1. California (The Orange County Register) – Assembly Bill 247 could provide raises to incarcerated firefighters. CDCR officials reported that incarcerated firefighters work “around the clock cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow the fire spread,” the report said. Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, D-Glendale, said on Instagram that “these California inmates are risking their lives, working long hours in dangerous conditions, while being paid as little as $10.24 a day.” Pérez said.
2. Texas (The Texas Tribune) – President Donald J. Trump is using a 1798 Alien Enemies Act to assist the launch of his mass deportation program. In 2023, Texas passed Senate Bill 4, making it a crime to enter the country illegally. However, SB 4 is on hold pending litigation. President Trump has said he signed the Laken Riley Act, which would make crimes like shoplifting and larceny deportable.
3. Minnesota (The Minnesota Star Tribune) – A new Federal oversight plan has been approved between the Department of Justice and the Minneapolis Police Department to revamp the training, policies, and discipline in the police department to address its systemic problems. “It was important that we get it right. We owe that to people here in Minneapolis. This was not a race to the finish line,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
4. Alabama (Montgomery Community Media) – A new report from the Montgomery County Office of Legislative Over-site found that housing providers were violating the Housing Justice Act. The OLO suggested that people with low level crime convictions be given a chance to obtain rental housing. However, according to the OLO, staff shortages “have likely had an adverse impact on effective enforcement of fair housing laws.”
5. Florida (Bloomberg) – US Attorney General Pam Bondi has shifted her outlook on criminal justice reform. Prior to her new position, Bondi rarely gave second chances to formerly incarcerated voters. “There are many conveniences in shifting her tone around the clemency process. It is a process that benefits Trump and benefits his friends who have broken the law,” said Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, a voting rights organization.
6. Virginia (Rocktown Now) – Danville Community College started a new partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections. The partnership will expand the number of programs offered at Green Rock Correctional Center and ensure that the incarcerated students have an opportunity to complete their educational goals. “…We are creating pathways to meaningful employment and reducing recidivism by equipping students with industry-recognized credentials …,” said Melissa Mann, Dean of Career & Technical Education at the college.
7. South Carolina (The New York Times) – A federal investigation revealed a high number of violence, overdoses, sexual assaults, and deaths in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The DOJ reported that the facility failed to protect the constitutional rights of the inmates. Leonardo Brown, the county’s administrator for the facility disagreed, saying that since making significant changes and renovations, weapon assaults are down 82% in the facility.
8. North Carolina (Associated Press) – Outgoing Governor Roy Cooper commuted 15 death sentences to life without the possibility of parole a week before leaving office. “After thorough review, reflection, and prayer, I concluded that the death sentence imposed on these 15 people should be commuted, while ensuring they will spend the rest of their lives in prison,” Cooper said. Chantal Stevens, executive director of American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina applauded Cooper’s action.
9. New Jersey (Politico) – Just weeks after President Biden’s clemency act, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy pardoned 33 people and commuted the sentences of three women convicted of murder in his first clemency act since taking office seven years ago. “Over the course of their lives, each one of these women has suffered immense hardship,” said Murphy. The governor has enacted several criminal justice initiatives during his tenure, like expanding expungment and restoring voting rights to people on parole and probation.
10. New York (Associated Press) – The son of Marcy Correctional Facility inmate Robert L. Brooks claims in a federal lawsuit that the guards “systematically and casually beat him to death.” A watchdog group reported staff abuse after interviewing the residents in October 2022. Governor Kath Hochul has ordered officials to start the process to fire those involved in the attack.
