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Alabama Should Release Elder Prisoners at Risk for COVID-19
by Ed Lyon
The efficacy of states continuing to retain elderly prisoners has been questioned by corrections experts for decades. The problems with continuing to needlessly incarcerate senior prisoners has become even more germane amidst the ongoing coronavirus crisis as activists, along with prison reformists, urge Alabama to release its …
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More from this issue:
- Mississippi Prisons in Crisis, by David Reutter
- Rappers Jay-Z and Yo Gatti Help Prisoners in Mississippi Sue State Over “Inhumane and Unconstitutional Conditions”, by Bill Barton
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Florida’s Refusal to Release Prisoners During COVID-19 Resulting in Death Sentences, by David Reutter
- Prison Postcards: A Plea from Kentucky and Dispatches from Texas and Massachusetts, by Ken Silverstein
- Unlike U.S., Many Governments Releasing Large Numbers of Prisoners to Reduce Threat of COVID-19, by Matthew Clarke
- Status of the Pandemic Heading into Summer, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
- COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Unrest in Prisons Around the Globe, by Matthew Clarke
- $1 Million Payout to Family of Man Who Died After Seizures in Montana Jail, by Kevin Bliss
- COVID-19 and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, by Edward Lyon
- Florida Guards and Prisoners Fear COVID-19 Infection, by David Reutter
- Sixth Circuit Vacates Preliminary Injunction Regarding Elkton Prisoner Class Action, by Derek Gilna
- The Popularity of YouTube Prison Lifestyle Videos, by Anthony Accurso
- Man Sentenced to One Year For Shoplifting Dies In Prison During Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
- Secret BOP Document Raises Risk Factors, Security Levels of Prisoners
- L.A. County Sheriff Says Prisoners Intentionally Tried to Catch Coronavirus to Get Released, by Dale Chappell
- New York District Court Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction Against MCC Brooklyn, by Derek Gilna
- Who’s in SHU? A Survey of Solitary Confinement, by Terry A Kupers
- Reports: COVID-19 More Prevalent Than Reported in Nation’s Prisons and Jails, by Kevin Bliss
- Warden Reassigned From COVID-19 Inundated Louisiana Federal Prison, by Matthew Clarke
- ACLU Files Lawsuit Against CoreCivic Prison in Arizona over COVID-19 Failures, by Dale Chappell
- Sale of Clandestine Surveillance Equipment Available to the Government and “Select Clients”, by Kevin Bliss
- Michigan Prisoner’s Whistleblowing on GED Test Cheating Survives Summary Judgment, by David Reutter
- U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Texas Federal Judge’s Order Granting COVID-19 Relief to Elderly Prisoners, by Matthew Clarke
- Alabama Should Release Elder Prisoners at Risk for COVID-19, by Edward Lyon
- $1.15 Million Settlement After South Carolina Prisoner’s Baby Born, Dies in Toilet, by Edward Lyon
- With Lives of Immigrant Detainees at Risk to COVID-19, Federal Judge Forces ICE’s Hand, by Christopher Zoukis
- 11th Circuit Rules Florida Prisoner Claiming Sexual Assault by Guard Can Proceed With Cruel and Unusual Punishment Claim, by David Reutter
- Lawsuit Over Conditions at BOP’s New York City Prison Continues as COVID-19 Spreads, by David Reutter
- Oklahoma Jail Sued for Mocking Prisoner as He Died, by Dale Chappell
- Orleans Parish Sheriff, Wellpath, Sued Over Louisiana Jail Prisoner’s Fatal Overdose, by Matthew Clarke
- Interview: Alec Karakatsanis of the Civil Rights Corps on Money Bail and Debtors’ Prisons, by Ken Silverstein
- Indiana Prisoner’s Suit Alleging Illegal Solitary Confinement Settled for $425,000, by Douglas Ankney
- Policy Change Leads to Gang Riot at Utah Prison, by Kevin Bliss
- Pennsylvania Judge Verdict: A Potential Death Sentence for Shoplifting Conviction, by Edward Lyon
- Maine Court Rules Prisoner’s Rights Violated by 22 Months in Segregation Without Meaningful Review but Awards No Damages, by Matthew Clarke
- New Jersey Jail Detainee Dies While Reportedly Begging for Water, by Douglas Ankney
- NaphCare, Oregon Jail’s Private Healthcare Provider, Required to Disclose Records in Detox Death Suit, by Mark Wilson
- Report: JailCore Left Prisoners’ Data Unprotected Online, by Matthew Clarke
- Federal Court Allows Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault of Female Connecticut Prisoner to Proceed, by Matthew Clarke
- Ninth Circuit Announces New Rule on Eighth Amendment Violation Due to Sexual Assault by Montana Prison Staffer, by Dale Chappell
- Ninth Circuit Reverses Summary Judgment in California Sexual Harassment Case, by David Reutter
- California Court of Appeal Upholds Dismissal of Challenge to Excessive Jail Phone Rates as Unconstitutional Tax, by Matthew Clarke
- Ex Post Facto Oregon Parole Postponement Claim Not Cognizable in §2254 Proceeding, by Mark Wilson
- High School Journalists Garner National Attention by Exposing School’s Use of Prisoner Labor, by Douglas Ankney
- Florida’s “Pay-to-Vote” System Struck Down, by David Reutter
- Sexual Assault of Colorado Prisoner Deemed Constitutional Violation; Her Case Can Proceed, by David Reutter
- Delaware Changes Prison Health Care Provider Due to Lawsuits Against Prior Contract Holder, by Jayson Hawkins
- Texas Attorney General Finds GEO Documents Are Public Information, by Matthew Clarke
- Oregon Federal Court: 8th and 14th Amendments Mandate Miller Hearing, by Mark Wilson
- Rhode Island Pays $380,419 to Settle Prison Guard Hiring Discrimination Suit, by Matthew Clarke
- HRDC Prevails in Censorship Suit Against Kentucky Prison System, Wins $104,711, by David Reutter
- Former Prisoners Shut Out of Coronavirus Loans, by Jayson Hawkins
- Connecticut City Settles Suit Over Prisoner’s Suicide for $1,393,000, by Matthew Clarke
- Former CoreCivic Nurse in Colorado Claims Sex Discrimination, Retaliation After Filing Complaint About Poor Medical Care, by Dale Chappell
- COVID-19 Changes the Face of Education in the Nation’s Prison Systems, by Kevin Bliss
- Florida Prisoners Win 3.9 Million in Media Credits in MP3 Player Lawsuit, by David Reutter
- Prisoners Replace New Orleans Sanitation Workers Striking for Coronavirus Hazard Pay, by Kevin Bliss
- News in Brief
More from Edward Lyon:
- “There you go, Agent Orange!” Former South Carolina Sheriff Federally Indicted for Assaulting Jail Detainee, May 1, 2024
- Texas Prisons are Fire Traps, July 15, 2023
- The World’s Biggest Prison, July 15, 2023
- U.S. Prisoner Numbers Slowly Declining, June 15, 2023
- Civilian Police With Military Equipment, June 15, 2023
- California Easing Housing Hurdles for Released Prisoners, June 1, 2023
- Warden Ousted from Troubled Alabama Prison After DUI Arrest, May 1, 2023
- $20,000 Settlement for Ohio Prisoner’s Slip-and-Fall Injury, May 1, 2023
- $32,500 Medical Malpractice Award to Ohio Prisoner for Ripped-Out Catheter, May 1, 2023
- New York State’s Veterans Treatment Courts, April 15, 2023
More from these topics:
- Help Wanted: 31,000 Prison Guard Jobs Open Nationwide, Sept. 1, 2025. Conditions of Confinement, Failure to Protect (General), Staffing, Exercise, Lockdowns, Control Units/SHU/Solitary Confinement, Guards/Staff, Staff Training.
- Fifth Circuit Greenlights Federal Takeover of Mississippi Jail, Aug. 1, 2025. Sexual Assault, Failure to Protect (General), Eighth Amendment, Staffing, Stun Guns/Tasers.
- After Judge’s Letter, at Least 22 Former FCI Dublin Prisoners Granted Compassionate Release, Aug. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Failure to Protect (General), Release and Reentry, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Compassionate Release.
- Alabama DOC Attorneys Reprimanded for Filing AI-Written Briefs in Prisoner’s Suit, Aug. 1, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Attorney Misconduct.
- DOJ Inspects BOP Food Service Operations, Finds Troubling Issues at Multiple Facilities, Aug. 1, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Food, Staffing.
- Ninth Circuit: Continuing-Violations Doctrine Applies for PLRA Administrative Exhaustion Purposes, Aug. 1, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA), Grievances, Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
- Nebraska Considers Curbing Double-Bunking in Restrictive Housing, Aug. 1, 2025. Failure to Protect (General), Overcrowding, Bedding.
- Former Oregon Prison Guard Sergeant Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Imprisoned Women, Aug. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Failure to Protect (General), Guard Brutality/Beatings.
- Fourth Circuit Announces Sentencing Disparity Between Defendant and Co-Defendants Alone Constitutes ‘Extraordinary and Compelling’ Reason Sufficient to Justify Compassionate Release, Aug. 1, 2025. Sentencing Disparity, Failure To Consider Disparity, Length of Co-Defendant's Sentence, Disparity Among Co-Defendants, Compassionate Release.
- Third Circuit Rejects U.S. Sentencing Commission Amended Compassionate Release Policy, July 15, 2025. U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Compassionate Release.

