Family of deceased raise questions about cause of death in legal action against prison administrators Everett Palmer Jr. died in custody from injuries that York County Prison in Pennsylvania deemed were self-inflicted, reported The Washington Post. “There was so much mystery and unanswered questions in a way that violates every policy and procedure the state has,” said Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney representing the family. Palmer, a Black man, was arrested in Pennsylvania in 2016 for driving while under the influence (DUI) … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania under scrutiny after prisoner dies in custody
New York considers elderly parole law inmates 55 and over may see relief
There is new legislation being introduced in Albany, NY, that would allow inmates that are 55 years of age to be eligible for parole after serving 15 consecutive years, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. This measure was introduced to the Senate by Brad Hoylman, a Democrat representing Manhattan. The measure however doesn’t mandate the release of the prisoner. Judith Clark is a 69-year- old who served more than 37 years for her role in a 1981 Rockland County armored truck robbery. During the commission of the robbery two … [Read more...] about New York considers elderly parole law inmates 55 and over may see relief
Fear of the outdoors – one result of long term solitary
Frank De Palma spent more than 40 years of his life inside Nevada’s state prisons for second-degree murder, grand larceny, battery, and attempted murder. Twenty-two of those years were spent in solitary confinement, where he developed acute agoraphobia as a result of the prolonged time alone, reports The Marshall Project. While serving time at Ely Maximum Security Prison, De Palma was sent to solitary for his own protection. While there, he assaulted a prison guard, so he was kept there. During his confinement in solitary, De Palma slowly … [Read more...] about Fear of the outdoors – one result of long term solitary
Princeton students support ex-cons getting higher education
“Formerly incarcerated applicants are among the most vulnerable, and we should treat them with respect, if not admiration” Princeton University has taken a stance against a student movement called “Ban the Box.” The “box” refers to a section of the college admissions application that inquires about a prospective student’s criminal history. Applicants with criminal histories are very likely to be rejected from academic institutions. Students argue that by allowing criminal histories to weigh into admissions decisions, the Princeton … [Read more...] about Princeton students support ex-cons getting higher education
Significant improvements in prisoner health care expected from streamlining and automating CDCR medical data system
California Correctional Healthcare Services staff The prestigious HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence was given to the California Correctional Healthcare Services for developing an automated risk classification system in an effort to improve care and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, according to a Healthcare IT News article. In past years, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation relied on paper as a basis for maintaining and storing inmate patient records—a system that was “unwieldy” and prone to losing papers. As … [Read more...] about Significant improvements in prisoner health care expected from streamlining and automating CDCR medical data system
Some prisoners suffer another form of death penalty
An alarming number, 80 prisoners, died in Texas jails in a nine month period between Oct. 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics, in an article published by Prison Legal News. The Texas Commission of Jail Standards (TCJS) is an agency that sets the standards for Texas jails to follow. They perform annual inspections of local jails and prisons. TCJS is also responsible for investigating the deaths in the jails and prisons. “We shouldn’t look to the TCJS to do what they were never intended to do. We’re … [Read more...] about Some prisoners suffer another form of death penalty
Virginia believes women’s sanitary products pose a threat to prisons
Female visitors entering Virginia State Prison have been forced to remove certain feminine products to visit their family member or friend, according to the Capitol News Service. But under the new House Bill 1884, which is awaiting approval in the House of Delegates, the Virginia Department of Corrections would have to modify the policy for visitors using menstrual products. The current policy is in place to avoid the smuggling of contraband into Department of Corrections facilities. “If someone chooses to visit a Virginia Department of … [Read more...] about Virginia believes women’s sanitary products pose a threat to prisons
California Death Row prisoner qualifies under new felony murder rule
Demetrius Howard is on California’s Death Row for a crime in which he did not kill anyone. He was never accused of firing a shot, but based on California’s felony murder rule then in effect, he was eligible for a death sentence due to his participation in the crime, reported The Appeal. The felony murder rule was revised in 2018 so that participants in a crime do not face a death penalty unless they directly killed, or encouraged the killing, or otherwise “acted with reckless indifference to human life” when commit- ting their crime. … [Read more...] about California Death Row prisoner qualifies under new felony murder rule
A civil liberties debate over NY prison’s biometric voice system
There are differing opinions of whether the new biometric voice recognition system put in place at New York Department of Corrections is a violation of prisoners’ rights and civil liberties, according to Popular Mechanics. “Once the data exists, and it becomes an accepted part of what’s happening, it’s very hard to protect or limit its use in the future,” said Jerome Greco, a digital forensics attorney at New York’s Legal Aid Society. “If you have a family member convicted of a crime, yet you haven’t been, why are you now having your … [Read more...] about A civil liberties debate over NY prison’s biometric voice system
Tourists unknowingly ask women prisoners for help
Inmates, at a women’s prison in Raleigh North Carolina do an unusual job, according to an article in USA Today. They spend their days answering an 800 call line. Inmates responding to calls on the 800-VISITNC phone line will answer questions about whitewater rafting, fairs, ski slopes, festivals, Civil War sites and wineries in the state’s 100 counties. The program was created in 1980, when tourism calls were handled by state employees or an automated service. Through the program, inmates learn telemarketing skills and callers can talk … [Read more...] about Tourists unknowingly ask women prisoners for help