More from this issue:

1. Jail Suicides in Massachusetts Point to National Crisis: Challenging Legislatures to Say Not One More, by Jennifer Honig
2. Government Refuses to Follow Federal Court’s Discovery Order After Being Caught Recording Attorney Meetings with Prisoners at Leavenworth, by Dale Chappell
3. From the Editor, by Paul Wright
4. Mississippi Joins Illinois and Few Other States Prioritizing Vaccination of State Prisoners to Slow Spread of COVID-19, by Derek Gilna
5. Pandemic Medical Update: “Herd Immunity” at Prisons?, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
6. Texas Winter Storm Freezes Plumbing, Power and Prisoners, by Matthew Clarke
7. Massachusetts Governor Ends Good Time Offer for Prisoners Taking COVID-19 Vaccine, by David Reutter
8. Connecticut Lawmakers Refuse to Address Corrections Issues During Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
9. Confidential Settlement in Case Involving Alleged Pattern of Racist Misconduct in Michigan Prisons, by Casey Bastian
10. California Trans Women Struggle For Protection Under Prison Rape Elimination Act, by Edward Lyon
11. Oklahoma Prisoners Call for Better Nutrition, by Kevin Bliss
12. Florida Jail Administrators Fired After Woman Gives Birth in Cell, by Daniel A. Rosen
13. Holiday Cards for Prisoners: Let’s End Collective Punishment in U.S. Prisons, by Sandy Rozek
14. Virginia Settles Two Lawsuits Over Misuse of Solitary Confinement, by Daniel A. Rosen
15. COVID-19 Inspired Ban on Prison Visits in Texas Ends, by Chad Marks
16. Activist, Political Prisoner, and Journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal Diagnosed With COVID-19, Energizing Calls for His Release, by Juliette LaMarr
17. COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Job Hunting Especially Difficult for Ex-Offenders, by Kevin Bliss
18. U.S. Sues Alabama Over Prison Conditions, by David Reutter
19. Florida Prison Guard Indicted in Prisoner Death by Blunt Force Trauma, by David Reutter
20. Michigan Begins Video Visits During Coronavirus Pandemic, by David Reutter
21. Hawaii Fails to Provide Video of Two Prison Disturbances, by Edward Lyon
22. California Prison Factories Fined For Exposing Unwitting Workers to COVID-19, by Mark Wilson
23. Sixth Circuit Upholds Prisoner’s 18 U.S.C. § 111 Conviction for Assaulting Federally Contracted Private Prison Guard, by Matthew Clarke
24. "Conservative New York County Enacts Progressive Transgender Prisoner Policy", by Mark Wilson
25. COVID-19 Depletes State Prison Staffs Nationwide, Forcing Consolidation of Facilities and Increasing Risk to All, by Derek Gilna
26. After 36 Years in a Louisiana Prison for a Rape He Didn’t Commit, Archie Williams Wins Freedom — and a TV Show Spotlight, by Casey Bastian
27. COVID-19 Continues Rampage Through Pennsylvania State Prisons, by Derek Gilna
28. $105,000 Settlement in Wisconsin Prisoner’s Excessive Force Claim, by David Reutter
29. Alabama Jails and Prisoners Swamped With COVID-Related Problems, by Daniel A. Rosen
30. How States Exclude People With Criminal Records From Jury Service, by Dale Chappell
31. Study Shows Misaligned Economic Incentives Fuel Mass Incarceration, by Matthew Clarke
32. California Enacts Legislation Strengthening Protections for LGBTQ Prisoners, by Matthew Clarke
33. Baltimore Demolishes Maryland’s Oldest Penitentiary, Burying Its Nostalgia And Nightmares, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
34. Books: “Let The Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty”, by Robert Dunham
35. Florida Senator Wants to Keep Ex-Prisoners from Earning the $15 Minimum Wage Increase, by Kevin Bliss
36. Former Prisoner Becomes Activist for LBGTQ Rights in California Prisons
37. Parnall Correctional Facility in Michigan Copes with Scabies Outbreak, by Kevin Bliss
38. Fourth Circuit: Deaf North Carolina Prisoner Should be Allowed Direct Videophone Calls to Communicate with Deaf Community, by David Reutter
39. People in jails are using more phone minutes during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite decreased jail populations, by Andrea Fenster
40. Ransomware Attack on GEO Group Exposes Sensitive Information, by Matthew Clarke
41. Hundreds of Virginia Inmates Await Parole Consideration Under New Law, by Daniel A. Rosen
42. Colorado’s Governor Bows to Pressure in Denying State Prisoners Priority COVID-19 Vaccinations, by Derek Gilna
43. More Than 40 Immigrants Have Died in ICE Custody, by Anthony Accurso
44. Experts Divided on Drug Court Effectiveness, by Kevin Bliss
45. Secrecy Surrounded Flurry of Late-Term Federal Executions Under Donald Trump, by Derek Gilna
46. New Advocacy Group for New Mexico Prisoners Created, by Dale Chappell
47. Vermont Prisoner’s Death Under Investigation: Did Implicit Bias Play Role?, by Kevin Bliss
48. News in Brief

More from Anthony Accurso:

• D.C. Circuit Holds Compelling Suspect to Unlock Cellphone With Thumbprint Is ‘Testimonial’ Act and Violates Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination, Feb. 15, 2025
• $220,000 Settlement After Woman Dies in Ohio Jail From Drug Withdrawal, Feb. 15, 2025
• Colorado Supreme Court Holds Defendant Was in ‘Custody’ for Miranda Purposes Because She Had Hands Bagged and Zip Tied, Commanded Not to Remove Them, and Questioned Alone in Interrogation Room With Door Closed, Feb. 15, 2025
• First Circuit Holds No Emergency-Aid Exception to Warrant Requirement Where Police Have Information That Subject Is Already Deceased, Feb. 15, 2025
• Police Departments Are Now Using AI to Write Reports, Feb. 15, 2025
• Illinois Supreme Court Announces Odor of Burnt Cannabis Alone Is Insufficient to Establish Probable Cause for a Warrantless Vehicle Search, Feb. 1, 2025
• Mass Spectrometry Being Studied as Way to Analyze Overlapping or Weak Fingerprints, Feb. 1, 2025
• Georgia Supreme Court Grants Habeas Relief Where Both Trial and Appellate Counsel Provided Ineffective Assistance by Failing to Challenge Indictment for Residential Burglary That Failed to Allege Defendant Illegally Entered a ‘Dwelling’, Jan. 15, 2025
• Childhood Trauma Incidence Higher Among Those Incarcerated, Jan. 15, 2025
• Nevada Supreme Court Announces Incorporated Probable Cause Affidavit Cannot Broaden Scope of Warrant’s Description of Places and Persons to be Searched or Items to Be Seized, Dec. 1, 2024

More from these topics:

• Settlement Bars Family Separations at U.S. Border Until 2031, Pays $6.4 Million in Legal Fees and Costs, March 1, 2025. Settlements, Family, Enforcement of Immigration Laws, Immigration Law/Offenses.
• Sixth Circuit Upholds $6.4 Million Jury Award Against Corizon Nurses For Michigan Jail Prisoner’s Fatal Alcohol Withdrawal, March 1, 2025. Corizon, Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• New Mexico Corrections Department Continues Pattern of Abuse With Contract Medical Provider Wexford Health Sources, Feb. 15, 2025. Wexford Health Services, Systemic Medical Neglect, Malpractice, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• $150,000 Settlement But No Charges After Schizophrenic Florida Detainee Killed by Jail Guards, Feb. 15, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Failure to Treat (Mental Illness).
• $220,000 Settlement After Woman Dies in Ohio Jail From Drug Withdrawal, Feb. 15, 2025. Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• Wellpath Declares Bankruptcy, Jan. 15, 2025. Private Contractors, Bankruptcy, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• Suits Filed Over Dehydration Deaths at Two Texas Jails, Jan. 15, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Water, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Failure to Treat (Mental Illness).
• Two-Week Lockdown at BOP Women’s Prison in Minnesota After Nine Overdoses, Two Deaths, Jan. 15, 2025. Gender Discrimination -- Women, Drug Overdose, Lockdowns, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• Centurion’s $8 Million Track Record of Abuse and Neglect as New Mexico’s Correctional Medical Provider, Dec. 15, 2024. Centurion, Systemic Medical Neglect, Private Contractors, Settlements, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
• Washington State Patrol Accused of Confusing Driver’s Brain Bleed for DUI, Dec. 15, 2024. Medical Neglect/Malpractice, DUI, False Exculpatory Statements.