Latest Prisons News

Illinois scraps plan for building migrant winter camp due to toxic soil risk

Dec. 05, 2023 18:23 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration announced Tuesday that it is scrapping plans for a temporary winter camp for migrants in Chicago, citing the risk of contaminants at the former industrial site. The setback comes as Chicago struggles to house more than 24,000...

St. Louis prosecutor who replaced progressive says he's 'enforcing the laws' in first 6 months

Dec. 05, 2023 15:58 PM EST

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Prosecution of violent crime in St. Louis is rising sharply in the six months since an embattled progressive prosecutor was replaced by an appointed circuit attorney, according to the prosecutor's office. Gabe Gore said Tuesday that his office has prosecuted 45%...

Justice Department, jail reach settlement that ensures inmates' rights to opioid medications

Dec. 05, 2023 12:24 PM EST

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Inmates at an eastern Kentucky jail are guaranteed access to medication for opioid use disorder under a settlement between the U.S. Justice Department and the Big Sandy Regional Jail Authority, U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier announced. The Americans with...

Judges reject call for near ban on Hague prison visits for 3 former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters

Dec. 04, 2023 12:54 PM EST

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — International judges on Monday rejected a demand by prosecutors for a nearly complete ban on prison visits for three former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders on trial at The Hague for war crimes. Kosovo ex-President Hashim Thaci, former parliamentary Speaker...

Deputy on traffic stop in Maine escapes injury when cruiser hit by drunken driver

Dec. 03, 2023 15:41 PM EST

NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine (AP) — A sheriff's deputy in Maine narrowly escaped injury when a drunken driver crashed into his cruiser while conducting a late-night traffic stop, officials said Sunday. Deputy Josiah Cushman was outside his vehicle Saturday night during the traffic stop in...

Bullets scattered on Rhode Island roadway after wild pursuit of vehicle laden with ammo

Dec. 03, 2023 11:18 AM EST

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Law enforcement officials brought more than 100 counts against a Florida motorist accused of firing shots at a residence before leading officers on a wild pursuit in which two cruisers crashed into a house and several other vehicles were damaged, officials said. ...

Former prep school teacher going back to prison for incident as camp counselor

Dec. 02, 2023 17:36 PM EST

OSSIPPEE, N.H. (AP) — A former prep school teacher who served 11 months for sexually abusing two students in Pennsylvania is going back to prison for an earlier incident when he was a camp counselor in New Hampshire. Matthew Scavitto, 39, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, was...

West Virginia prison inmate indicted on murder charge in missing daughter's death

Dec. 02, 2023 10:16 AM EST

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia prison inmate whose infant daughter has been missing for more than two years has been indicted on murder and other charges, authorities said. A grand jury in Cabell County indicted Shannon Patrick Overstreet on charges of murder; death of a...

Inmate who stabbed Derek Chauvin 22 times is charged with attempted murder, prosecutors say

Dec. 01, 2023 20:43 PM EST

Derek Chauvin was stabbed in prison 22 times by a former gang leader and one-time FBI informant who told investigators he targeted the ex-Minneapolis police officer because of his notoriety for killing George Floyd, federal prosecutors said Friday. John Turscak was charged with...

Former Memphis officer charged in Tyre Nichols' death had some violations in prior prison guard job

Dec. 01, 2023 19:26 PM EST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Before a former Memphis Police officer joined in a deadly beating on Tyre Nichols, prompting murder charges against him and four colleagues, Demetrius Haley incurred some policy violations in a prior prison guard job and faced accusations of excessive force that his...