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.
The bill would modernize Idaho’s 1978 “Son of Sam” law to prevent convicted offenders like Bryan Kohberger and Lori Vallow Daybell from profiting off books, interviews or films
ICE
Tom Homan links reduced street enforcement to jail cooperation following the deaths of two U.S. citizens in immigration operations
Krista Purvis alleged she was fired in 2022 after reporting bias and harassment tied to her gender and sexual orientation
Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration was ordered to stop keeping inmates and their attorneys in the dark over which inmates can be released
The rulings also stand to revive potentially cases of more than 100 inmates who claim racial bias was the reason or a significant factor for their death sentence
Senator Bob Steinburg discusses prison reform
The inmates were scheduled for transfer as part of an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton
US District Judge Solomon Oliver rebutted an opinion from a doctor who said prison conditions could lead to an outbreak
A judge said the state can condition voting on fines and restitution a person is able to pay, but can’t condition voting on payment of amounts a person is unable to pay
Reporting and dissecting close calls will improve safety while decreasing liability
Archie Williams’ emotional and now viral audition included the story of his exoneration
The court is thrust into the fray as state and federal prisons nationwide have become hot spots for infections and illness
Ronald Prible was sentenced to death on a capital murder charge in connection with the slayings of five family members in 1999
In addition to the risk of depression and suicide, transgender people experience sexual violence, harassment and other adverse conditions at higher rates than the general population
The lawsuit claims officials failed to provide clean environments, basic sanitary supplies and PPE to prisoners and staff
The lawsuit accuses Gov. Mike DeWine and the state’s prison director of violating their constitutional rights by failing to do more to prevent an outbreak
A judge ruled the inmates had failed to prove KDOC didn’t provide adequate medical care or acted with deliberate difference to their medical needs
Two COs said they were retaliated against after filing complaints alleging disability discrimination
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals said a judge overstepped when she ruled Metro West Detention Center inmates get the supplies and be tested for COVID-19
Oakland County Jail inmate Jamaal Cameron said he could reach from his jail cell out, around and into an adjacent cell where inmates with COVID-19 were held
“The respondents are not being deliberately indifferent to the health and safety of the inmates ... the court is denying the relief that is sought,” a chief justice said
The department is facing a class action lawsuit after more than 1,400 inmates were confirmed COVID-19 positive and 41 inmates have died
Cortney Rolley and Christopher Hampton were beaten by Elmore Correctional Facility Sgt. Ulysses Oliver Jr., who faces up to 20 years in prison
As of Monday, 176 prisoners within jurisdiction of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and 120 employees had tested positive for COVID-19
Judge Matthew Kennelly’s order called on jail authorities to speak regularly to inmates to stress the importance of social distancing
Lawyers are trying to persuade a judge to permanently undo a state law that requires felons to first settle their financial debts before regaining the right to vote
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham argued she has taken sufficient steps to reduce the threat of COVID-19 to inmates
In a 5-4 decision, a court majority found the emergency petition by Columbia Legal Services had not proven the state is failing in its duties to incarcerated people
Health experts and criminal justice advocates are pushing for early inmate releases to alleviate crowding
The assistant director of Cook County Jail testified that more than 175 tiers in the facility have transitioned to single-cell housing to help stem the spread of COVID-19
Corrections officers claim they are due pay for the time it takes to begin and end each shift
Lawyers argued the ruling was “absurd,” because it prioritized the needs of inmates over front line workers
“Now it’s Connecticut’s turn to protect us,” Collin Provost, a state prison corrections officer and union president, said
MOST POPULAR
- Pa. solitary confinement inmates file federal class-action lawsuit
- Judge rules lawsuit can proceed against jail’s medical provider, Pa. county over inmate’s paralysis
- Former NM prison inmate files lawsuit claiming poor medical care
- Former instructor files lawsuit against New Mexico Corrections Training Academy
- Ohio man at center of prison abuse trial arrested again