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$135,000 Settles Sexual Orientation Discrimination Suit by Former Michigan Prison Guard
by Matt Clarke
On October 10, 2019, a former Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) prison guard, who is Hispanic and openly gay, settled a lawsuit over her discriminatory treatment at a DOC prison for $135,000.
Twelve months after starting work at the DOC in January 2016, Ashley Menchaca transferred to ...
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More from this issue:
- Coronavirus in Prison: The Cruel Reality, by Christopher Zoukis
- Survey of 8,000 Prisoners’ Political Views Finds Surprising Results, by David Reutter
- “Collateral Consequences” of Convictions Hinder Chances of Post-Prison Success, by Dale Chappell
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- How to Fail at Running a Prison During a Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
- New Initiatives from Philadelphia, Koch Industries, Work to Get Ex-Offenders Jobs, by Anthony Accurso
- Medical Director of California Prison System Removed After Dubious Transfers Spike COVID-19 Counts, by Derek Gilna
- Judge Awards $273,246 Payment to New York Prisoner Beaten by Guard, by David Reutter
- Prison Postcards: “I feel as though I was either in a car accident or beaten by a baseball bat.”, by Ken Silverstein
- Utah State Auditor Finds Grave Deficiencies in Prisoner Placement Program, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
- Justice Department and GEO Group Challenge California’s Ban on Private Prison and Detention Facilities, by Matthew Clarke
- Nevada Court Rules Prison Officials Withheld Evidence from Prisoner, by David Reutter
- U.S. District Court Says Rhode Island Department of Corrections Violated “Morris Rules”, by Douglas Ankney
- Injunction Orders Protection for Prisoner Witnesses in California Disability Lawsuit, by David Reutter
- Lockdowns Follow “Coordinated” Gang Fights at Oklahoma Prisons, by David Reutter
- Texas Execs Sentenced for Providing Bad Food to BOP, by Edward Lyon
- California Scrambled to Staff Wildfire Crews After Firefighting Prisoners Locked Down Due to COVID-19, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Parole Board Cannot Confine Parolee Beyond Statutory Max, by Anthony Accurso
- Coronavirus Will Not Be Controlled in Country Until It Is Controlled in Prisons and Jails, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
- Prisoner Law Consultant in Michigan Pleads Guilty to Defrauding BOP, by David Reutter
- Interview: Jessica Sandoval of Unlock the Box on Solitary Confinement, by Ken Silverstein
- $5,400 Payout by Montana DOC Over Ex-Prisoner’s Claim of Religious, Gender Discrimination, by David Reutter
- Seventh Circuit: Transfer of Indiana Prisoner Based on Substance of Grievances Not Retaliatory, by David Reutter
- Captain at Jail Where Epstein Died Offered New Position of Authority; Warden Remains on Desk Duty, by Kevin Bliss
- $110,000 Settlement Reached in Ohio Prisoner’s Excessive Force Suit, by David Reutter
- Alabama DOC Report: Staff Beat, Hog-Tied, and Denied Medical Care to Fatally Injured Prisoner Seeking Help; Then Covered It Up, by Matthew Clarke
- New Study Documents Startling Spread of COVID-19 in American Prisons and Jails, by Sharon Dolovich, Brendan Saloner
- Commitment to New Jersey’s “Special Treatment Unit” a Potential Death Sentence, by Kevin Bliss
- Coronavirus Shuts Down Ramen Soup Plant; Prisoners in Michigan Limited on Purchase Amounts, by Dale Chappell
- Families Accuse Arkansas Prison of Poor Communication on COVID-19 Prisoners, by Kevin Bliss
- Sixth Circuit: Courts Must Construe Pro Se Notice of Appeal as Motion for Extension of Time to Appeal, by Dale Chappell
- Kansas Prison Dental Instructor Sentenced to 32 Months for Molesting Female Prisoner, by Matthew Clarke
- Michigan Prisoner’s Malicious Prosecution Claim Survives Summary Judgment, by David Reutter
- Oregon Court Holds Prison Litigation Reform Act Exhaustion Tolls Statute of Limitations, by Mark Wilson
- Book Review: The Habeas Citebook: Prosecutorial Misconduct Is an Invaluable Resource for Challenging Prosecutorial Misconduct, by Dale Chappell
- Bad Behavior: Key to Getting Promoted for Alabama Prison Officials, by Dale Chappell
- San Quentin Had Zero COVID-19 Cases Until California Officials Sent Infected Prisoners, Triggered Wildfire, by Douglas Ankney
- Due to Steps Taken by New Mexico Officials, Only Sex Offenders Present When Prison Overwhelmed by COVID-19, by Matthew Clarke
- Darren Rainey Died in Scalding Prison Shower Eight Years Ago Today, Still No Charges Filed, by Jessica Lipscomb
- $135,000 Settles Sexual Orientation Discrimination Suit by Former Michigan Prison Guard, by Matthew Clarke
- Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign Files Suit Seeking to Sever University’s Financial Ties With Prison Industrial Complex, by Douglas Ankney
- Eleventh Circuit Holds Trafficking Victims Protection Act Applies to CoreCivic “Voluntary Work Program”, by Matthew Clarke
- Alabama Says It Will Reform Prisons, the Nation’s Deadliest, by Bill Barton
- New York: Prisoner Kills Himself After Brutal Beating by Guards, by Chad Marks
- COVID-19 Causes Public Defenders to Change How They Handle Cases, by Dale Chappell
- $140,000 Settlement in Ohio Jail Beating, Retaliation Case, by David Reutter
- Jury Award $700,000 to Maryland Prisoner Assaulted by Guards, by Chad Marks
- IRS Blocks Prisoners from CARES Stimulus Checks, by Derek Gilna
- Seventh Circuit: Totality of the Circumstances Must be Considered to Show “Policy or Custom” by Government Agency Caused Injury for Monell Claim, by Dale Chappell
- Former Prisoners Are Running for Office In 2020, by Daniel A. Rosen
- $122,000 Payout as Utah Settles Suits Claiming Daggett County Jail Torture, by Dale Chappell
- Jewish Michigan Prisoners Win Injunction for Religious Sabbath and Holiday Meals, by David Reutter
- Texas Prison System Bans Greetings Cards, Postcards, Colored Paper in Mail, by Matthew Clarke
- News in Brief
More from Matthew Clarke:
- Texas Social Workers Challenge Blanket Denial of State Occupational License Based on Youthful Assault Convictions, Aug. 1, 2025
- After Judge’s Letter, at Least 22 Former FCI Dublin Prisoners Granted Compassionate Release, Aug. 1, 2025
- Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Award of Time Served Credit for Non-Citizen Awaiting Extradition, Aug. 1, 2025
- Former Oregon Prison Guard Sergeant Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Imprisoned Women, Aug. 1, 2025
- Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Procedure for Crediting Jail Time to Multiple Contemporaneously-Imposed Sentences, Aug. 1, 2025
- Over One-Third of Older Texas Prisoners Suffering Cognitive Impairment, July 15, 2025
- Kansas Supreme Court Revives Prisoner’s Challenge to Loss of Parental Rights, June 1, 2025
- Fifth Circuit Reinstates Baha’i Texas Prisoner’s Dietary Claim, June 1, 2025
- $5.6 Million Settlement for California Prisoner’s Wife Strip-searched During Visit, June 1, 2025
- Academic Study of Prison Guards’ Use of Excessive Force Details Sad State of Civil Rights for Abused Prisoners, June 1, 2025
More from these topics:
- Now Under Federal Receivership, New York City’s Rikers Island Jails Still Have No Plan to Improve, No Firm Date to Close, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Jail Misconduct, Corrections Audits, Systemic Medical Neglect, Medical Records, Eighth Amendment.
- Suit Filed Over Fatal Beating of New York Prisoner That Sparked Massive Guard Strike, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Failure to Treat, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death), Excessive Force (Wrongful Death).
- News in Brief, Aug. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Private Prisons, Misconduct/Corruption, Guard Misconduct, Systemic Medical Neglect, Male Reproductive, Malpractice, Escapes, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Stun Guns/Tasers, Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Restraints, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Juvenile Prisons, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bribery/Extortion/Theft.
- Former Maine Prison Guard Arrested and Detained by ICE Agents, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Guards/Staff, Immigration Law/Offenses.
- Former California Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Planting Contraband He Pretended to Discover, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct.
- News in Brief, Aug. 1, 2025. Assault by Police, Misconduct/Corruption, Guard Misconduct, Police Misconduct, Stun Guns/Tasers, Immigration, False Arrest, Evidence - Integrity/Reliability of.
- Class-Action Suit at BOP “Rape Club” in California Settled for Record $116 Million, July 15, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, DOC/BOP misconduct, Settlements, Injunctions, Class Actions.
- News in Brief, July 15, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, Jail Misconduct, Failure to Protect (General), Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, halfway houses, New Trial/Judgment of Acquittal, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Fraud and Deceit.
- Former New Jersey Jailers Plead Guilty to Beating Detainee for Tossing Urine, July 15, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Prisoners' Rights.
- From the Editor, July 15, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Censorship.

