| 2019 | American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment | J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize Project source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize | |
| 2019 | American Prison | PEN America Literary Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison | Kirkus Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2018 | American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into The Business Of Punishment | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2018 | American Prison | Barack Obama's Favorite Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Favorite Books | |
| 2018 | American Prison | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison | New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment | The Boston Globe Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison | BookPage Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2018 | American Prison: A Reporter’s Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment | Library Journal Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Social Sciences | |