At least 31 inmates, including 27 who hanged themselves, were found dead in Ecuador's El Oro prison following gang clashes and violence, highlighting ongoing issues with overcrowding and gang influence in the country's prisons.
A riot at a prison in Machala, Ecuador, resulted in 4 inmate deaths and over 30 injuries, triggered by inmate reorganization for a new maximum-security facility. The incident follows a recent history of deadly prison violence linked to gang conflicts and highlights the ongoing issues of overcrowding and organized crime within Ecuador's prisons.
Charges against the warden and eight staffers at Wisconsin's Waupun Correctional Institution for the deaths of two inmates have intensified calls to close the deteriorating prison. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for action, but concerns over job losses and the cost of building a new facility have been obstacles. The prison has faced severe understaffing, leading to extended lockdowns and inadequate inmate care, with multiple lawsuits alleging neglect and abuse.
The former warden of Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin, Randall Hepp, and eight other prison employees have been charged in connection with multiple inmate deaths over the past year. The charges include misconduct in public office and abuse of an inmate, following a report that inmates were confined to their cells for months and denied medical care.
Nine individuals, including the warden of Waupun Correctional Institution, have been charged in connection with the deaths of two inmates in Wisconsin. The charges stem from alleged misconduct and abuse, with one inmate dying from a stroke and another from malnutrition. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has stated that the accused are no longer employed or are on unpaid leave, and legal representation will not be provided by the state.
The warden of Wisconsin's Waupun Correctional Institution, Randall Hepp, and eight staff members have been charged following investigations into the deaths of four inmates over the past year. Charges include misconduct in public office and inmate abuse. The prison, which has faced multiple issues including a federal smuggling investigation and a lockdown due to guard shortages, is under scrutiny from both state and federal authorities. Governor Tony Evers has called for continued investigations to ensure accountability and justice.
The warden and eight staff members of Wisconsin's Waupun Correctional Institution have been charged following investigations into the deaths of four inmates over the past year. The charges include misconduct in public office and inmate abuse. The state Department of Corrections and federal authorities are conducting ongoing investigations, and the governor has called for accountability and justice.
Ronald Lewis, a retired attorney from Houston, is facing charges for allegedly delivering drug-laced papers to the Harris County Jail, resulting in the deaths of two inmates. The papers, disguised as legal mail, were reportedly brought in by Lewis in exchange for payments ranging from $200 to $500. The substance on the papers is being tested by the Texas Rangers, and investigations have revealed that at least 154 sheets of paper may have been laced with narcotics. The relationship between Lewis and the inmates is unclear, and the jail has implemented stricter protocols for jail mail following the incident.
A Texas attorney, Ronald Lewis, has been arrested for allegedly smuggling legal paperwork laced with ecstasy and synthetic marijuana into the Harris County Jail in Houston. Lewis is accused of visiting 14 inmates and providing them with drug-laced papers disguised as legal mail or documents. The arrest came after a monthslong investigation into an increase in drug overdoses at the jail. Lewis has been charged with two counts of bringing a prohibited substance into a correctional facility. The sheriff's office is working with the Texas Rangers to determine if any of the narcotics introduced by Lewis contributed to inmate deaths. The jail is implementing a new system to digitize inmate documents to prevent the flow of illegal drugs.
Christian Rayo, who was awaiting trial for a murder charge related to a New Year's Eve chase that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old girl, has died in custody at the Harris County jail in Texas. Rayo suffered a medical emergency and was pronounced dead at a hospital. His death is being investigated by the Texas Rangers. This marks the 18th inmate death in Harris County custody this year and the third in four days. The county has been grappling with a high number of jail deaths in recent years, prompting concerns about jail conditions and solutions.
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched civil rights investigations into the jails in Charleston and Richland Counties in South Carolina following multiple inmate deaths. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated that the investigations will focus on whether the jails comply with basic constitutional standards, including access to medical and mental health care, use of force by staff, and dangerous living conditions. The deaths of two inmates, Jamal Sutherland and DeAngelo Brown, were cited as examples of alleged neglect and excessive force. The investigations aim to ensure that incarcerated individuals are not subjected to violations of their civil and constitutional rights.
At least 1 in 4 inmate deaths in federal prisons occur at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina, which houses the Bureau of Prisons' largest cancer treatment facility. An investigation by NPR reveals that many inmates across the country are not receiving timely medical care, with some waiting months or even years for treatment. Delays in care, staffing shortages, and issues within the prison system contribute to preventable deaths. The Bureau of Prisons claims to meet medical standards but NPR found that its certification lapsed two years ago. Inmates, families, and experts argue that federal inmates, who have a constitutional right to healthcare, are dying more often than they should.
A detainee was killed and two others injured in a mass stabbing at Fulton County Jail, marking the fifth death of an inmate since the end of July. The sheriff's office is investigating the incident, which comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the jail's dilapidated and unsanitary conditions, as well as violence against detainees. The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the jail, including its treatment of inmates with psychiatric disabilities. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis called for a new, larger facility that treats people humanely.
A prisoner was fatally stabbed and two others were injured at Georgia's Fulton County Jail. This incident follows the recent death of another inmate at the same facility. The jail has been under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department due to allegations of unsafe conditions, violence, and excessive use of force. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis highlighted the inadequate conditions at the jail, calling for a larger and more humane facility. The incident is currently under investigation.
One inmate has died and two others were injured in a stabbing incident at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. The circumstances leading to the stabbings are unknown, and the conditions of the injured inmates are unclear. The jail has been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for deplorable conditions, excessive force, discrimination, and inadequate medical care. This incident adds to the ongoing concerns surrounding the jail, which has seen multiple inmate deaths this year.