Ivana Hrynkiw, an investigative reporter for AL.com, is a finalist in the 2025 Livingston Awards for her series that prompted immediate and lasting changes to Alabama’s parole system.

Hrynkiw, 31, was nominated for her series, Denied: Alabama’s broken parole system.

“Ivana does the sort of work that changes lives,” said Challen Stephens, acting vice president of news for Alabama Media Group. “Last year her reporting helped numerous people emerge from the state’s troubled prison system. And we’re happy to see her recognized nationally.”

Hrynkiw’s reporting found that Alabama in 2017 paroled most prisoners who were eligible. But under new leadership, paroles fell to just 8% by 2023. That’s despite the parole board’s own guidelines suggesting more than 80% of prisoners should qualify for a second chance.

The series has led to significant impact. The parole rate rose to 20% the month after the first article, and finished 2024 at 20%, according to state data. That comes out to roughly 250 more people getting out of prison last year than in 2023.

Lawmakers also held hearings and demanded answers, as prisoners featured on AL.com found lawyers or got new hearings that resulted in their release.

The Livingston Awards honor the best reporting and storytelling in the nation by journalists under 35. The Wallace House Center for Journalists and the University of Michigan today announced finalists in categories recognizing local, national and international reporting.

“In a world where algorithms and devices often constrict our view and narrow our understanding, these finalists exemplify the fierce commitment of reporters to dig beyond dominant narratives,” said Lynette Clemetson, director of the awards and the Wallace House Center for Journalists. “Their work uncovers overlooked stories and voices that demand our attention. We invite you to read, watch, and listen to some of the most compelling journalism of the past year.”

Hrynkiw is a finalist in the local reporting category, alongside journalists from The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and outlets across the country.

The panel that judges the Livingston Awards includes leading journalists from, PBS, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Reuters, the Columbia Journalism Review and ABC News, among others.

Hrynkiw recently won an award from Investigative Reporters and Editors for her reporting on the parole board. Last month, she was recognized as one of Tomorrow’s News Trailblazers by Editor & Publisher Magazine.

The Denied series was also recently named a finalist for a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association.