Tulsa, Oklahoma Settles Four Wrongful Conviction Lawsuits for $810,000
by Matt Clarke
In January 2014, the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma agreed to pay $35,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a man claiming his wrongful conviction was the result of police corruption; that same month the city settled a similar ...
$130,000 Settlement in Minnesota Prisoner’s Medical Negligence Suit
by Matt Clarke
In June 2014, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) announced that it would pay $130,000 to settle a medical negligence lawsuit brought by a prisoner who suffered permanent nerve damage due to medical neglect.
Eric Thomas, 32, was incarcerated ...
Texas Hospital Settles Suit over Improper Border Patrol Search for $1.1 Million
by Matt Clarke
The University Medical Center of El Paso and its emergency room physicians settled their part of a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by a New Mexico woman who was forcibly subjected to invasive searches and ...
Utah Judge Orders Jail to Stop Seizing Prisoners’ Money for Pay-to-Stay Fees
by Matt Clarke
On April 9, 2014, Utah District Judge Michael G. Allphin signed a standing order for all criminal cases in which he presided, prohibiting Davis County Sheriff Todd Richardson, the sheriff’s office and its business manager ...
Obama Administration Promises Transparency but Vigorously Prosecutes Whistleblowers
by Matt Clarke
In 2009, President Barack Obama promised a more transparent, whistleblower-friendly government. Obama claims he delivered on that promise with his November 27, 2012 signing of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, especially since he issued a White House policy directive ...
Texas Enacts Legislation to Reduce Wrongful Convictions
by Matt Clarke
Legal experts in Texas are trying to iron out a wrinkle they say is an unintended consequence arising from a new law governing discovery in criminal cases, but despite the glitch, the statute has been hailed as landmark legislation aimed ...
Federal Court Finds Texas Violates Rights of Muslim Prisoners
by Matt Clarke
On April 30, 2014, a federal district court held that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) was violating the constitutional rights of Muslim prisoners by limiting their religious services to one hour per week unless a volunteer ...
$451,000 Federal Jury Award for Illinois Prisoner Beaten by Jail Guard
by Matt Clarke
In March 2014, an Illinois federal jury awarded $451,000 to a pretrial detainee at the Cook County Jail who was severely beaten by a guard a dozen years earlier.
James Degorski, 41, filed a civil rights ...
Texas Prison Escapes Down Since “Texas Seven”
by Matt Clarke
Officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) say the number of escapes from state prisons dropped sharply after seven prisoners staged a brazen break-out in 2001. Since 2012 there have been only three escapes from secure facilities, all ...
One of Two Charges Dropped against Former Texas Governor in Abuse-of-Power Case
by Matt Clarke
One criminal charge has been dismissed in an abuse-of-power case filed against ex-Texas Governor Rick Perry, but a second charge remains pending that stems from his attempt to force the resignation of the district attorney ...
