Legal
Legal issues in the correctional system encompass various topics, including inmate rights, staff conduct, and compliance with state and federal laws. This directory offers articles and resources on the legal aspects of correctional facility operations, helping staff stay informed about the regulations and policies that govern their work. Understanding legal responsibilities is essential for minimizing liability and ensuring facilities operate within the law. For more information, explore our section on Corrections Policies.
Steven Bixby, convicted of killing two Abbeville County officers, argues his anti-government beliefs make him unfit for execution under state law
Christian Walker died in custody after two confrontations with corrections officers at High Desert State Prison
The bill aims to compensate incarcerated crews more fairly and improve rehabilitation opportunities
The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board will now be able to investigate the actions of jail medical staff and contractors involved in custody death cases
A Somerset County jury convicted Paul J. Kendrick of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death for killing Sgt. Mark Baserman in 2018
The scanning policy, backed by AFSCME, follows reports of fentanyl and synthetic drugs entering prisons through letters and legal mail
LASD says hundreds of millions have gone into staffing, medical care and infrastructure, while the attorney general alleges preventable deaths and neglect
An autopsy cited complications from mechanical asphyxia, with cardiovascular disease as a contributing factor in the Wyandotte County Detention Center death
The proposal would remove a federal restriction that has long blocked prisons from using signal-jamming technology
The proposed ordinance would allow the review board to investigate care providers involved in in-custody deaths in San Diego County
The legislation is part of a broader effort to address chemical exposures in correctional facilities
The Department of Homeland Security called the ruling “a win for the American people, the rule of law and common sense”
How new federal tax rules could affect your paycheck, deductions and long-term savings
Prison officials say the goal is to minimize correctional staff involvement as the state prepares to make firing squad its primary method by 2026
Ralph Leroy Menzies, convicted of a 1986 murder, was days away from execution when the court intervened
Gov. Gavin Newsom said many offenders had faced childhood trauma and mental health struggles that shaped their crimes
A national lack of prison climate control is testing Eighth Amendment protections and correctional workforce resilience
Curtis Windom’s death marks Florida’s 11th execution in 2025 — a new state record since capital punishment resumed in 1976
The Third Circuit said FCI Fairton’s grievance system was sufficient and denied Rolando Muniz’s constitutional and disability claims
The drone crashed during a 2021 contraband delivery to the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, where Jason Totty was linked by fingerprints
Joe L. Binder was convicted of baton assault during an altercation that injured multiple inmates and two COs, prompting ADOC to require supervisors to wear body cameras
In one case, a judge blocked the DOJ’s attempt to seek the death penalty for a 2022 police officer killing, citing due process violations
Two Wallens Ridge State Prison officers were stabbed multiple times and a third was assaulted in the incident
The panel pointed to repeated cellphone use and alleged gang involvement as reasons for denying parole for three more years
Paul Kendrick, 30, was sentenced for the 2018 beating death of Sgt. Mark Baserman and received two additional life terms for assaults on COs
Lyle and Erik Menendez are set for separate parole hearings that could lead to their release nearly 30 years after their convictions for killing their parents
Sen. Saud Anwar said solitary confinement harms not only those incarcerated but also COs, who face moral injuries along with higher rates of anxiety and depression
The lawsuit alleges La Plata County and its sheriff’s office knew Edward Aber had a history of being accused of sexual impropriety or harassment when he was hired
Jovan Jackson, Nevada’s first formerly incarcerated state legislator, said the law, which goes into effect Oct. 1, will create new training opportunities
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