IOWA CITY, Iowa—Rasberry Williams, 67 is being given a chance at freedom after serving 38 years of a life sentence for killing his neighbor. In a rare move, Gov. Terry Branstad commuted his sentence because of an “extraordinary record” behind bars and the support the victim’s family, a prosecutor, prison officials, and fellow prisoners, according to The Associated Press.
ARIZONA—Education classes are mandatory in the state’s prison system, report state officials. All 12 of the state’s prisons will be using computer software created to teach adult learners how to improve their basic reading skills.
FRANKLIN, N.H.—Prisoners are showing their furniture-making skills in a new gallery, named Corrections Creations. The exhibit features solid wood furniture, baskets, woodwork and paintings titled Behind the Walls Craft Exhibition. The prisoners pay for their wood, tools, and other supplies.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—One of the first acts Republican Gov. Rick Scott did after taking office in 2011 was to undo the automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent ex-offenders, according to The Associated Press. As a result, the restoration of voting rights for former felons have slowed significantly, compared to previous years.
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal judge ruled limiting prisoners’ mail to postcards is unconstitutional. The ruling may affect jails across the country, according to The Associated Press.
CHICAGO—Ten youngsters awaiting trial in county jail on charges ranging from dealing drugs to murder participated in a concert with six orchestra members of The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, reports The Associated Press. The concert feature compositions written by the youngsters in collaboration with the professionals.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Andrew J. Johnson, 63 was the first person in the state to have the chance to use DNA testing to prove he is innocent of raping a woman 23 years ago. The DNA matched the victim’s fiance at the time.
INDINANAPOLIS — The state Legislature has approved new sentencing laws that would send fewer nonviolent offenders to prison. The changes are scheduled to take affect July 2014.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Ronnie Treadgill, 40 was executed for the 2001 carjacking and killing of a teenager, reports The Associated Press. Treadgill’s exection was the third on this year. The fourth person executed in Texas this year was Richard Cobb, 29. Nearly 11 years ago, Cobb fatally shot Kenneth Vandever in the course of a convenience store robbery. At least 11 other prisoners are scheduled for execution in the coming months.
DETROIT — A federal lawsuit filed by four prisoners claim the food the state’s prisons offer during the month of Ramadan does not meet the typical number of calories and aren’t prepared in accordance to Islamic law, reports The Associated Press.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Kuntrell Jackson was sentence to life in prison without parole when he was 14 years old. Jackson may have his sentenced shortened because the state’s highest court ruled he deserves a new sentencing hearing in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year overturning mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles.
ALBANY, N.Y. — The state’s highest court ruled parents retain child visitation rights while imprisoned, reports The Associated Press. The case was brought when prisoner Shawn Granger was denied visits with his 4-year old son by the child’s mother. The court said parental visits are in the child’s best interest.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Daniel Gristwood, 46 was awarded $5.5 million in damages from the state for spending nine years in prison for an attempted murder he did not commit, reports The Associated Press. Gristwood claimed the imprisonment gave him post-traumatic stress disorder and interrupted his bond with his children.
LUCASVILLE, Ohio — Steve Smith, 46 was put to death for the September 1998 killing of a 6-month-old as he raped her, reports The Associated Press. Smith was the 51st person executed in the state since it resumed executions in 1999. There are 8 more executions scheduled from November through mid-2015 in the state.
URBANA, Ill. — Prosecutors will not oppose Andre Davis’ petition to declare him innocent of a 1980 murder, reports The Associate Press. Davis spent 30 years in prison before DNA was used to show he did not rape and kill a 3-year-old girl. In another matter Alan Beaman was granted an innocence petition for a 1993 murder. Beaman’s conviction was reversed after he spent 13 years in prison.
