Brian Rinker is a San Francisco-based freelance writer and journalist. He covers public health, child welfare, digital health, startups and venture capital. His work has been published by Kaiser Health News, Health Affairs, The Atlantic, Men’s Health and San Francisco Business Times. Brian received master’s degrees in journalism and public health from UC Berkeley.
When two key sources disappear, a reporter finds a new way forward. "I found the freedom to shed the bulldog reporter persona and adjust my approach," he writes.
Personal experiences drive efforts amid the state of California's juvenile justice system changes.
A conversation with Katherine Lucero, the first director of California's Office of Youth and Community Restoration.
The closures of California's youth prison system had been in the works since Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020 announced the shutdown, which would trim costs from juvenile justice budgets.
“The state opened up Pandora’s box and now we’re trying to manage this disaster,” one source told me.
Matt, 14, Terrick, 12, and Joseph, 11 pretended to go to church that day in 2006, but in secret they had planned to run away and never come back. No more living with an angry grandmother who drank. No more beatings with the belt.
