Justice Newzzz
NY Dems call on Pres. Biden to intervene at Rikers Island; 10 Black female officers sue D.C. police alleging racial & sexual misconduct; whistleblower at Clayton Jail fired — your weekly Justice News
riker’s death toll: The ongoing crisis at Rikers Island continues as the DOC confirmed the second death of the week making this the 12th death of the year. NYC politicians and advocates are demanding the mayor and the governor intervene as conditions worsen at Rikers. AM New York Metro (Sept. 22, 2021)
fear of return: Kristie sold meth and was jailed as a result. Under the Cares Act, she was released and placed on home confinement. During the Trump administration, Care Act recipients are soon set to return to jail. Biden has yet to reverse to change this and prevent Kristie and thousands of ex-inmates returning to a life behind bars. The New Republic (Sept. 21, 2021)
class-action suit: A group of 10 former and current Black women officers filed a class-action lawsuit against D.C.’s police department alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and a habitual practice of bullying. DCist (Sept. 22, 2021)
facility mismanagement: Officers of Louisville Metro Department of Corrections describe conditions within the facility as a “dumpster fire.” There are increasing COVID-19 numbers, alarming staff shortages and much needed repair on equipment throughout the jail. WFPL (Sept. 21, 2021)
denial of release: A complaint was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court alleging the Arizona Department of Corrections is misinterpreting a law, which is causing a man to stay behind bars longer than he needs to be. The Arizona Republic (Sept. 20, 2021)
officer indicted: On Friday, D.C. prosecutors announced Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terence Sutton was indicted on local and federal charges relating to the 2020 police pursuit and crash, which led to the death of a 20-year-old Black man named Karon Hylton-Brown. DCist (Sept. 24, 2021)
whistleblower: A former Clayton County jail employee says he was fired after raising concerns about the operations within the facility. He claimed as soon as he pointed out the major violations he was let go. FOX 5 Atlanta (Sept. 23, 2021)
a call for Biden: New York City House Democrats called on President Joe Biden and the DOJ to intervene at Rikers Island as conditions worsen, staff-levels remain at an all-time low, unhygienic practices continue, spread of uncontained violence and increased COVID-19 transmissions continues. NY1 (Sept. 24, 2021)
transfer dispute: The Cook County sheriff’s office and state prison officials are the best way to transfer detainees given the heightened COVID-19 concerns. Injustice Watch (Sept. 23, 2021)
mental health in jails: Santa Clara County acknowledged that there is a mental health crisis within its jails. Sheriff Laurie Smith aims to do something about it by creating a plan where the mentally ill will no longer filter through the jails but rather transition into mental health facilities. San José Spotlight (Sept. 22, 2021)
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