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 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
Gregory Rodriguez, 47, was sentenced to 224 years for sexually assaulting nine inmates over an 11-year period at the women’s prison in Chowchilla
A judge last week threw out Richard Phillips’ conviction and ordered a new trial
The lawsuit blames overcrowding and understaffing for the deadly riots, staff assaults and escapes of recent years
House Minority Leader Jim Ward has called for an immediate 10 percent pay increase
Representatives said staffing shortages and the potential for inmate unrest are serious enough that pay raises can’t wait
Rep. Antonio Maestas said there was no evidence that the states with death penalty see fewer attacks on LE or children than those states without it
The court rarely grants such reviews but the state argued police practices are now in question
All corrections officers will receive a pay increase of $2,080 annually, which breaks down to $1 an hour
The ruling is prompting lawyers to apply its fundamental logic to those whose sentences include parole but who stand little chance of getting out
The Supreme Court Justices found that courts must recognize teens’ incomplete brain development and their potential to change
Those convicted of non-violent crimes, served their time and showed that they can stay out of trouble could soon have to have their criminal records expunged
Five years ago, SCOTUS barred mandatory life-without-parole sentences for anyone under 18 convicted of murder
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court judge and ruled in favor of Christopher Ware
A judge has rescinded his program that would reduce inmates’ jail time if they voluntarily underwent birth control procedures
Over the last year, at least 67 juvenile lifers have been resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole
SC DOC Director Bryan Stirling focused on the challenges his department faces and what needs to be done to fix them
Rep. J.R. Claeys is seeking a 15 percent to 20 percent pay hike for uniformed corrections officers
DOJ won’t award grants to cities unless they give federal immigration authorities access to jails and provide notice when illegal immigrants are about to be released
The inmates’ attorneys said that inmates at the West Valley Detention Center were stunned with TASERs while delivering meals to other inmates
The plaintiffs say information about executions has historically been open to the public
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca’s attorneys asked a federal court to let him remain free while his corruption conviction is appealed
The potential flaw in the proposed medical-furlough law is that it depends entirely on Medicaid
States are struggling to obtain execution drugs because European pharmaceutical companies began blocking the use of their products for lethal injections
Ohio argued the state risks “ongoing irreparable harm” if the delays are granted
After getting released, Simpson plans to move to Florida, a state with a strong law that would shield his home and everything in it from seizure to satisfy the verdict
The lawsuit cites the death of 22 Texas inmates since 1998 from exposure to indoor heat in the summertime
More are expected to come, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office predicts a possible 17 percent reduction in its workforce
The concert is a continuation of producer Scott Budnick’s alliance with Common and is meant to help change both public perception and policy about those in jail
The court decided only juvenile killers who possess “irretrievable depravity” can be denied future parole eligibility
Kym Worthy says it’s not in response to any rash of bad cases, but that no prosecutor wants to keep an innocent person in prison
MOST POPULAR
- Teens kept in isolation cells at Ky. juvenile detention center, lawsuit alleges
- Va. jail ends ‘God Pod’ after Muslim inmates sue
- Violence, overdoses leads to regression in New Orleans jail consent decree compliance
- Rikers CO cleared of wrongdoing after city paid $9M to detainee in jail attack
- Former Va. death row inmate granted parole