All articles tagged with #prison reform
Originally Published 6 days ago — by NBC News
Rob and Michele Reiner formed a bond with Nanon Williams, a man convicted of murder, through shared interests in poetry and justice, ultimately supporting his journey from death row to life imprisonment and advocating for prison reform and abolition of the death penalty.
Originally Published 2 months ago — by The Washington Post
After his release from federal prison, ex-Rep. George Santos expresses his desire to dedicate his life to prison reform.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by The New York Times
Erik and Lyle Menendez are undergoing separate parole hearings after nearly 36 years since their 1990 murders of their parents, with decisions expected to be announced late Thursday and Friday; the hearings are closed, conducted via video conference, and involve assessments of their rehabilitation efforts, with final parole decisions pending legal review and gubernatorial approval.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by CNN
Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted of their parents' 1989 murders, are facing parole hearings after over 30 years in prison, with their release contingent on the parole board's decision and the governor's approval, amid ongoing debates over their responsibility and rehabilitation efforts.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has sparked hope among prison inmates that they might also receive clemency. This move has intensified discussions around prison reform and the broader implications of presidential pardons in the criminal justice system.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
A judge has found New York City in contempt of court, which may lead to a federal takeover of Rikers Island jail complex. This decision comes amid ongoing concerns about the conditions and management of the facility, highlighting the city's failure to comply with previous court orders aimed at reforming the troubled jail system.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Department of Justice
The U.S. Justice Department has found that conditions at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia violate the 8th and 14th Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The investigation revealed unsafe, unsanitary conditions, inadequate medical care, and a high risk of violence, including homicides and stabbings. The report highlights systemic failures and calls for urgent reforms to ensure humane treatment of incarcerated individuals. The Justice Department aims to work with local authorities to address these issues.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ABC News
Los Angeles County's troubled juvenile detention facilities, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and Central Juvenile Hall, have been allowed to remain open after state regulators lifted their "unsuitable" designation, despite failed inspections over safety issues and other problems. The Board of State and Community Corrections warned that the facilities must sustain improvements, and the county probation department acknowledged ongoing concerns and the need for further action. This decision comes as California shifts responsibility for youth prisons to counties, following a reform effort driven by a class-action lawsuit and incentives to keep youths out of the state system.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by KELOLAND.com
Tension remains high at a state prison in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a second incident occurring and inmates no longer allowed to use tablets for communication. Activities like carpentry and paint shops have been shut down, leading to anger among inmates. Staffing shortages and overworked officers are contributing to the hostile environment, according to a senior corrections officer and a prison reform advocate.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo News
Glynn Simmons, an innocent Black man, spent 50 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. He is now eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation from the state for his wrongful conviction, but a bill in Oklahoma aims to limit compensation to $50,000 for every year spent in prison. Simmons, who is currently battling cancer, is relying on GoFundMe donations to cover his living expenses and medical treatments. He plans to use his remaining time to advocate for reforming the criminal justice system and preventing others from experiencing the same injustice.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by AL.com
Families of incarcerated individuals in Alabama prisons testified before state lawmakers, sharing stories of beatings, rape, and death suffered by their loved ones while in custody. They called for urgent action to address the excessive dangers and lack of protection within the prison system. The U.S. Department of Justice has previously filed a lawsuit against Alabama, alleging constitutional violations due to the high levels of violence in prisons. Advocacy groups also spoke out, urging lawmakers to increase oversight and make unannounced visits to the prisons. Families emphasized the need for reform to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Houston Texans rookie quarterback CJ Stroud discusses his father's incarceration and advocates for prison reform, calling the criminal justice system corrupt. Stroud, who broke the rookie record for most passing yards in a single game, shares his struggles of balancing family, football, and supporting his father, who is serving a 38-year to life sentence. He expresses his desire for his father to see him play and highlights the poor conditions in some prisons. Stroud aims to shed light on the issue and calls for reform.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
46 women were killed in a carefully planned massacre by inmates belonging to the notorious Barrio 18 street gang at a women's prison in Tamara, Honduras. The incident has led to calls for change to the country's prison system and even talk of whether Honduras should emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set up in neighboring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele. Honduras' prisons are in a shameful state, characterized by overcrowding, crumbling facilities, and poorly trained guards. The government has placed all of the country's 21 prisons under the control of the military police for one year, but there is no immediate plan to improve the conditions in prison.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
J.K. Rowling criticized Scottish National Party leadership candidate Humza Yousaf for claiming to support women's rights while voting to make it easier for biological male rapists to be housed with female inmates. Yousaf had voted against an amendment to Scottish law that would prevent convicted male rapists from being housed in women's prisons. Rowling mocked Yousaf's campaign ad featuring a pink heart and quote about upholding women's rights, and asked him a series of biting questions about his stance on gender self-identification and the safety of vulnerable women and girls.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Hill
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to transform San Quentin prison into a rehabilitation facility inspired by Norway's prison system. The facility will be renamed San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and will provide incarcerated individuals with access to programs that will equip them with skills and tools to be successful inside and outside of prison. The plan aims to prevent released prisoners from committing another crime and returning to prison, making communities safer. The facility will no longer house death row inmates, and the change is designed to help incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society once they complete their sentences.