overflowing Idaho prisons are sending women with good behavior to 'the hole'

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By Whitney Bryen Verified
| Lufkin Daily News Verified
On the nearly four-hour drive from a southeast Idaho prison, Kristine Scott was optimistic. One of 15 women transferred on April 3 to a minimum security prison in Boise, Scott was told she'd work at the community reentry center and live in one of the least restrictive facilities in Idaho's prison system. But when the women arrived at the South Idaho Correctional Institution, Scott said staff told them there weren't enough beds available in the dorms.
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Overflowing Idaho prisons are sending women with good behavior to ‘the hole’

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By Whitney Bryen Verified
| Greenwich Time Verified
Women incarcerated at South Idaho Correctional Institution's pre-release center walk between bunks in one of the dorms on Oct. 6, 2025, in Kuna, Idaho. (Whitney Bryen/InvestigateWest via AP) Whitney Bryen/AP On the nearly four-hour drive from a southeast Idaho prison, Kristine Scott was optimistic.
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Overflowing Idaho prisons are sending women with good behavior to ‘the hole’

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By Whitney Bryen Verified
| The Canadian Press Verified
On the nearly four-hour drive from a southeast Idaho prison, Kristine Scott was optimistic. One of 15 women transferred on April 3 to a minimum security prison in Boise, Scott was told she’d work at the community reentry center and live in one of the least restrictive facilities in Idaho’s prison system. But when the women arrived at the South Idaho Correctional Institution, Scott said staff told them there weren’t enough beds available in the dorms.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

I wrote for the Noble Free Press in Noble, Okla., a twice-monthly paper that was funded, written, edited and published by one man.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Not since I was in elementary school. But I see them at antique stores a lot.

How is social media changing news?

In so many ways, but I love that anyone with access to internet can have a voice.

Awards

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Freedom of Information Oklahoma

2020 - Ben Blackstock Award for Commitment to Freedom of Information

Named for late Oklahoma Press Association Executive Director Ben Blackstock, this award recognizes a non-governmental person or organization that has shown a commitment to freedom of information.

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Great Plains Journalism Awards

2020 - Online Project
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Society of Professional Journalists, Fort Worth: First Amendment Awards

2020 - Defending the Disadvantaged
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists

2019 - Online Video Journalism

From the judges’ comments: “Giving voice to the voiceless is perhaps the highest and best use of journalism, and ‘The Invisibles’ does it with heart, dignity and superb street reporting. The journalists took the time to build relationships with their subjects and earn their trust. Dedra Ray and her great-granddaughter speak as naturally about drug addiction with video journalist Whitney Bryen as they might with a family member. Mashiur Rahaman’s homeless subjects are so at ease in his company — and he in theirs — that he is able to bring his camera intimately close, taking us with him.”

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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists

2019 - General News Reporting
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Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters

2016 - Honorable mention, best business story

Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters

2016 - Best series
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Colorado Press Association

2014 - Best Story/Picture Combination
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Colorado Press Association

2013 - Best sports story
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Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters

2010 - Beat reporting
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