A group of legislators at the Capitol in Pierre endorsed a measure on Friday morning, indicating that the state would cover inmate legal defense fees. This involves incarcerated individuals whose crimes were committed within prison walls.

With a unanimous 13-0 vote, the House State Affairs Committee moved House Bill 1039 to the budget committee for further consideration.

Rep. Ernie Otten, R-Tea, proposed the bill, but due to a family emergency, he couldn’t testify. Fort Pierre House Majority Leader Will Mortenson argued in favor of the bill, asserting that counties should not bear inmate legal defense fees for prison-related crimes. Mortenson emphasized that the state operates prisons, while counties oversee jails, primarily housing defendants awaiting prosecution.

Currently, South Dakota inmates, like all citizens, are constitutionally entitled to legal representation if they can’t afford an attorney. Counties bear the responsibility for these legal bills.

Mortenson pointed out that inmates incurring such bills often have minimal ties to the counties where their prisons are situated. Additionally, the state does not contribute to counties’ primary funding sources as it doesn’t pay property taxes on its prison facilities.

To emphasize this, Mortenson argued that the state, which is responsible for prosecuting prison crimes through the Attorney General’s Office, should also bear the burden of defending these inmates.

 

Counties’ Burden: Defending inmates’ costs

Supporting the measure, Eric Erickson, representing the South Dakota Association of County Officials, testified that the cost of defending prison crimes fluctuates significantly annually, occasionally reaching levels that strain budgets.

Erickson recounted a recent case involving a drug ring at Mike Durfee State Prison in Bon Homme County, estimating possible legal fees between $2 million and $3 million, significantly affecting the county’s $5 million annual budget.

Erickson clarified that the association’s membership provided the potential cost figure, and he remains unaware of the final expenses incurred to defend the inmates.

The Yankton Press & Dakotan reported on the 2018 incident, emphasizing that the initially high cost estimates were expected to decrease, considering not all defendants would proceed to trial.

The report also pointed out that county commissioners had requested then-Department of Corrections Secretary Denny Kaemingk to cover the expenses for defending the 20 inmates eligible for county-paid attorneys, a request the DOC declined.

 

County budget challenges and solutions

Although costly multi-defendant cases like this may not occur frequently, the challenge of public defense costs has been a longstanding concern for county commissioners. The concept for HB 1039 originated partly from discussions addressing county budget challenges held during the summer and fall of the previous year.

In response to these discussions and the efforts of an indigent defense task force, the state Unified Judicial System is now advocating for the establishment of a state-level public defender’s office to alleviate the burden of indigent defense on counties.

Mortenson emphasized that the establishment of a new men’s prison in Lincoln County brings increased attention to the issue of counties covering the expenses for defending inmates, noting that Lincoln County is not the sole location with a prison being situated there.

A new prison is also slated for Pennington County, where the state initiated the construction of a new women’s prison last year, adding to the existing minimum-security men’s unit in that county.

 

Unknown costs and state’s burden

Testifying against the bill, Brittni Skipper from the Department of Corrections argued that shifting costs when their amounts are uncertain would be irresponsible. She pointed out that counties with state prison facilities in Minnehaha, Hughes, Yankton, Pennington, and Bon Homme lack reliable statistics on the expenses incurred for defending inmate defendants.

Skipper also mentioned that the Department of Corrections supports the establishment of a statewide public defender’s office. However, she clarified that this office would handle legal fees for criminal appeals, not cover the defense costs for individuals during the criminal cases that might lead to appeals.

In response, lawmakers decided to forward the bill to the House Appropriations Committee. Mortenson, in reply to Skipper’s testimony, highlighted that the costs are both unknown and “unknowable.” He stated that it is impossible for counties or the state to predict the number and severity of crimes that might occur in prison each year.

Representative Gary Cammack, R-Union Center, proposed sending the bill to appropriators for further study. Cammack argued that shifting these unknowable costs would place the state, with significantly greater financial resources, in the same position counties have been grappling with for a century.

 

Source: https://www.capjournal.com/news/lawmakers-advance-plan-to-put-prison-legal-defense-costs-on-state-ledger/article_8b3d26a8-b3c4-11ee-8e71-8f23cae4876c.html

On Monday, the Montana Department of Corrections leaders announced their plans to monitor heating equipment at Montana correctional facilities for an additional day.

The facilities are addressing challenges posed by sub-zero temperatures.

Following a boiler malfunction at Montana State Prison (MSP) in Deer Lodge on Friday night, the Department established an “Incident Command System.” Brian Gootkin, the Director of the Department of Corrections (DOC), stated in a press release on Monday that the team had been actively addressing the situation around the clock.

Gootkin reported they were happy that no new major heating issues had affected inmates in the past 24 hours, and they keep addressing issues as they arise.

According to DOC leaders, one of the two boilers at MSP’s Work Reentry Center malfunctioned, resulting in a temperature drop in a building accommodating approximately 180 out of the prison’s 1,500 inmates. Additionally, the DOC shared that a boiler at the Pine Hills Correctional Facility in Miles City on Saturday night, accommodating approximately 80 adult inmates and 30 juveniles, experienced a failure.

In both cases, DOC leaders swiftly fixed the boilers, providing extra blankets to inmates in need and situating portable heaters in common areas.

Gootkin expressed sincere gratitude to members of the Montana Department of Corrections team who not only handled weather-related emergencies in recent days but also carried out their regular duties in these challenging conditions.

Acknowledging the statewide impact of extreme temperatures, Gootkin emphasized the dedication of the staff and community partners in ensuring the safety and security of everyone in Montana correctional facilities.

With an anticipated rise in temperatures above zero on Tuesday, the department outlined plans to conclude the Incident Command System unless unforeseen issues arise.

Several reports reached MTN, a news outlet, from individuals stating that family members at MSP had communicated ongoing heating issues in some areas of the prison post-boiler repair.

A department spokesperson informed the news outlet of a minor heating system issue in one of the higher-security “High Side” units on Monday morning, which was promptly resolved. The department remains vigilant about addressing emerging issues as they arise.

 

Source: https://www.ktvh.com/news/montana-department-of-corrections-still-monitoring-heating-systems-at-its-facilities

Related story: https://inmate-lookup.org/blog/montana-state-prison-heating-crisis-resolved-after-five-days

Cal State Los Angeles announced on Friday that they had been awarded a $900,000 grant from the Department of Justice to establish a Prison to Careers Equity Pathway program.

The initiative is aimed at assisting formerly incarcerated college graduates in securing employment. Funded as part of the Department of Justice’s $4.4 billion in grants, the program will facilitate connections between graduates and regional employers and community organizations.

According to Taffany Lim, the executive director of the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good, the grant signifies Cal State LA‘s commitment to the transformative power of education.

Additionally, Tiffany stated that the Prison to Careers Equity Pathway program will contribute to breaking the cycle of intergenerational incarceration by supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students in earning college degrees.

According to the university, the Department of Justice is providing $4.4 billion in grants to build community capacity for reducing violence, assisting victims and youth, and achieving fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.

The university’s existing Prison B.A. Graduation Initiative, initiated in 2016 with support from President Barack Obama’s Second Chance Pell federal pilot program, serves as the foundation for the new program. This initiative, the first in-person bachelor’s degree completion program for incarcerated students in California, operates at the California State Prison in Lancaster. Students in the program earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a focus on organizational communication.

Recognizing that higher education is linked to lower recidivism rates, officials stated the importance of addressing unemployment as a significant risk factor for recidivism.

Lim emphasized that the insights gained from incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students show the inadequacy of a bachelor’s degree alone. Even if a Cal State LA alum is released with a summa cum laude bachelor’s degree, the challenges of pursuing a meaningful career that utilizes both lived and academic experiences are significant, according to Lim.

To address this, university officials mentioned that the Prison to Careers Equity Pathway program, funded to provide training, professional development, coaching, mentorship, and career planning, will support students both inside and outside prison.

 

Source: https://www.dailynews.com/2024/01/12/cal-state-la-snags-funds-to-help-create-jobs-for-ex-jailed-college-grads/

An undisclosed “significant incident” has led to the Los Angeles County Probation Department placing eight probation officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall on administrative leave.

The eight probation officers allegedly committed misconduct with multiple juveniles who are detained at the criticized juvenile detention facility in Downey. This incident occurred in December.

The Probation Department, refraining from providing further details, maintained that its internal affairs unit would not handle the investigation to preserve the inquiry’s integrity. Instead, Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa has sought assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for an external investigation.

In a news release on Wednesday, Viera Rosa emphasized the importance of publicly sharing this information as a step toward bringing new leadership, accountability, and transparency to the Probation Department. He expressed his commitment to establishing a safe and secure environment for the youth in their care, offering a clear path to rehabilitation.

Before becoming chief of L.A. County’s Probation Department, state leaders appointed Viera Rosa as the “chief strategist” for the county’s juvenile operations amid intensely critical reviews of facility conditions. Throughout his tenure, he has committed to “wiping the slate clean” and rejuvenating the county’s approach to juvenile detention.

A significant change during his leadership involved relocating hundreds of detained juveniles from aging facilities to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, which had recently undergone renovation. However, challenges persisted, including a riot resulting in one inmate escape, the discovery of a gun within the facility, and another juvenile escape months later.

While details of the recent incident remain unclear, Viera Rosa affirmed his commitment to reforming L.A. County’s juvenile detention system. He stated the department’s active efforts to identify and remove individuals not aligning with standards and core values to eliminate negative influences within the organization.

The Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission meets every second Thursday of the month, so the next meeting is set for the day after they announced the officers’ suspension.

 

Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/8-probation-officers-placed-on-leave-at-embattled-l-a-county-juvenile-facility/

The inmate dog training program, a collaboration between the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) and a local humane society, actively aims to facilitate the adoption of dogs while simultaneously equipping inmates with valuable life skills.

Inmates at FCI Terre Haute are presently training five dogs, among them Maya, a two-year-old German Shepherd mix sourced from the Terre Haute Humane Society.

In the training process, the dogs acquire essential commands such as sit, heel, lay down, and social interaction with other dogs.

According to Maggie Wheeler, a volunteer coordinator at the Terra Haute Human Society, the Terre Haute Humane Society retains custody of the dogs until they pass the required test. Prospective adopters must visit “Unlimited Pawsabilities” in Terre Haute for a consultation before undertaking a skills test to assess compatibility with the dog.

The consultation process at “Unlimited Pawsabilities” not only ensures a suitable match between adopters and dogs but also guarantees that the training imparted by the inmates will be reinforced in the new homes. Wheeler added that the program plays a crucial role in aiding shelter dogs by offering them training and making them available for adoption by the general public.

Apart from alleviating the burden on local shelters, the inmate dog training program imparts a sense of purpose to the participating inmates.

Todd Royer, Camp Administrator at FCI Terre Haute, stresses the significance of the program in instilling accountability, teaching leadership, and providing inmates with valuable skills for re-entry into their communities upon release.

Upon successful completion of the training, participating inmates receive a dog trainer certification, opening doors to potential employment opportunities post-release. Royer cites instances of former inmates who, after release, established their own dog-training businesses in the state of Indiana.

Individuals interested in adopting Maya or other dogs from the program can visit or contact “Unlimited Pawsabilities” at 1209 N. Fruitridge Avenue in Terre Haute, with the phone number 812-241-7249.

Lastly, Wheeler points out that the dogs are special and require committed adopters willing to invest the necessary effort in their ongoing training and care.

 

Source: https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/local-news/terre-haute-humane-society-teaming-up-with-federal-prison-to-train-dogs/

Related blog: https://inmate-lookup.org/blog/paws-for-life-k9-rescue-receive-inspire-change-changemaker-award-los-angeles-chargers

On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a grant of nearly $5,000 for Alabama correctional officer’s prison body armor to the Department of Corrections.

The grant aimed to facilitate the acquisition of upgraded prison body armor for correctional officers stationed in each of the state’s prisons.

In a released statement, Ivey expressed her satisfaction with allocating these funds, stressing the importance of ensuring that the officers are adequately equipped to execute their duties with increased safety. In addition, she highlighted the considerable responsibilities placed on correctional officers, emphasizing the crucial role they play in maintaining the security of the state’s correctional facilities.

The grant, sourced from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs through the U.S. Department of Justice, marks a commitment to bolstering the safety measures for correctional officers. The newly procured vests are meticulously designed to prevent the risk of injuries, providing resilience against ballistic impacts and sharp objects.

Director Kenneth Boswell of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs affirmed the governor’s recognition of the significance of Alabama’s correctional officers and their contributions.

Lastly, he conveyed the agency’s pleasure in participating in a program that directly aids correctional officers in carrying out their responsibilities, as stated in an official release.

Subsequently, Commissioner John Hamm of the Department of Corrections has been duly informed of the approval of the grant. Further reinforcing the collaborative efforts to enhance safety measures for correctional officers across the state.

The state of Alabama currently operates fifteen prisons.

 

Source: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/12/alabama-gov-kay-ivey-5000-to-correctional-officers-for-body-armor/72207453007/

Management and staff at the Valley State Prison recently participated in the Special Olympics Northern California Regional Bowling Tournament held at the Bowlero in Clovis, according to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation news release.

The purpose of the event was to raise both funds and awareness for the Special Olympics, a cause that Valley State Prison in Chowchilla has consistently supported over the years.

Managers from the prison volunteered their personal time to attend the event, showcasing a commitment that extends beyond the confines of the correctional facility.

The staff displayed their team spirit by seizing the chance to play a friendly game of bowling. What made this event extra remarkable was the staff’s initiative to individually hand out medals to the Special Olympics participants. This formed a clear and significant link between them and the cause they were supporting.

Capt. R. Boozer emphasized the significance of extending support to the Special Olympics community. Witnessing the joy on the faces of the participants during the bowling event was genuinely inspiring. In addition, Capt. R. Boozer expressed a sense of fulfillment for dedicating time to such a worthy cause

Participating in the Special Olympics Northern California Regional Bowling Tournament fundraiser showcases the staff’s continuous dedication to community service.

Valley State Prison’s ongoing charitable efforts serve to reinforce that positive contributions to society are actively pursued, even within the constraints of a prison setting.

 

Source: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2024/01/11/bowling-benefits-special-olympics/

Quandelle Joseph, a former correction officer at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, acknowledged in Brooklyn Federal Court on Thursday that he had accepted bribes for smuggling contraband into the facility.

In Brooklyn Federal Court, Joseph, 33, pleaded guilty to a bribery charge, admitting his involvement in corrupt activities just a few months after commencing his employment at the Sunset Park jail.

Based on federal sentencing guidelines, Joseph might receive a maximum of three years behind bars, even though the charge carries a potential 15-year sentence.

His illegal activities came under scrutiny in December of the year he started working at the Metropolitan Detention Center (May 2020) when authorities discovered contraband, including a cell phone, in a racketeering suspect’s cell emitting a distinct odor of weed.

Video evidence revealed that Quandelle Joseph had made an unauthorized visit to the inmate’s housing unit, deviating from his assigned unit on lockdown. A criminal complaint pointed out that, as he left, he did not have the bedroll he had initially brought in.

Joseph admitted to accepting bribes between January 1 and November 1, 2021, confessing that during that time, he had accepted and agreed to receive money to bring contraband into MDC Brooklyn, according to his statement to Judge Dora Irizarry.

According to federal prosecutors, Joseph received tens of thousands of dollars in total. However, his defense attorney, Robert LaRusso, indicated a potential dispute regarding the prosecution’s ability to prove the bribe amount and whether Joseph qualifies to be categorized as a public official.

The former correction officer also faced accusations of using a burner phone to warn an inmate about impending searches. In a text message, he advised the message recipients to keep phones clean and erase texts and call logs every night, as stated in the complaint.

The Metropolitan Detention Center has faced recurring criticism for its substandard conditions and insufficient staffing in recent years. Just last week, a federal judge in Manhattan expressed the jail’s conditions as “dreadful” and opted not to send a 70-year-old fentanyl dealer there for sentencing.

The facility has housed high-profile defendants, including Jeffrey Epstein, Bernie Madoff, Ghislaine Maxwell, and R. Kelly.

They have not determined a sentencing date for Quandelle Joseph yet.

 

Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/11/former-brooklyn-federal-jail-guard-admits-he-took-bribes-smuggled-contraband/

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/14/us/gallery/metropolitan-correctional-center-prisoners/index.html

Christopher Jones, an inmate at the Clark County Detention Center, has taken legal action against the Las Vegas police, claiming discriminatory treatment towards him and other deaf inmates.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, involves allegations of deliberate indifference to Jones’s medical needs and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Jones, represented by the ACLU of Nevada and the National Association of the Deaf, asserts that the jail failed to provide effective means of communication, further increasing the challenges faced by deaf inmates.

To address these issues, ACLU of Nevada Legal Director Christopher Peterson emphasized the necessity of bringing the Clark County Detention Center into the modern era. He stressed the importance of providing the required services for one of the most vulnerable segments of the incarcerated population.

The lawsuit alleges that the Metropolitan Police Department, responsible for operating the county jail, neglected its obligation to offer tools catering to the needs of deaf inmates like videophones, sign language interpreters, or program modification.

In January 2022, the ACLU of Nevada submitted a comparable complaint to the Department of Justice, urging an investigation into how the jail treats deaf inmates.

Peterson stated that Christopher Jones experienced discriminatory treatment, and his three-year incarceration at the jail was more challenging due to his deafness.

The lawsuit states that being deaf, Jones restricted communication to written notes, leading to him missing vital verbal announcements, including information about COVID-19, during the peak of the pandemic. The absence of an interpreter also prevented his participation in classes and religious services.

 

Communication Challenges

The lawsuit seeks damages for Jones and urges a judge to mandate the Metropolitan Police Department’s compliance with its obligations, insisting on the implementation of appropriate remedial measures at the Clark County Detention Center.

While the jail employs teletypewriters for hard-of-hearing inmates to make phone calls, Peterson argued that this technology is outdated and inadequate for those with limited time for communication. The inmates must type out messages for an operator to relay the information to the caller on the other end of the line when using teletypewriters.

After eight months of incarceration, Jones obtained access to a teletypewriter for making phone calls. Peterson calls for the jail to implement videophones, providing a means for inmates to communicate in sign language, according to the lawsuit. Peterson emphasized that the deaf community’s preferred videophone technology is already in use in jails and prisons all over the nation.

Citing legal precedents, Peterson highlighted that courts in various states have ordered facilities to provide proper accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing inmates.

In addition, Peterson asserted that, as a major metropolitan area, they have an obligation to adhere to modern standards of decency for incarcerated individuals in their facilities. He emphasized that they possess the financial resources and intelligence to fulfill these obligations, yet they fall short.

The lawsuit further claims that when Christopher Jones tried to file a complaint, he faced disciplinary action and was placed in solitary confinement for not following the correct grievance process. However, the staff members at the jail failed to effectively communicate to Jones what the proper grievance process entailed.

Instances of Jones being denied writing utensils during disciplinary housing further hindered his ability to communicate with other inmates or staff. The lawsuit also details incidents where Jones, due to language barriers, was unable to understand orders promptly, leading to disciplinary actions such as transfer to solitary confinement.

Notably, during a mental health evaluation, the jail allegedly failed to provide Christopher Jones with an interpreter after he reported experiencing hallucinations to staff members.

Summarizing the effects of communication barriers, the lawsuit emphasized that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals at the Clark County Detention Center often miss essential information, resulting in the disruption of meals, appointments, medication schedules, work, and laundry.

 

Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/las-vegas-jail-accused-of-discriminating-against-deaf-inmates-in-federal-suit-2980226/

On Monday, the federal government submitted a statement to a Georgia court, advising an Atlanta judge that the state should finance a surgery for gender transition for a prisoner.

In a statement of interest, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, along with other Department of Justice administrators, actively pushed for the civil rights of a biologically male prisoner, pointing out the need for treatment to alleviate the claimed gender dysphoria.

Gender dysphoria, causing distress due to a misalignment between the assigned gender at birth and the identified gender, was cited as grounds for the prisoner’s request.

The federal authorities argued that the Georgia Department of Corrections’ refusal to provide free transition care to transgender inmates violates the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the federal Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as per the prisoner’s lawsuit.

The Department of Justice appears to support the lawsuit, contending that gender dysphoria does not fall under any disability exclusion in federal law pertaining to individuals with gender identity disorders not stemming from physical impairments.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated that individuals with gender dysphoria ought to have the opportunity to pursue the complete protections offered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, akin to individuals with other disabilities.

Additionally, Clarke emphasized that the U.S. Constitution mandates incarcerated individuals in jails and prisons to receive essential medical care, services, and treatment for addressing serious medical conditions.

 

Jane Doe

The 55-year-old prisoner, held in men’s facilities since 1992 with the reason for incarceration undisclosed, is identified as Jane Doe.

An attorney representing the prisoner asserted that Ms. Doe’s conviction history holds no relevance to her case. The filing was made under a pseudonym to shield Ms. Doe from possible retaliation, with the attorney stressing that her conviction history constitutes identifying information.

According to the lawsuit filed by the prisoner, Doe, who has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria since 2015, is currently held in Phillips State Prison.

The lawsuit reads that despite severe and overwhelming gender dysphoria, which involved multiple suicide attempts, two castration attempts, and nearly daily self-harm, the Georgia Department of Corrections has consistently declined to provide treatment for Ms. Doe.

Additionally, Doe accuses Georgia prison officials of exacerbating her gender dysphoria symptoms by withholding necessary care, escalating worries that she might never develop a body that is in line with her gender identity.

According to the report, Doe demands completion of transition surgery and transfer to a women’s institution if she is successful in court. Doe accuses Georgia prison officials of withholding access to hormone treatment and the right to purchase women’s commissary items.

 

Source: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2791466/federal-government-pushing-for-georgia-prisoners-demand-for-state-funded-transition/