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.
Robert Roberson was days from lethal injection before judges cited new scientific concerns and a similar overturned conviction
The inmates broke free in May by escaping through a wall behind a toilet in the Orleans Parish jail
Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake met dozens of court-ordered reforms years after allegations of excessive force and abuse
Defense lawyers for Gabriel Hall argued a jury shouldn’t have seen his 2015 interview on Comedy Central
Attorney General Aaron Ford said the state must comply with a federal ruling mandating the state DOC pay for gender confirmation surgery
Tova Noel and Michael Thomas have pleaded not guilty to charges they filed false paperwork while on duty the night Epstein died
Sheriff Don Barnes called the order to change department policy a ‘significant judicial overreach’
Gov. Larry Hogan approved paroles for two men, the first time in 24 years a governor has done so
Officials say the closures will occur by early 2020, will not cause layoffs
A lawsuit challenging new federal capital punishment procedures has stalled the proceedings
Curtis Watson is charged with murdering a corrections administrator before escaping
The support on behalf of Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman comes amid uncertainty that his death penalty sentence will be upheld
Governor Ron DeSantis indicated he prefers the clemency process over retroactive sentence reductions
A lawsuit called for inmates to have contact visits, daily phone access and more time out of their cells
Texas’ top criminal appeals court on Friday halted the scheduled execution of inmate Rodney Reed
The recommendation also calls for lowering of other sentencing requirements in the name of criminal justice reform
Qualifying inmates with one of three mental illnesses can be moved to a pre-trial diversion program paid for by the state
Corrections officials say eight-hour shifts improve prison safety; union argues COs are losing wages
An inmate diagnosed with asthma sued prison officials, alleging they were deliberately indifferent to the secondhand smoke’s impact on his health
Gavin Newsom’s office is drafting a plan that calls for increased supervision and more reentry options for released inmates
The bill would require judges to give inmates sentences that are consistent with current state laws
The proposed ballot measure would prevent prosecutors from using previous nonviolent felony convictions to enhance prison sentences
The suit over the death of Elliott Williams alleged wrongdoing by the county, sheriff
The petition comes on the heels of a mass commutation also aimed at solving overcrowding in state prisons
In light of new evidence, the petition asks for the sentence and conviction to be voided
A lawsuit against his department claims he was demoted, harassed as a result of the report
In light of new evidence, Republican Greg Abbott is being asked to stop Rodney Reed’s Nov. 20 execution
Benjamin Schreiber claimed that, because his heart stopped in the hospital, his life sentence should be fulfilled
Patrick Murphy’s execution has been stayed because the state won’t provide a Buddhist chaplain in the death chamber
The suit alleges a CO sexually assaulted and impregnated an inmate, superiors fostered a ‘culture of sexual abuse’
Kansas Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said he would have to consider if a mass commutation would lead to prison reform
All the released inmates had convictions for low-level drug and property crimes, were released under a bill applying retroactive misdemeanor sentences
By producing quarterly reports, corrections officers track errors with inmate housing categories
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- Judge rules lawsuit can proceed against jail’s medical provider, Pa. county over inmate’s paralysis
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- Lawsuit: Diabetic CO died because supervisors wouldn’t let him take break to check blood levels