Pregnant women face heart-wrenching consequences when they are incarcerated: not only must they give birth under harsh conditions, but then, most likely, they will be forced to surrender their newborn into the hands of others. Prison nurseries offer some of these women a chance to keep their babies with them, but is that always in the child’s best interest? “Incarcerating babies may strike many as unconscionable,” child welfare advocate Naomi Schaefer Riley said recently in a National Affairs article. “We must grapple with the ethical … [Read more...] about Prison nurseries: incarcerating newborns with their mothers
Health Care
Alabama prison failed to identify suicidal inmates
An investigation has been launched into suicides by Alabama prisoners, NPR reported. “The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has the highest suicide rate in the nation, with most such deaths occurring in solitary confinement and solitary-like units,” according to a case summary in the legal fight. The lawsuit was filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. There have been over 200 suicide attempts requiring hospitalization between the filling of the case and January 2019, NPR … [Read more...] about Alabama prison failed to identify suicidal inmates
Louisiana prisoner denied life saving medical treatment
Three Louisiana prisoners are suing the state, claiming inmates have been denied life-saving drugs be- cause of cost, The Advocate reports. They contend the Hepatitis C medication is 95 per- cent effective in curing the virus, but multiple prisoners died before inmates were treated with the drug in 2016. The drug originally cost upwards of $100,000 when approved in 2014, The Advocate reported Feb. 9. The price has since dipped to about $10,000. “We’ve never refused medical treatment or care because of cost,” said prisons secretary … [Read more...] about Louisiana prisoner denied life saving medical treatment
Hygiene products more readily available for incarcerated woman
Department of Health seal Female hygiene products are becoming more avail- able to incarcerated women, thanks to what is called “the menstrual equality movement,” according to corrections.com. The new policy for federal prisons was adopted in 2017. It requires all federal prisons to provide free Tampons and other hygiene products to female prisoners. A bill in Congress to apply the change to all states failed, the story reported. “It’s all part of what is called the menstrual equity movement,” said Chris Tricozzi, vice president of … [Read more...] about Hygiene products more readily available for incarcerated woman
Santa Clara jails to improve conditions after lawsuit
Santa Clara County has agreed to improve jail conditions for disabled prisoners. The action came in response to a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Advocates, Prison Legal News reports. “It’s important that persons with disabilities have the accommodations that they need to function safely in a jail setting,” said DRA staff attorney Michelle Iorio in a press release. “We are glad that Santa Clara County will make the changes necessary to ensure that programs and facilities at the Jails are more accessible for inmates with mobility … [Read more...] about Santa Clara jails to improve conditions after lawsuit
More than 4,000 mentally ill prisoners held in isolation
More than 4,000 prisoners diagnosed with mental illness throughout the country are being held in solitary lock-up, according to The Guardian. Confinement intensifies their illness. Despite U.S. prisons having this knowledge, this practice continues, the article said. “This is tragic,” said Judith Resnik, a professor of law at Yale University. She is the director of the Arthur Liman Center. “Solitary confinement is a disabling setting that is harmful for human health and safety. It can do harm for people who are mentally OK and inflict … [Read more...] about More than 4,000 mentally ill prisoners held in isolation
Elderly prisoners in India granted early parole
Some elderly prisoners in India may be granted early parole because of major overcrowding, according to an article in Hindustan Times. Prisons in the state of Uttar Pradesh currently hold 60,504 prisoners, compared to against a designed capacity of 35,870, the article reported. The state government is implementing measures to evaluate whether certain elderly inmates serving life sentences should be released on the grounds that they no longer pose a threat to society. “May God grant me release from the world,” said a 92-year-old … [Read more...] about Elderly prisoners in India granted early parole
Options program graduates men from San Quentin’s reception center
Options facilitators (in-blue), Kathy Narasaki, Tom Gorham and reception graduates holding their certificates Fermin Fernandez says he used meth for 41 years starting when he was 13. “I thanked the officer for arresting me. I wanted to quit but couldn’t just quit.” In January, Fernandez was a member of the first Reception Center graduation class of the Options Recovery Services addiction initiative. In September 2018, the Options program took its incarcerated counselors where none had ever gone before – the Reception Center – to help men … [Read more...] about Options program graduates men from San Quentin’s reception center
San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
A settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth A lawsuit alleging retaliation against a San Quentin psychiatrist who warned of inadequate mental health care in the prison has led to a settlement of $822,000 for the plaintiff, Dr. Christopher Wadsworth, reports the Sacramento Bee. The fast-track career of Dr. Wadsworth, the former Chief Psychiatrist at SQ, was damaged after he informed state officials that reducing beds for the acutely mentally ill would consist of actions that, according to an email … [Read more...] about San Quentin settles lawsuit with psychiatrist over mental health care
RJ forum discusses the topic of intellectual disabilities and healing
Mrs. Leigh Ann Davis flew in from Texas to speak at a Restorative Justice (RJ) symposium at San Quentin on the topic of supporting people with intellectual disabilities. She also stressed the importance of overcoming shame and speaking out against abuse as paths to healing. “Shame is a huge issue we are not dealing with,” Davis said. “Shame is the prison and we have to find our way out.” Davis is the director of criminal justice initiatives for The ARC, an organization that works to help people with disabilities. The ARC has 630 chapters … [Read more...] about RJ forum discusses the topic of intellectual disabilities and healing