Latest Prisons News
The Latest: California virus spread lower than other states
LOS ANGELES — California is seeing lower coronavirus transmission than other U.S. states as virus cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19 decline following a summer surge. The state is currently the only one experiencing “substantial” coronavirus transmission, the...
Rikers Island should close, say 4 House Democrats from NY
NEW YORK (AP) — Four members of Congress from New York demanded the release of inmates and closure of New York City's troubled Rikers Island jail complex after another inmate was reported dead at the facility. Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler,...
Ivey promotes Alabama prison plan ahead of special session
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday blamed crumbling infrastructure for the state’s prison problems as she prepares to call lawmakers back to Montgomery for a special session on prison construction. “The main issue contributing to these...
Fugitive from southeast Oklahoma state prison is captured
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An escapee from a southeastern Oklahoma state prison is back in custody, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Corrections. Rodney Williams, 38, was captured without incident Monday night in Oklahoma City, about 170 miles (274 kilometers)...
Redistricting panel pares plan on where to count inmates
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's five-member panel redrawing the boundaries of state legislative districts decided Tuesday to pare back a new policy to count state prison inmates in their home districts, now limiting it to those whose sentences expire in under 10 years. ...
Mississippi takes management of prison from private company
HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Department of Corrections is taking over operation of Marshall County Correctional Facility, a prison that has been privately run since it opened 25 years ago. Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain said Management & Training...
Another inmate dies at NYC's troubled Rikers Island jail
NEW YORK (AP) — An inmate died at New York City's Rikers Island jail complex, bringing the troubled facility's death toll to 11 this year, authorities said. Isaabdul Karim, 42, died at a jail infirmary just before 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Correction said in a...
Prosecutor: Georgia inmate plotted escape that left 2 dead
EATONTON, Ga. (AP) — The trial of Georgia inmate facing the death penalty for the slayings of two prison guards opened Monday with a prosecutor saying the inmate was the mastermind of a deadly escape plan, while a defense attorney insisted his client had no clue a fellow prisoner would kill...
Class action for lawsuit claiming abuse at a Lousiana prison
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal lawsuit in which several inmates at a north Louisiana state prison allege harsh treatment of the mentally ill was granted class action status on Monday by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote's decision means the criminal...
Sheriff: Search is on for 2 inmates after jail break
POPLARVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Law officers are searching for two inmates who remain on the loose after 4 men escaped from jail, a sheriff in south Mississippi said. The jail break happened in the early morning hours Sunday at the Lenoir-Rowell Criminal Justice Center in...
