Justice Newzzz
new report exposes chronic mishandling of Baltimore police now in federal prison; murders are spiking, police solving them at a historic low; the death of a Native woman in NM in police custody
failing: Despite a spike in homicides in 2020, the solving of murder cases is at a historic low. About 1 of every 2 murders was solved nationwide last year. The Marshall Project (Jan. 12, 2022)
off the job: Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett joined in calling for the deficient U.S. sentencing commission to resume functioning after years of decisions in limbo. Bloomberg Law (Jan. 10, 2022)
protest: Hundreds go on hunger strike to protest the conditions in Rikers jail as a covid quarantine continues. New York Times (Jan. 17, 2022)
witness: Court order that five California prisons must outfit there guards with body cameras after a suit alleged prison officials neglected inmate safety needs. Body cameras are hardly the perfect solution they are purported to be. The Davis Vanguard (Jan. 10, 2022 )
‘no heroes here’: A new report lays out how the Baltimore police department repeatedly failed to address misconduct complaints with officers who are now serving federal prison time. The 500 page report (costing tax payers $4.47 million) uncovered dozens of previously unknown allegations of corruption and misconduct against officers implicated in the case. It showed the vast majority of complaints were discarded with little investigation. Baltimore Sun (Jan. 13, 2022)
cradle behind bars: Missouri considers a prison nursery to keep mothers with their newborns for up to 18 months while the moms are incarcerated. Kansas City Star (Jan. 13, 2022)
slow on reform: A 2018 California law was supposed to wipe the record clean for thousands convicted of marijuana charges. At least 34,000 marijuana records have not been processed, leaving thousands with felonies and misdemeanors still on their records. LA Times (Jan. 13, 2022)
shady bussiness: A Texas Sherriff is accused of repeatedly ordering deputies to vehicles and cash during traffic stops from undocumented immigrants whether they were not stopped for an alleged crime or not. Washington Post (Jan. 11, 2022)
sick kids: Covid cases tripled in a week in California juvenile facilities with about 20% of youth testing positive for the virus. Cal Matters (Jan. 12, 2022)
overrun: With over 1,000 staff members and 1,600 inmates testing positive for covid the Illinois Department of Corrections announced last week that it will pause intake from country jails. Northern Public Radio (Jan. 13, 2022)
punished by death: A ticket for littering led to the death of a Native woman without a home in New Mexico. She’d be one of eight deaths in five-months to die in the local detention center, and a her story shows the deadly impact of police, jails and medical providers on homeless people. The Nation (Jan. 10, 2022)
Community Board
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some Florida Prison Guards Openly Involved with White Terrorist Organizations
COVID-19 resources: State policy changes. News. Bureau of Prisons updates. State court changes. Prison holistic self care and protection. Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook.
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