1. Sacramento (The Mercury News) – The Rico trial has exposed flaws on both sides of the case. The dual prong case of Ronald “Renegade” Yandell accusing state and federal officials of retaliation stemming from his political activism including a massive hunger strike to end solitary confinement. Witnesses included low-level drug couriers, also the head of California prisons, Jeffrey Macomber who was a subpoenaed defense witness who testified about warnings received by authorities about an impending murder.
2. Colorado (Colorado Newsline) – New bills signed into law would change the criminal justice system including allowing name changes and measuring the success of the criminal justice system. SB24-29 allows a group of community members and state agencies to measures housing, education, social support, risk-reduction among others and provide a report to legislative
3. Oklahoma (Oklahoma Watch) – A new bill would roll back criminal justice reform measures by turning current misdemeanor crimes into felony charges. SB145 will lower the dollar amount of theft from $1,000 to $500. Critics of the bill say the felony theft threshold could cause the state̕s prison population to increase. “We should focus on the organizational aspect of people stealing large quantities and hold it for resale, not single moms stealing diapers and things like that,” said Michael Olson, the policy counsel for Oklahoma for Criminal Justice Reform.4) COLORADO NEWSLINE “Here̕s what the Colorado Legislature did for criminal justice reform during 2024 session” Lindsey Toomer, May 12, 2024.
4. Mississippi (Mississippi Today) – People awaiting mental illness or substance abuse treatment are being jailed even without being charged with a crime. HB1640 would allow those with civil commitments to be held for 48 hours if they are actively violent. “This new process puts the person first. It connects someone in need of mental health services with a mental health professionals the first step in the process,” said Adam Moore who is a spokesperson for the Department of Mental Health.
5. West Virginia (The Intelligencer) – Corrections Training Foundation in West Virginia held its week long training for law enforcement and organizations that manage detention facilities. The training consisted of 50 vendors and around 1,000 trainees. “The training is designed to improve the work process inside those prisons, jails and any kind of riot situation,” said Terry Rusin, president of the West Virginia Corrections Training Foundation board. The report noted that the impact to the economy is an annual four to five million dollars.6.Philadelphia (Associated Press) – A family is suing the state of Philadelphia after the governor exonerated the youngest person to be sent to the electric chair in 1931. The 2022 exoneration of Alexander McClay Williams allows the state to pursue damages from the state, according to the report. “We are deeply disgusted by the behavior of the state, but it is emblematic of what we also have went through, so we came here today to stand up with the family and stand for what we see as our little brother,” said Dennis, who last month was awarded $16 million by a jury after spending 25 years on death row, the largest verdict shown to an exonerated person in Philadelphia history.
6. Philadelphia (Associated Press) – A family is suing the state of Philadelphia after the governor exonerated the youngest person to be sent to the electric chair in 1931. The 2022 exoneration of Alexander McClay Williams allows the state to pursue damages from the state, according to the report. “We are deeply disgusted by the behavior of the state, but it is emblematic of what we also have went through, so we came here today to stand up with the family and stand for what we see as our little brother,” said Dennis, who last month was awarded $16 million by a jury after spending 25 years on death row, the largest verdict shown to an exonerated person in Philadelphia history.
7. New York (New York Focus) – Lawmakers would like to pass an amendment so prosecutors can introduce sexual assault evidence from uncharged cases. The bill was protested by then senator and current president Joe Biden. “It is absolutely, positively the wrong thing to do. … It absolutely violates every basic tenet of our system,” said Biden. Majority Leader Michael Gianaris noted that the law is important. “It̕s important for survivors of sexual offenses to have the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
8. Massachusetts (USA Today Network) – Massachusetts will turn The Bay State Correctional Center into an emergency shelter for eligible families with children and pregnant women starting in mid- June. The program will run from six months to a year according to state officials. “The decision was made as part of its ongoing response to the number of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts,” said Norfolk officials. According to the report, the facility already has a cafeteria, gymnasium, large common room, and offices for administrative activities. State Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice noted the plan for the facility is to remove the fences and barbed wire, add a playground, and classrooms for teaching English language.
