Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott dismissed Vance Boelter's complaints about jail conditions, emphasizing that he is in custody for serious crimes and is being treated like other inmates, despite Boelter's claims of sleep deprivation and poor conditions. The sheriff condemned Boelter's complaints as disrespectful, especially during a time of national mourning for the victims of his alleged crimes.
The New York City Council has voted to ban most instances of solitary confinement in city jails, with enough votes to override a potential veto from Mayor Eric Adams. The measure would limit solitary confinement to four hours for de-escalation purposes and during emergencies, while also requiring detainees to have at least 14 hours outside of their cells each day. The bill, which had 38 co-sponsors, passed with a 39-7 vote and will now go to the mayor for approval or veto. The resolution comes amid scrutiny over deaths at Rikers Island and could have a significant impact on the treatment of individuals in jails across the country.
Sybil Garbow, a 72-year-old Black woman, shares her experience of being jailed in Minnesota for assaulting a white coworker. She describes substandard conditions in the jail, including poor hygiene, inadequate dietary adjustments for her health conditions, and lack of respect from some staff members. Garbow plans to appeal her conviction and is determined to pay the restitution, but she feels there is an injustice problem in Anoka for Black people and hopes for a fair trial where the truth can come out.
A detainee in the St. Louis City Justice Center died after an apparent suicide attempt. The man was found unconscious in his cell and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at a hospital. The jail has faced criticism for inhumane conditions and has seen several deaths in recent years. The facility recently announced a new healthcare provider and the city's jail oversight board made its first official visit to the jail.
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.
Sam Bankman-Fried's defense team argued in a hearing that his limited internet access and inadequate laptop tech specs in jail were hindering his ability to prepare for his upcoming trial. They requested his release from jail, but the federal judge overseeing the case declined to grant their request. The judge gave both parties until next Tuesday to brief him on the conditions in the jail facility before deciding on temporary release. The defense also requested to preclude all documents produced after July 1 due to the late disclosure by the government, but the judge denied the request. The defense can ask for a trial postponement if they need more time to review the documents. The hearing also involved discussions about Bankman-Fried's laptop battery life and internet access in jail, with the defense arguing that the proposed solutions were not practical. Bankman-Fried has been in jail since August on charges of attempted witness tampering.
Newly obtained records shed light on the events leading up to Jeffrey Epstein's suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, including his struggles to adapt to life behind bars and the fundamental failings of the Bureau of Prisons. The documents dispel conspiracy theories and reveal Epstein's attempt to connect with another high-profile pedophile, Larry Nassar, by mail. The records also highlight the poor conditions of the jail and the severe staffing shortages that contributed to Epstein's death. Two guards were charged with falsifying records, but an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department's inspector general is still underway.
The family of Lashawn Thompson, who was found dead in his Georgia jail cell last year covered in bedbugs, lice, and roaches, is seeking justice and pushing for a federal investigation into the conditions of the facility. Thompson's body had more than 1,000 bites on his face, eyes, neck, ears, and body. The Fulton County Sheriff called the death an "inexcusable and unconscionable tragedy" and accepted the resignation of key Fulton County Jail leaders. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has offered to pay for an independent autopsy to be conducted in the case. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has launched an inquiry to strengthen the oversight of jails.
Lashawn Thompson, a man with mental health issues, died in a filthy jail cell in Atlanta, Georgia, after being "eaten alive by insects and bed bugs." His family is calling for the closure and replacement of the jail, as well as a criminal investigation into his death. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation and approved an extra $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the jail. Issues with jail conditions in Fulton County have been raised before.
The family of LaShawn Thompson, an inmate who died in the Fulton County Jail last year, is demanding a criminal investigation into his death and for the facility to be closed and a new one to be built. Family attorney Michael Harper blamed unsanitary conditions and complications from insect bites for Thompson’s death in September after three months in jail. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said a full investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Thompson’s death. Thompson had been in custody on a misdemeanor assault charge since June 2022 and was housed in the psychiatric wing of the jail because of his mental health issues.
