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 Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act aims to improve staffing, reduce burnout and enhance safety in federal prisons
The former Dannemora mayor, who is currently a DOCCS civilian employee, allegedly arranged brief municipal work to qualify retiring corrections officers for higher-tier benefits
In Brooks’ case, former sergeant Glenn Trombly testified he had officers file several drafts of use of force reports and urged officers to “get their stories straight”
In his initial lawsuit, Jonathan Griggs said he got in trouble for reporting what he believed was illegal activity within the lockup
Since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, Virginia is second only to Texas in number of executions, at 113
Kohchise Jackson alleges a lack of adequate replacement bags and patches resulted in him frequently leaking human waste onto himself and his bunk
The GEO Group, Inc., claims that a new ban on for-profit lockups in California is unconstitutional
Debra Becnel was one of four St. Bernard deputies charged with deprivation of civil rights under color of law following the death of 19-year-old inmate Nimali Henry
The Cuyahoga County Jail struggled with understaffing, overpopulation; officials seek to address issues with personnel changes and wage hikes
Officials say understaffing contributes to a rise in inmate deaths, lack of CO safety
When Michele Smiley was booked on a probation violation she told staff she had ingested “a lot” of meth
The survey found that trust and morale remain low among correctional officers at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
Edward Johnson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of possession of dangerous weapons
The assault and murder of corrections administrator Debra Johnson has led to questions in court hearings about security at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary
Failure to accommodate inmates with disabilities puts jails at considerable legal risk, while posing safety risks to inmates and COs
A federal appeals court ruled officials changed their policies after refusing to distribute a legal magazine to inmates
The suit alleges Richard Bid should have been monitored closely because he repeatedly said he intended to kill himself
Despite state’s push to privatize prisons, switching to public healthcare would save the state between $40M and $46M yearly
Laws passed to reduce prison crowding has burdened counties to house inmates without any funding to cover the cost
The task force will reexamine the need for body cameras, health and wellness interventions for officers and staff
The lawsuit also alleges the state prison system is out of compliance with the ADA
The justices blocked the Trump administration from resuming federal executions after a 16-year break
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections asked state legislators to lower the minimum hiring age to 18
Five New Yorkers said they were falsely arrested earlier this year after COs accused them of soaking the books they brought in with a liquid form of the drug K2
A federal lawsuit alleges inmates were forced to work in dangerous conditions in order to qualify for work release to outside jobs
Mark Inch told lawmakers staffing shortages and funding shortfalls contribute to inmate violence and CO injury
A trial date has been set for the COs who were assigned to watch Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison
A class action suit alleges inmates were placed in solitary confinement and lost privileges over inaccurate tests
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
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