In the case of Robert Brooks, a Black inmate who died after being brutally beaten at a New York prison, four guards have pleaded guilty. These pleas came just before the trial for the other guards indicted in February. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina, both facing the top charge of murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and will be sentenced to 22 years in prison. Two other guards also pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, with varying sentences. The beating, which was captured on video, triggered outrage and calls for prison reform.
Read More
Trump’s administration’s decision to spend millions to reopen a private prison in California immediately raises a lot of eyebrows, doesn’t it? The whole thing, from the outside, looks rather peculiar. First, there’s a private prison that, for whatever reason, needs significant repairs and subsequently shuts down. Then, boom, the government—under Trump—steps in, pouring millions of taxpayer dollars into fixing it up. And what happens next? Well, the newly refurbished prison isn’t handed back to the state; it’s handed over to private investors, who then start collecting money to house prisoners in a facility that the government just fixed. Seems a bit backwards, doesn’t it?… Continue reading
President Trump’s executive order, mandating the housing of incarcerated transgender women in men’s prisons and halting gender-affirming care, is explored as it endangers a vulnerable population. The order disregards court rulings, including Farmer v. Brennan, which established protections for inmates against harm. Advocates like Deidre Farmer and Ronnie Taylor discuss the devastating impact of these policies, which lead to increased violence, discrimination, and the denial of basic human rights for transgender individuals. They emphasize the need for education and for society to recognize and support the transgender community.
Read More
President Trump announced plans to reopen and expand Alcatraz as a federal prison, citing a need to house the nation’s most violent offenders. This directive, part of a broader effort to overhaul the federal prison system, would necessitate extensive renovations and substantial financial investment. The practicality of this endeavor is questioned, given Alcatraz’s current status as a National Park Service site and the Bureau of Prisons’ existing infrastructure challenges. The announcement follows Trump’s clashes with the courts over deportation procedures and his proposals for other unconventional detention facilities.
Read More
The Bay Area’s oldest prison, San Quentin, is undergoing a significant transformation, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian prison models. This innovative project aims to prioritize dignity, autonomy, and reintegration for inmates, a philosophy demonstrably linked to lower recidivism rates in Scandinavian countries. Norway, for example, boasts a significantly lower two-year recidivism rate compared to the United States, highlighting the potential effectiveness of this approach.
This Scandinavian approach, often described as offering inmates a more humane and rehabilitative environment, contrasts sharply with the traditional American model. The hope is that by creating a more respectful and supportive atmosphere, inmates will be better equipped to successfully reintegrate into society upon release, ultimately reducing the likelihood of reoffending.… Continue reading
Five people have already died at Rikers Island this year, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating. This tragic reality underscores a deeper crisis within the American justice system, one that extends far beyond the walls of this notorious jail. The sheer number of deaths, occurring so early in the year, paints a grim picture of the conditions within the facility and raises serious questions about the efficacy and ethics of our approach to incarceration.
The high percentage of pretrial detainees at Rikers—reportedly around 85%—highlights the significant role of bail reform in this ongoing tragedy. Over-incarceration, coupled with potentially inadequate staff training and unstable working conditions, seems to be creating a dangerous environment.… Continue reading
David Brinson, serving a life sentence for four murders, killed his wife, Stephanie Brinson, during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison in November. Authorities were notified around 2 a.m. when Brinson reported his wife unconscious; despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead. The Amador County District Attorney’s office is currently reviewing the case to determine whether charges will be filed. Brinson is now incarcerated at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton.
Read More
New York’s correctional system ended a 22-day wildcat strike after reaching a deal with the guards’ union contingent on 85% staff returning to work; however, over 2,000 officers were terminated for failing to comply with the deadline. The agreement includes a 90-day suspension of the HALT Act and adjustments to overtime pay, although the Legal Aid Society raised concerns about the deal’s implications for incarcerated individuals and the lack of a plan to restore services. Despite falling short of the 85% goal, the state honored the deal’s provisions, and the National Guard will continue providing support while recruitment efforts intensify.
Read More
The US Bureau of Prisons (BoP) will pay $115 million to settle 103 sexual abuse and retaliation claims from former inmates of FCI Dublin, a women’s prison notorious for widespread misconduct. This historic settlement, the largest in BoP history, follows the criminal convictions of seven Dublin employees and the prison’s closure. A related consent decree mandates ongoing monitoring of the BoP, access to services for victims, and limitations on solitary confinement. Despite the settlement, concerns remain regarding ongoing retaliation and the need for further support for survivors, including immigrant women facing deportation.
Read More
The U.S. Justice Department has released a scathing report detailing unconstitutional conditions at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, citing rampant violence, excessive force, and unsanitary living conditions. The report highlights the 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson in a bedbug-infested cell as a tragic example of the neglect endured by detainees. The investigation found that detainees are subjected to frequent assaults, including stabbings, and that officers often use excessive force, leaving inmates vulnerable to physical injury and psychological trauma. The report also criticizes the lack of adequate medical and mental health care, and calls for immediate remedial actions, including improved classification systems, enhanced officer training, and significant infrastructure upgrades.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood