More from this issue:

1. Debit Card Issuers Still Prey on People Released from Prisons and Jails: HRDC Lawsuits Challenge Companies in Court, by Andrew Stewart
2. Arkansas Governor Hutchinson Grants Commutation for Blind Mother, by Kevin Bliss
3. From the Editor, by Paul Wright
4. $6 Million Payout in Montana Wrongful Conviction Case, by Derek Gilna
5. NBA Owner Capitalizes on Mass Incarceration; Players Silent, by Matthew Clarke
6. University of Florida Still Using Prison Labor, But End in Sight, by Kevin Bliss
7. Texas Disguising Deaths in Custody, by Diana Claitor
8. Administrator of “Whitey” Bulger’s Estate Sues BOP Over His Murder, by Derek Gilna
9. North Carolina Case Involving Death of Black Prisoner: “I Can’t Breathe,” Revisited, by Edward Lyon
10. Cost of Communicating with Prisoners Breaking Family Budgets During Pandemic, by David Reutter
11. New Jersey Releases 2,258 Prisoners to Combat COVID-19 Spread, by David Reutter
12. Pennsylvania Prisoner Off Death Row After 33 Years, by David Reutter
13. Innovative Vermont Prison Superintendent’s Demotion for Sexist Language Proves Controversial, by Jayson Hawkins
14. Another Prisoner’s Needless Death, Another Lawsuit at LaSalle-Run Texarkana Jail, by Matthew Clarke
15. Federal Judge Approves $25 Million Class Action Settlement Against Global Tel*Link, by Derek Gilna
16. The Latest on COVID-19: Will Vaccines be Available Soon?, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
17. Former Prisoners Testify on Abuse at Notorious New Jersey Women’s Prison, by Kevin Bliss
18. Fifth Circuit Order Denies Texas Prisoners Hand Sanitizer and Cleaning Supplies, by Derek Gilna
19. The Role of Prosecutors in Mass Incarceration, by Jayson Hawkins
20. California Passes Bill Allowing ICE Detainees to Sue Private Contractors, by Kevin Bliss
21. COVID-19 Deaths in Jails, Prisons Exceed Number of Deaths by Execution From 1990 to Present, by Derek Gilna
22. Missouri Executes Prisoner During COVID-19 Crisis, by Edward Lyon
23. For Some Faiths in Los Angeles County Jails, Volunteer Chaplains Are in Short Supply, by Douglas Ankney
24. $5.9 Million Settlement in Death of Transgender Prisoner at New York’s Rikers Island, by Matthew Clarke
25. Connecticut Prisoner Commits Suicide With COVID-19 Protective Mask, by Kevin Bliss
26. Prisoners Exonerated in Michigan After Police Misconduct Revealed, by Edward Lyon
27. Woman Sues Mississippi Parole Board for Discrimination and Retaliation, by Anthony Accurso
28. Maine Jail Gets a Pass for Using Pepper Spray on Mentally Ill Prisoners, by Daniel A. Rosen, Kevin Bliss
29. Privatized Food Service Problems at Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County Jail, by Jayson Hawkins
30. $177,500 Settlement in Lawsuit Over Five Louisiana Prisoners Pepper-Sprayed While Handcuffed, by Matthew Clarke
31. California Appellate Court Orders 50% Reduction in San Quentin Population Over Fears of COVID-19 Spread, by David Reutter
32. COVID-19 Lockdowns in Prisons Affecting Post-Secondary Education, by Kevin Bliss
33. Indiana Prisoner Has First Amendment Retaliation Claims Rejected by Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, by Casey Bastian
34. Nine Months Later, DOJ Still Hasn’t Provided Senator Rubio With Answers About Rampant Sexual Abuse at Women’s Prisons, by Douglas Ankney
35. Members of Congress Probe Pentagon on Accreditation of Military Prisons, by Douglas Ankney
36. COVID-19 in the Country’s Largest Female Prison, by Edward Lyon
37. $11 Million Settlement in Illinois for Three Men Freed From Prison in Wrongful Convictions, by Anthony Accurso
38. Activists Call to Shut Down Illinois Prison, by David Reutter
39. Suicides in New York SHUs Surge to Epidemic Levels, by Keith Sanders
40. California Jail Prisoner Loses Limbs, but Faces Setback in Lawsuit Alleging Medical Neglect, by Edward Lyon
41. Teen Spends 17 Months in Mississippi Jail Without Indictment, by Daniel A. Rosen
42. COVID-19 Strikes Alaskan Prison, by Kevin Bliss
43. California First State to Eliminate Post-Prison Fees, by Jayson Hawkins
44. Julian Assange’s Potential Fate in U.S. Prisons, by Jayson Hawkins
45. Families Must Pay for Cremation Bill of Loved Ones Who Die in Prison, by Kevin Bliss
46. Fifth Circuit Reinstates Texas Jail Suicide Lawsuit, by Matthew Clarke
47. Seventh Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Illinois Prisoner’s Lawsuit Alleging Dental Care Negligence, by David Reutter
48. Former Transgender Prisoner Fights for LGBTQ Rights in Massachusetts Prisons, by Kevin Bliss
49. Eighth Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Iowa Prisoner’s ADA Claim, by David Reutter
50. Third Circuit Reinstates Claims by Immigration Detainee in GEO-Operated Prison Seeking to Marry U.S. Citizen, by Matthew Clarke
51. Nebraska Supreme Court Rules Execution Drug Documents Subject to Disclosure, by Matthew Clarke
52. DC Circuit Court: “Three Strike” Prisoners Must Show Imminent Danger to File Lawsuits, by David Reutter
53. Whistleblower Claims Female Detainees at Privately Run Georgia ICE Facility Had Forced Hysterectomies, by Dale Chappell
54. New Documentary Released on Forced Sterilizations of Female Prisoners, by Edward Lyon
55. Maine Superspreader: Few Masks at Wedding Lead to Big Problems at Prison, by Jayson Hawkins
56. News in Brief

More from Douglas Ankney:

• Third Circuit Upholds Award of $265,000 to Prisoner 
Who Was Sexually Assaulted Twice by the Same Guard, Aug. 1, 2025
• Fifth Circuit Announces When Initial § 2255 Petition Not Decided on Merits and Appeals Court Later Recalls Mandate Dismissing Direct Appeal and Affirms Conviction, Subsequent § 2255 Petition Not ‘Second or Successive’ Under AEDPA, Aug. 1, 2025
• $340,000 for Former Massachusetts Prisoner 
Whose Baby Was Stillborn, July 15, 2025
• New Jersey Supreme Court Refuses Guard’s Challenge to Firing 
for Failing to Report Kiss with Prisoner, July 15, 2025
• New York City Loses Bid to Withhold Jail Records, July 15, 2025
• Eleventh Circuit Announces New Deliberate Indifference 
Framework in Dismissing Georgia Prisoner’s Claim 
for Skipped Anti-Seizure Meds, July 15, 2025
• Washington Jail Settles DOJ Allegations of ADA Noncompliance 
in Failure to Treat Opioid Use Disorder, July 15, 2025
• Ohio Supreme Court Says Sheriff Must Get and Disclose 
Records of Private Contractors, July 15, 2025
• Third Circuit Rejects U.S. Sentencing Commission 
Amended Compassionate Release Policy, July 15, 2025
• South Carolina Prisoners Granted Class-Action Status in Suit 
Over Low Wages in Prison Industries Jobs, July 15, 2025

More from these topics:

• $95,000 Paid to Nevada Prisoner Denied 
Muslim Prayer; Pending Cases Allege Continued 
Discrimination Against Non-Protestants, Aug. 1, 2025. Religious Discrimination, Denial of Religious Services, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), Free Exercise Clause.
• Wiccan Nevada Prisoner Wins 18-Year Fight for Religious Items, July 15, 2025. Religious Discrimination, Denial of Religious Services, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
• Eleventh Circuit Revives Volunteer Pastor’s First Amendment Claim at Georgia Jail, May 1, 2025. First Amendment, Clergy, Proselytizing, First Amendment, rights.
• Lawsuits by Michigan Prisoner Yield $57,750 in Settlements, Plus Policy Changes, Jan. 15, 2025. Settlements, Denial of Religious Services, Religious Practices.
• Muslim New York Prisoner’s Free Exercise of Religion Claim Reinstated, Jan. 15, 2025. State Law Claims, Religious Freedom, Denial of Religious Services, Religious Freedom/Worship.
• Fifth Circuit Revives Texas Prisoner’s Suit Alleging Interference With His Muslim Religious Practice, Nov. 15, 2024. Religious Discrimination, Denial of Religious Services.
• Atheist Chaplain Attends Atheist Oklahoma Prisoner During Execution, June 1, 2024. Death Penalty/Death Row, Death Penalty, Death Row, Clergy.
• Fifth Circuit Revives Suit by Nation of Gods and Earth Prisoner Demanding Religious Recognition by Texas Prison Officials, May 1, 2023. Religious Freedom, Denial of Religious Services.
• Eleventh Circuit Says Passover Sign-Up Requirement in Florida Jail Passes Constitutional Muster, Jan. 1, 2023. Denial of Religious Services, Sabbaths, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
• Ninth Circuit Strikes Nevada Ban on Muslim Prisoner’s Scented Prayer Oil, Allows Conditions-of-Confinement Claim Also to Proceed, Aug. 1, 2022. Conditions of Confinement, Denial of Religious Services.