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Self-Defense: A New Jersey Prisoner’s Right
Loaded on Jan. 15, 2008
published in Prison Legal News
January, 2008, page 29
Self-Defense: A New Jersey Prisoner's Right
Filed under:
Written Findings,
Civil Procedure,
Defenses,
Failure to Protect (Transgender).
Location:
New Jersey.
A New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, has held that a prisoner has a right to self-defense while incarcerated. Thus, a hearing officer must make specific findings when a self-defense theory is asserted.
The ruling came in an action filed by Michael DeCamp, who …
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- The Poisoned Pen of Fort Lyon Prison, by Alan Prendergast
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Food Deprivation & Pink Clothing Imposed for Violating South Carolina Prison Rules, by David Reutter
- Largest Oregon Jail a Cesspool of Misconduct and Mismanagement, Report Finds; Sheriff Faulted and Under Fire, by Mark Wilson
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- Utah Prisoner Kills Guard During Escape While on Medical Transport, by David Reutter
- Oklahoma Jail Dodges $700,000 in Fines, by Gary Hunter
- CCA-Run Immigrant Family Detention Center in Texas Violates Settlement Conditions, by Matthew Clarke
- $195,000 Paid to Family of Slain Florida Prison Guard, by David Reutter
- Los Angeles Jail Canteen Audit: Contractor Rakes In $640,213 Excess Profits, by John Dannenberg
- Alabama Corrections Commissioner’s Contempt Order Upheld
- California Prison Guards Lose Unlimited “Time Bank” For On-The Job Union Business, by Marvin Mentor
- Lawsuit Against WI Supermax Settled for $475,000; General Population Prisoners Fill Beds
- No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Overpayments to Florida Private Prisons, by David Reutter
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- Most Serious Sex Offenders in Boston Living in Homeless Shelters
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- Iowa Faith-Based Program Held Unconstitutional by 8th Circuit; Continues with Private Funding
- Hawaii Youth Prison Financial Audit Finds Excessive Overtime/Leave Abuses
- Eighth Circuit Upholds Arkansas Jailer’s 78-Month Sentence for Brutalizing Prisoners
- Self-Defense: A New Jersey Prisoner’s Right
- Wrongful Death Suit Against LA County Jail Settles For $750,000
- Eighth Circuit Holds State Funding of Iowa Faith-Based Prison Unconstitutional, by Michael Rigby
- California Jail Settles Gender-Identity-Disorder Discrimination Suit, by John Dannenberg
- $35,000 Jury Award in Massachusetts Prisoner’s Assault by Guards
- BOP Byline Prohibition Unconstitutional, by David Reutter
- Washington Pays $665,000 to Prisoner Injured In Racially Motivated Attack
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- United States Sentencing Commission Approves Crack Reform For Federal Prisoners
- Eleventh Circuit Condemns One-Sentence Qualified Immunity Denial Order
- $25,000 Settlement in Miami False Arrest, Strip Search Suit
- Seventh Circuit Rejects Federal Prisoner’s Necessity Defense
- Some Australian Prisoners Entitled to Vote
- Fourth Circuit Finds Virginia Prisoner’s Religious Exercise Claim Meritorious, by Michael Rigby
- Summary Dismissal of Court Access Claim Reversed
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- Michigan Anti-Civil Rights Amendment Declared Unconstitutional, by John Dannenberg
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- Trump is Making Federal Prisons More Dangerous for Transgender Prisoners, Aug. 1, 2026. Prison Rape Elimination Act, Involuntary Treatment/Drugging, Transgender Medical Procedures, Discrimination (Transgender), Failure to Protect (Transgender).
- Oregon Supreme Court: Jail Credit Statute Focuses Upon Legal Custody Not Physical Custody Location, July 1, 2026. Civil Procedure, Sentencing, Appeals/Appellate Jurisdiction, Criminal Justice, Statutory Construction/Interpretation.
- Washington State Supreme Court Ruling Supports Broad Immunity in Overdose Cases, June 1, 2026. Drug Overdose, Failure to Protect (General), Defenses, Immunity/Liability, Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death).
- Alabama Supreme Court Denies DOC’s Improper Venue Objection, Jan. 1, 2026. Defenses, Good Time, Habeas Corpus, Failure to Object, Authority and Jurisdiction.
- The DOJ Orders Prison Inspectors to Drop LGBTQ+ Protections, Jan. 1, 2026. Sexual Assault, Corrections Audits, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Discrimination (Transgender), Failure to Protect (Transgender).
- $95,000 Settlement for Trans BOP Prisoner Assaulted by Cellmate in Arizona Lockup, Dec. 1, 2025. Snitch Jacketing, Failure to Protect (General), Physical Injury Rule, Failure to Treat (Mental Illness), Transgender Medical Procedures, Discrimination (Transgender), Failure to Protect (Transgender).
- First Circuit: District Court Abused Discretion by Sua Sponte Raising Statute of Limitations Defense to Habeas Petition After Respondents Had Intelligently “Waived” It by Being Aware of Availability but Failing to Assert It, Nov. 15, 2025. Defenses, Limitations, Habeas Corpus, Double jeopardy, Knowingly and Intelligently.
- $950,000 Awarded to Trans Maryland Prisoner Dropped on Her Face by Guards, Nov. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Government Misconduct, Retaliation for Filing Grievances, Retaliation for Organizing, Retaliatory Segregation, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Discrimination (Transgender), Failure to Protect (Transgender), Immunity - Absolute and Qualified, Damages - Compensatory, Wrongful Use of Force.

