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.
President Donald Trump said Sean “Diddy” Combs requested clemency in a letter and indicated he has no plans to pardon other high-profile inmates
A Senate panel recommends outfitting corrections officers at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, operated by CoreCivic, with body cameras following a violent 2025 riot
The LaRue County Detention Center deputy was arrested after appearing in uniform during a livestream where he made racist and threatening remarks while on duty
The suit accuses a CO of failing to tour the unit and leaving his post unstaffed the night an inmate died of a heart attack; after the CO departed, there was no floor officer in the housing unit for the next 15 hours
The concern is that the change to the New Hampshire Constitution could prevent correctional officers from assigning work to people who are serving time
The suit argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates’ constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event
The Legislative Analyst’s Office suggested that over the next four years, the state can save up to $1 billion annually if it closes five more prisons
“Virginia’s consistently low recidivism rates demonstrate our commitment to evidence-based re-entry. We want everyone in our custody and under our supervision to make the best possible return to society,” VADOC Director Chad Dotson said
The former CO created a digital token he called Blazar Token and marketed it to police, fire personnel, EMTs and other first responders with the promise that it would supplement their pension plan
The inmate was sentenced to die for the 1999 beating death of Daisy Hallum, 70, and to life without parole for the shotgun slaying of her son, Sam Hallum, 38
Nakie Nunley pleaded guilty last year to four counts of sexual abuse of a ward and five lesser felonies of abusive sexual contact of five women
The former Dade Correctional CO was found guilty of second-degree murder
Auditors added “reliance on unsupported software increases risk over the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in the department’s custody. There appears to be a lack of management oversight”
Until September 2022, COs with religious exemptions could have beards up to an inch; CDCR then mandated reapplication for these exemptions to ensure masks fit properly
In a February memo, the probation department announced plans to redeploy 250 field officers on 60-day rotations to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and the Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility
The city’s briefing comes in response to a filing that urged a judge to appoint an outside official to run the system due to an increase in jail violence despite a smaller population compared to eight years ago
A psychologist specializing in forensic evaluations said the department at the Twin Towers jail discriminated and retaliated against her over several years while she worked there
The mayor said the cop had worked for the Pearl Police Department for about six months after having worked at other law enforcement agencies in the Jackson area
The inmate is accused of attacking Sgt. Mark Baserman, 60, in a housing unit’s day room at SCI-Somerset on Feb. 15, 2018
Improving staffing at Georgia’s prisons is one of the biggest challenges facing the system; A senator said it was important to study the staffing issue and come up with solutions to attract qualified COs
Employees at the Jessup Correctional Institution were only being paid for their scheduled shifts rather than when they clocked in and out
Cuyahoga County officials agreed to pay $175,000 to settle the lawsuit and agreed to make policy and procedural changes as part of the agreement
Attorney General Russell Coleman said that the families of victims deserve “justice” via these executions
The court determines if liability falls to jail staff members in a recent case involving an inmate suicide
The suit itself stated that the George W. Hill Correctional Facility warden “systematically targeted roughly sixty-eight (68) individuals who they terminated absent any notice, hearing, charge or due process whatsoever”
The new methods, including electrocution and nitrogen hypoxia, are approved to be used on the state’s nearly 60 death row inmates starting July 1
The inmate, who was returning from furlough, was the first person the jail’s body scanner was used on
“When the criminal charges were dismissed, plaintiff should have been returned to work. However, she remained out of work with no notice from (jail) personnel to return to work,” the suit says
The governor also signed bills that eliminate parole for adults who commit crimes after Aug. 1 and dramatically cut the availability of good behavior credits in prison
“The inmates and dogs get along great. The program not only helps clear a local shelter, but it also gives the inmates a sense of purpose,” FCI Terre Haute said
The former Staton Correctional Facility sergeant was convicted by a jury of deprivation of rights under color of law, falsification of records and obstruction of justice
The state Commission of Correction ruled the inmate’s death was caused by jail deputies who improperly restrained him and asphyxiated him after tying a “spit mask” around his neck and putting a pillowcase over his head
The inmate was being transported back to the correctional center when he created a disturbance in the back of a cruiser; when the deputy checked on him, he pepper sprayed the deputy
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