More from this issue:

1. Mississippi Prisons in Crisis, by David Reutter
2. Rappers Jay-Z and Yo Gatti Help Prisoners in Mississippi Sue State Over “Inhumane and Unconstitutional Conditions”, by Bill Barton
3. From the Editor, by Paul Wright
4. Florida’s Refusal to Release Prisoners During COVID-19 Resulting in Death Sentences, by David Reutter
5. Prison Postcards: A Plea from Kentucky and Dispatches from Texas and Massachusetts, by Ken Silverstein
6. Unlike U.S., Many Governments Releasing Large Numbers of Prisoners to Reduce Threat of COVID-19, by Matthew Clarke
7. Status of the Pandemic Heading into Summer, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
8. COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Unrest in Prisons Around the Globe, by Matthew Clarke
9. $1 Million Payout to Family of Man Who Died After Seizures in Montana Jail, by Kevin Bliss
10. COVID-19 and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, by Edward Lyon
11. Florida Guards and Prisoners Fear COVID-19 Infection, by David Reutter
12. Sixth Circuit Vacates Preliminary Injunction Regarding Elkton Prisoner Class Action, by Derek Gilna
13. The Popularity of YouTube Prison Lifestyle Videos, by Anthony Accurso
14. Man Sentenced to One Year For Shoplifting Dies In Prison During Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
15. Secret BOP Document Raises Risk Factors, Security Levels of Prisoners
16. L.A. County Sheriff Says Prisoners Intentionally Tried to Catch Coronavirus to Get Released, by Dale Chappell
17. New York District Court Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction Against MCC Brooklyn, by Derek Gilna
18. Who’s in SHU? A Survey of Solitary Confinement, by Terry A Kupers
19. Reports: COVID-19 More Prevalent Than Reported in Nation’s Prisons and Jails, by Kevin Bliss
20. Warden Reassigned From COVID-19 Inundated Louisiana Federal Prison, by Matthew Clarke
21. ACLU Files Lawsuit Against CoreCivic Prison in Arizona over COVID-19 Failures, by Dale Chappell
22. Sale of Clandestine Surveillance Equipment Available to the Government and “Select Clients”, by Kevin Bliss
23. Michigan Prisoner’s Whistleblowing on GED Test Cheating Survives Summary Judgment, by David Reutter
24. U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Texas Federal Judge’s Order Granting COVID-19 Relief to Elderly Prisoners, by Matthew Clarke
25. Alabama Should Release Elder Prisoners at Risk for COVID-19, by Edward Lyon
26. $1.15 Million Settlement After South Carolina Prisoner’s Baby Born, Dies in Toilet, by Edward Lyon
27. With Lives of Immigrant Detainees at Risk to COVID-19, Federal Judge Forces ICE’s Hand, by Christopher Zoukis
28. 11th Circuit Rules Florida Prisoner Claiming Sexual Assault by Guard Can Proceed With Cruel and Unusual Punishment Claim, by David Reutter
29. Lawsuit Over Conditions at BOP’s New York City Prison Continues as COVID-19 Spreads, by David Reutter
30. Oklahoma Jail Sued for Mocking Prisoner as He Died, by Dale Chappell
31. Orleans Parish Sheriff, Wellpath, Sued Over Louisiana Jail Prisoner’s Fatal Overdose, by Matthew Clarke
32. Interview: Alec Karakatsanis of the Civil Rights Corps on Money Bail and Debtors’ Prisons, by Ken Silverstein
33. Indiana Prisoner’s Suit Alleging Illegal Solitary Confinement Settled for $425,000, by Douglas Ankney
34. Policy Change Leads to Gang Riot at Utah Prison, by Kevin Bliss
35. Pennsylvania Judge Verdict: A Potential Death Sentence for Shoplifting Conviction, by Edward Lyon
36. Maine Court Rules Prisoner’s Rights Violated by 22 Months in Segregation Without Meaningful Review but Awards No Damages, by Matthew Clarke
37. New Jersey Jail Detainee Dies While Reportedly Begging for Water, by Douglas Ankney
38. NaphCare, Oregon Jail’s Private Healthcare Provider, Required to Disclose Records in Detox Death Suit, by Mark Wilson
39. Report: JailCore Left Prisoners’ Data Unprotected Online, by Matthew Clarke
40. Federal Court Allows Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault of Female Connecticut Prisoner to Proceed, by Matthew Clarke
41. Ninth Circuit Announces New Rule on Eighth Amendment Violation Due to Sexual Assault by Montana Prison Staffer, by Dale Chappell
42. Ninth Circuit Reverses Summary Judgment in California Sexual Harassment Case, by David Reutter
43. California Court of Appeal Upholds Dismissal of Challenge to Excessive Jail Phone Rates as Unconstitutional Tax, by Matthew Clarke
44. Ex Post Facto Oregon Parole Postponement Claim Not Cognizable in §2254 Proceeding, by Mark Wilson
45. High School Journalists Garner National Attention by Exposing School’s Use of Prisoner Labor, by Douglas Ankney
46. Florida’s “Pay-to-Vote” System Struck Down, by David Reutter
47. Sexual Assault of Colorado Prisoner Deemed Constitutional Violation; Her Case Can Proceed, by David Reutter
48. Delaware Changes Prison Health Care Provider Due to Lawsuits Against Prior Contract Holder, by Jayson Hawkins
49. Texas Attorney General Finds GEO Documents Are Public Information, by Matthew Clarke
50. Oregon Federal Court: 8th and 14th Amendments Mandate Miller Hearing, by Mark Wilson
51. Rhode Island Pays $380,419 to Settle Prison Guard Hiring Discrimination Suit, by Matthew Clarke
52. HRDC Prevails in Censorship Suit Against Kentucky Prison System, Wins $104,711, by David Reutter
53. Former Prisoners Shut Out of Coronavirus Loans, by Jayson Hawkins
54. Connecticut City Settles Suit Over Prisoner’s Suicide for $1,393,000, by Matthew Clarke
55. Former CoreCivic Nurse in Colorado Claims Sex Discrimination, Retaliation After Filing Complaint About Poor Medical Care, by Dale Chappell
56. COVID-19 Changes the Face of Education in the Nation’s Prison Systems, by Kevin Bliss
57. Florida Prisoners Win 3.9 Million in Media Credits in MP3 Player Lawsuit, by David Reutter
58. Prisoners Replace New Orleans Sanitation Workers Striking for Coronavirus Hazard Pay, by Kevin Bliss
59. News in Brief

More from David Reutter:

• Sixth Circuit Announces State-Law Exceptions to Appeal Deadlines Preserve “Pending” Status Under AEDPA, Holding Belated-Appeal Procedures Toll Federal Habeas Limitations Period, April 1, 2026
• Florida Supreme Court Announces Rule 3.170(f)’s Good-Cause Plea-Withdrawal Standard Does Not Apply at Post-Appeal Resentencing, April 1, 2026
• Colorado Supreme Court Announces Defendant Must Be Competent Before Undergoing Mental-Condition Examination Under § 16-8-107(3)(b), April 1, 2026
• California Court of Appeal Announces Plea Agreements Cannot Bar § 1172.1 Resentencing, Holds Merit-Based Denial of Petition Is Appealable, April 1, 2026
• Georgia Supreme Court Clarifies That Failure to Object to Ineligible Juror Does Not Constitute Waiver Unless Party Knew or Could Have Discovered Ineligibility Through Ordinary Diligence, April 1, 2026
• Washington State Guard’s Conviction Affirmed in Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Scheme, March 1, 2026
• Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Holds Motion Judge Abused Discretion by Denying Evidentiary Hearing on IAC Claim Where Plea Counsel’s Affidavit Was Not Inherently Inconsistent With Colloquy Statements Regarding Immigration Advice, March 1, 2026
• Washington Supreme Court Clarifies Double Jeopardy Analysis for Multiple Assault Convictions, Holding That Assaultive Acts Occurring Over Short Time Period in Same Location Without Intervening Events Constitute Single Course of Conduct, March 1, 2026
• New Jersey Supreme Court Reverses Drug Convictions Under Cumulative Error Doctrine, Holding Combined Effect of Improper References to Television Series, Gun Violence, and Search Warrants Deprived Defendant of Fair Trial, March 1, 2026
• New York Court of Appeals Announces Coercive Police Tactics Compelling Suspect to Exit Home Constitute “Constructive Entry” Violating Payton, Holds Attenuation Analysis Applies to Third-Party Consent, March 1, 2026

More from these topics:

• South Dakota Sobriety Program Participants Will No Longer Be Jailed for Non-Payment of Fees, March 1, 2026. Settlements, Class Certification, Fourteenth Amendment, rights, Unlawful Detention, Ability to Pay.
• California Supreme Court Announces Excessive Fines Clauses Are the Proper Method to Challenge Punitive Fines, Holds Equal Protection Requires Courts to Consider Defendant’s Inability to Pay Before Imposing Certain Ancillary Assessments Upon Request, Feb. 1, 2026. Constitution, U.S., Constitution, state, Equal Protection Clause/Claims, Fines, Ability to Pay.
• Report on “Pay-­to-­Stay” Fees Makes Strong Case for Their Repeal, Jan. 1, 2026. Racial Discrimination, Medical Expenses, Cost of Prison Systems, housing, Ability to Pay.
• Kentucky Supreme Court Voids Prisoner’s $10,972 Jail Fee, July 15, 2025. Booking Fees, Supervision Fee, Ability to Pay.
• Florida’s “Pay to Stay” Law: A Second Sentence for Former Prisoners, May 1, 2025. Ability to Pay.
• Medical Copays Blamed for Reducing Prisoner Access to Healthcare, May 1, 2025. Medical Misconduct, Medical Expenses, Ability to Pay.
• Missouri Repeals “Pay-to-Stay” Law, May 1, 2025. Cost of Prison Systems, Costs, Ability to Pay.
• Fines and Fees Destroy the Impoverished and Perpetuate Mass Incarceration, Jan. 15, 2025. Effects of Mass Incarceration, Ability to Pay.
• $3.25 Million Settlement Reached With Defendants Jailed in Missouri “Debtor’s Prison” for Unpaid Fines, Fees, Oct. 15, 2023. Settlements, Indigent Defendants - Fees and Expenses, Ability to Pay, Inmate Financial Responsibility Program (IFRP).
• Corizon Executes “Texas Two-Step,” Spinning Off Debt Into Bankrupt New Firm to Avoid Paying Creditors and Lawsuit Winners, Aug. 15, 2023. Corizon, Settlements, Ability to Pay.