R. Kelly's lawyers have accused prison staff of attempting to kill him and have requested a temporary furlough, while Kelly seeks a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Prosecutors dismiss the murder plot claims as fanciful, and a court hearing is scheduled to decide on Kelly's furlough request.
Missouri executed Brian Dorsey for the 2006 murder of his cousin and her husband, despite a plea for clemency from dozens of prison staffers who described him as a "model inmate." Dorsey, who had requested clemency, thanked those who tried to save his life and apologized for his actions in his last words. The U.S. Supreme Court denied last-minute attempts to halt the execution. Dorsey's case raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system and the potential for rehabilitation in the prison system.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson denied a last-minute attempt to stay the execution of Brian Dorsey, who is scheduled to be executed for the 2006 double-murder of his cousin and her husband. Dorsey's legal team and over 70 prison staff members had argued for clemency, citing his rehabilitation and exemplary behavior in prison. However, Parson stated that carrying out Dorsey's sentence would deliver justice and provide closure. Dorsey's attorneys raised concerns about ineffective counsel and argued that his rehabilitation raises questions about the Eighth Amendment's protection from execution.
Two employees at the Topeka Correctional Facility in Kansas were fired and six others were disciplined after allegations that they mocked and ignored an injured female inmate. The inmate crawled back to her cell for two hours before being hospitalized with broken bones. Inmates reported that prison staff called her names and didn't provide assistance because they believed she was faking. The Kansas Department of Corrections found that eight staff members violated agency policies and values. The facility will provide training to empower employees to challenge and report unethical behavior.
The Justice Department's inspector general found that systemic negligence, misconduct, and overall under-resourcing among federal prison staff and facilities contributed to the conditions that enabled financier Jeffrey Epstein to die by suicide in his prison cell. The report identified "numerous and serious" instances of misconduct among prison staff, ranging from indifference to potentially illegal acts, that gave Epstein the opportunity to kill himself. The report also pointed to widespread problems across the Bureau of Prison and presented federal detention facilities as understaffed and lacking in supervision.