Journalists and editors covering the federal criminal justice system regularly turn to this firm for comment. Christopher Zoukis writes and is quoted on Bureau of Prisons policy and prison education; Elizabeth Franklin-Best publishes legal analysis on federal appeals, habeas, and compassionate release. Below is a selection of outlets that have carried their work.
Written by Christopher Zoukis · 2018
Huffington Post
Prisoner and inmate rights advocate Christopher Zoukis has published over 200 articles challenging conventional prison policies and advocating for reforms. His work focuses on promoting education, humane treatment, and reducing recidivism, drawing on his experience and research within prison systems.
Author archive: Christopher Zoukis
Prison Legal News
Since 2013, Chris Zoukis has written more than 500 articles for Prison Legal News on contraband enforcement, medical care, prisoner safety, and public health behind bars.
Written by Christopher Zoukis · 2016
NY Daily News
After working to support inmates for decades with their legal battles, Chris Zoukis explains why the U.S. needs to reexamine how it uses sex offender registries.
Written by Christopher Zoukis · 2021
News-Press
In his articles for News Press, our lead federal prison consultant, Christopher Zoukis, argues that the federal effort to reduce recidivism is failing because it offers weak incentives and insufficient real rehabilitation, focusing more on symbolism than meaningful change.
Written by Christopher Zoukis · 2021
The Good Men Project
Zoukis suggests to the independent magazine Good Men Project that the federal government shift toward programs that address education, job skills, and behavior change to reduce recidivism, rather than relying on limited sentence credits.
Written by Elizabeth Franklin-Best · 2025
Best Lawyers
Federal criminal defense attorney Elizabeth Franklin-Best explains in this specialized magazine how compassionate release allows incarcerated people to seek early sentence reduction for extraordinary reasons like serious illness, age, family hardship, or outdated sentencing laws. She elaborates on the legal process, court requirements, and her involvement in compassionate release litigation.
Written by Elizabeth Franklin-Best · 2026
Law360
Expert analyst and federal criminal defense lawyer Elizabeth Franklin-Best explains what the ruling in Bowe v. United States could mean for federal prisoners in matters involving the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act.
Written by Elizabeth Franklin-Best · 2019
NACDL — The Champion
Harjo v. City of Albuquerque: A Road Map for Challenging Government Forfeiture Programs, co-authored with David B. Smith for NACDL's magazine The Champion.
Case argued by Elizabeth Franklin-Best · 2019
The Seattle Times
Associated Press coverage of the petition for rehearing in United States v. Michael Slager, the federal appeal Elizabeth Franklin-Best argued.
Quoted: Elizabeth Franklin-Best · 2019
ABC4 News
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, who argued the appeal, on the reversal of Oscar Fortune's murder conviction after the prosecutor suggested defense lawyers and their clients lie.
Quoted: Christopher Zoukis · 2015
Truthout
Zoukis encourages higher education as a key to decarceration and comments on the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program and the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act.
Research cited: Christopher Zoukis · 2021
The Berkeley Beacon
Reporting on the Emerson Prison Initiative's return to in-person college classes, citing recidivism research on incarcerated students who earn a bachelor's degree.
Research cited: Christopher Zoukis
Built In
On hiring returning citizens: why vocational training and education in prison determine whether someone succeeds after release.
Profile of Christopher Zoukis · 2020
Freestone County Times
Christopher Zoukis reported to a federal prison for a dozen years. Now, he provides help and advice to people already in prison or who are about to be incarcerated.
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Quoted: Christopher Zoukis · 2016
Harlem World Magazine
America spends $80 billion a year keeping criminals behind bars, but research has shown that the cost could be reduced by making one thing more accessible to inmates: education.
Working With Our Attorneys on a Story
We provide background and on-the-record commentary on federal sentencing, post-conviction procedure, BOP conditions, and clemency. For deadlines, expertise areas, and contact details, see the Media Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where have the firm’s attorneys been quoted?
Christopher Zoukis and Elizabeth Franklin-Best have been quoted, published, or featured by outlets including the Huffington Post, Prison Legal News, the New York Daily News, Law360, The Seattle Times, Truthout, ABC4 News, Best Lawyers, and the NACDL’s magazine The Champion.
What subjects do they comment on?
Federal sentencing policy, post-conviction and compassionate release litigation, Bureau of Prisons conditions and policy, prison education, and criminal justice reform.
Can a journalist request comment or an interview?
Yes. Our Media Guide explains how to reach the firm for expert commentary, including areas of expertise and how quickly we can respond to a deadline.
Has Elizabeth Franklin-Best published legal analysis?
Yes. She writes Expert Analysis for Law360 on habeas and compassionate release, published a complete guide to federal compassionate release for Best Lawyers, and has written for The Champion (NACDL) and South Carolina Lawyer since 2014.
Has Christopher Zoukis published on prison policy?
Yes. He has published more than 200 articles on the federal prison system, including for the Huffington Post and Prison Legal News, and is the author of the Federal Prison Handbook.
Working on a Story, or Facing a Federal Case?
Journalists can reach the firm for background and on-the-record commentary — see the Media Guide for topics and deadlines. If you or a family member is facing a federal matter, representation begins with a paid, one-hour consultation.