April 4, 2013

Why Women Guards Are Useful and Needed

Terrific analysis in Corrections.com about the differences between male and female corrections officers. Jessica Herbert studied innate differences in sexes, including responses to stressful situations and also work environments (occassionally the same thing). One conclusion: prisons are hierarchical, and women's strengths are found instead in collaboration and mentoring.
April 4, 2013

Graphic novel on temporary sale–hurry!

For reasons understood only by Amazon.com, the graphic novel for inmates is on sale for almost 40% off. Prison Grievances: when to write, how to write, is a 60-page book of art, drama, and checklists that will help inmates learn when it makes sense to write a grievance. Then it'll teach them how to effectively write one.
April 3, 2013

New Orleans jail makes news, again

Currently a federal court is investigating Parish Prison (city jail) and deciding whether to put it into receivership. The City is balking at the cost it would incure. Meanwhile, a 4-yr-old video shows appalling conditions almost unimaginable--inmates shooting up heroin, playing with loaded gun, drinking beer--all while supposedly being guarded. The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Dept. of Justice have brought a class-action lawsuit against the sheriff.
March 31, 2013

Staggering Numbers Incarcerated in Illinois

Illinois prisons cannot hold all 50,000 inmates, so common sense better reign.
March 30, 2013

CCA Replaces Failing Lake Erie Warden with –Another CCA Warden

CCA is switching wardens around after gangs overrun Lake Erie faciltiy, independent pison monitor criticizes management.
March 29, 2013

Mandatory Drug Decision Revisited–Inmate Freed

Danbury inmate released from 15-year cocaine sentence on technicality; original judge led efforts because he hated the required maximum sentencing.
March 28, 2013

Inmates May Sue Federal Gov’t for Staff Abuse

Supreme Court Justice wrote today, in Millbrook v. United States, that an intentional tort by a law enforcement officer does not fall under the exemption/immunity for federal employees. Thus inmates may file suit for sexual abuse (as in the case).
March 27, 2013

300th Wrongly Convicted Man Freed; 18th Death-Row

This Louisiana case developed when police interrogated a suspect for 9 hours, who, unsurprisingly, confessed to the murder of a distant cousin.  Although he recanted when […]
March 26, 2013

Is Life without Parole any Better than Death Penalty?

Maryland became the 18th state to abolish the death penalty, and Delaware may soon follow.  Lots to think about here–no Southern state has voted that way;  […]
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