Alabama lawmakers in March voted to authorize a method of execution that has never been used before—inert gas asphyxiation. Lawmakers say this alternative method is a more humane way to carry out capital punishment. It works by directing the inmate to breathe inert gas as opposed to oxygen. Examples of such gases include helium, methane and nitrogen. The Associated Press reported that inhaling nitrogen gas is “like dying on a plane that depressurizes in flight, swiftly killing all aboard.” Perhaps that’s why 51 of Alabama’s 180 death row … [Read more...] about Inert gas asphyxiation the new method of execution
Immigrant requests for asylum face four year backlog
President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement program is failing due to a four-year asylum hearing backlog, an opinion article in The Hill contends. It is the immigration enforcement program’s policy to deport undocumented im- migrants to their country of origin, unless they express a “credible fear” of returning. An asylum officer assigned to the claim determines whether “credible fear” is present in individual cases, said Nolan Rappaport, the article’s author. If the officer denies the claim, applicants can request an administrative … [Read more...] about Immigrant requests for asylum face four year backlog
Oklahoma has highest incarceration rate in U.S.
Oklahoma has passed Louisiana as the state with the highest incarceration rate in the country, a new study reports. Oklahoma’s incarceration rate is 1,079 per 100,000 population. Louisiana’s is 1,052 per 100,000, the Prison Policy Initiative study reported in May. The Associated Press story reported Oklahoma also incarcerates at a higher rate than all countries with a population of at least 500,000. Nonetheless, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation designed to reduce the state’s prison population, the AP reports. “The … [Read more...] about Oklahoma has highest incarceration rate in U.S.
Prosecutors accepting guilty pleas: no executions
It’s now been four years since a Georgia jury handed down a death sentence. In the majority of the capital punishment cases, prosecutors are allowing the alleged suspect to enter a guilty plea in exchange for a life-without-parole sentence, reported Bill Rankin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Many of Georgia’s district attorneys still strongly support capital punishment. According to state records, last year prosecutors announced they were seeking the death penalty in 26 cases. But, this year they have filed notices to seek death in … [Read more...] about Prosecutors accepting guilty pleas: no executions
Overworked Texas correctional officers adopted unsafe practices
Mentally exhausted correctional officers practiced unsafe work habits, which led to the murder of a correctional officer and inhumane treatment of inmates at Telford maximum-security prison in Texas. Understaffing forces the officers to cut corners and work too much overtime, according to sources of The Texas Tribune. The prison has the state’s highest rate of assaults on staff and following the murder, the number of vacant positions has skyrocketed. “Working those longer hours and having that safety aspect in the back of your mind that … [Read more...] about Overworked Texas correctional officers adopted unsafe practices
CALPIA’s offers pre-apprentice programs for female prisoners
The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) pre-apprentice program has graduated 70 women in the field of carpentry, construction labor, healthcare facilities maintenance and computer coding at the California Institution for Women (CIW), reported ABC 7. “64% of California’s jail population is awaiting trial or sentencing as of December 2016.” Most remain in pretrial custody because they cannot afford bail. Jail Profile Survey, http://www.bscc.ca.gov/ “It’s scary, thinking about going home, not knowing how you’re going to handle things. … [Read more...] about CALPIA’s offers pre-apprentice programs for female prisoners
Prison death a mystery after year-long investigation
One year and a transparent investigation later, the death of inmate James Leonard Acuna remains undetermined. Acuna’s decomposing body had been found in a cell he shared with another inmate at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, at least two days after he passed, reported Patch. “The fact [Acuna] made bad choices and was paying his debt to society doesn’t mean he should have been neglected,” said Sara Leslie, a volunteer for California Prison Focus, an inmates’ rights nonprofit. “We as a society should care because we are a civilized … [Read more...] about Prison death a mystery after year-long investigation
Mississippi’s approach to ‘making America safe again’
Jackson, Mississippi’s approach to making America safe again mandates that any conviction that involves possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime should result in a five-year enhancement of federal prison time. Project EJECT is the means by which U.S. Attorney Michael Hurst executed his plan to remove violent offenders from communities, reported the Jackson Free Press. “Today is a new day,” Hurst said. “The message to violent criminals in Jackson is simple: you break the law, you terrorize our neighborhoods and you will be ejected … [Read more...] about Mississippi’s approach to ‘making America safe again’
Indiana hires formerly incarcerated
More and more employers are hiring former inmates with the assistance of Indiana’s state and local government reported the Indianapolis Business Journal. “We [aim to] better prepare our offenders for opportunities in today’s economy with more high-demand critical training that they need to succeed once they are out,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in an interview with the Journal. One example of these efforts is Indianapolis’ HIRE program. The initiative started in 2012 with 300 employers and has since grown to nearly 1,140 businesses, with a 97 … [Read more...] about Indiana hires formerly incarcerated
Female correctional officers win lawsuit for hostile work environment
Female correctional officers have won a $20 million settlement of a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and a hostile work environment in federal prisons. The settlement also includes 20 pages of procedural changes to improve employee safety, including improved training about sexual harassment, better monitoring for processing incident reports, and removing front pockets from inmate clothing to eliminate hidden masturbating. The settlement resulted after a judge ruled in 2016 in favor of the lawsuit filed by a collective of women working at … [Read more...] about Female correctional officers win lawsuit for hostile work environment