Justice Newzzz
federal lawsuit filed by widow whose husband died in police shooting; report finds that conditions at Rikers Island substantially worsened; the country’s largest human-trafficking operation shutdown
ICYMI: In the last decade, the number of corrections officers working across Georgia's DOC has dropped by over 35%, but the state prison population has remained stagnant. This has prompted the DOJ to investigate Georgia's chronic understaffing in its prisons. NPR (Dec. 3, 2021)
shot after compliance: It only took four seconds for officers to fire. A federal lawsuit filed by the wife of Chris Craven who was shot and killed by Mooresville police in 2020 alleges the actions were not only excessive, but illegal. The Charlotte Observer (Dec. 6, 2021)
death settlement: The Georgia family of a transgender woman, whose signs of suicide were ignored has reached at $2.2 million settlement with the state. Her mother is calling the settlement blood money and calls for a criminal investigation into the death of her daughter. CNN (Dec. 6, 2021)
worsened conditions: The federal monitor responsible for overseeing Rikers Island has reported that “conditions have progressively and substantially worsened.” The report outlines poor management, record number of suicides and fights, and inadequate facilities. WCBS-TV (Dec. 7, 2021)
painkiller scheme: An ex-Greensburg doctor who pleaded guilty to health care fraud and illegally prescribing painkillers has been sentenced to five years in prison. On top of prison time, he must pay more than $8 million in restitution and forfeit his medical license. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Dec. 7, 2021)
jail size disputes: There has been a push by New Orleans criminal justice advocates to “debunk” Sheriff Gusman’s attempts to steal credit for reform victories. They claim the sheriff has taken credit for reducing the jail population but a downsize would have happened regardless of him. The Lens (Dec. 8, 2021)
exchange of racism and homophobia: The Torrance police department found racist and homophobic text messages between over a dozen current and former Torrance police officers and recruits. Several of the officers have used serious or deadly force against Black and Latino men, which jeopardizes hundreds of cases. L.A. Times (Dec. 8, 2021)
operation shutdown: The country’s largest human-trafficking and visa fraud investigations has been dismantled. Two dozen people have been indicted in Georgia for their involvement in an illegal enterprise comparable to “modern-day slavery.” The ring operators smuggled and forced the labor of Mexican and Central American immigrants. NBC News (Dec. 9, 2021)
officer relieved of powers: An off-duty Chicago police officer has been arrested for his alleged connection to a woman who was found shot to death inside her home. It has been announced the officer has been relieved of his police powers and an investigation is underway. NBC Chicago (Dec. 10, 2021)
15th custody death: Malcolm Boatwright, 28, has died after experiencing a “medical issue” on Rikers Island, which marks the 15th NYC jail fatality this year. This also makes this year the deadliest in New York City jails since the year 2016. Gothamist (Dec. 10, 2021)
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