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 Dale Chappell:

• Arguing Successful Federal Habeas Corpus Claims, June 1, 2025
• How to Take Your Postconviction Case Directly to the U.S. Supreme Court: A Roadmap to Direct Collateral Review, March 15, 2025
• Federal Habeas Corpus for State Prisoners: Proving Unreasonableness Under AEDPA, Feb. 1, 2025
• Federal Court Rules Michigan’s Sex Offender Registration Laws Violate Constitution, Dec. 1, 2024
• Refuting the Government’s Argument Against Nonretroactive Changes in Law as Grounds for Compassionate Release, Oct. 1, 2024
• Federal Habeas Corpus: Getting Around Procedural Default, July 15, 2024
• The Death of the Savings Clause, May 15, 2024
• Federal Habeas Corpus: Understanding Second or Successive Petitions for State Prisoners, April 15, 2024
• Fourth Circuit Reinstates Relief From Death Penalty, Citing State’s Forfeiture of Argument Against Relief, May 15, 2023
• Federal Habeas Corpus: The Evidentiary Hearing for Federal Prisoners, April 15, 2023

More from these topics:

• Fourth Circuit Revives North Carolina Prisoner’s Suit Blaming Lazy Guards for Assault by Detainee, May 1, 2026. Failure to Protect (General), Qualified Immunity, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Deliberate Indifference.
• Idaho DOC Director Denies Verified Report of Rampant Sexual Abuse of Women Prisoners by Staff, May 1, 2026. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Retaliatory Segregation, Prison Rape Elimination Act.
• $1.25 Million Paid for Special Needs Teen’s Fatal Beating in Houston Jail, May 1, 2026. Prisoner-Prisoner Assault, Failure to Protect (General), Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death), Failure to Treat (Mental Illness), Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
• Trump Approves Firing Squads for Federal Executions, May 1, 2026. Death Penalty, Domestic Violence, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Method of Execution, Hate Crimes.
• Seventh Circuit Upholds Liability but Reverses Damages in Lawsuit Over Illinois Warden and Investigator Using Prisoner as Bait to Catch Staff Member Raping Her, May 1, 2026. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Failure to Protect (General), Damages, Evidentiary Ruling, Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
• Nevada Non-Profit Founder Under Investigation for Misconduct, May 1, 2026. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Staff-Prisoner Harassment, Contractor Misconduct, Complaints, Restrictions, discrimination.
• $750,000 Paid by NaphCare for New York Jail Suicide, May 1, 2026. Naphcare, Jail Specific, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Suicides, Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
• Federal Jury Awards $307.6 Million to Former Michigan Prisoner After Corizon Refused Surgery, Forcing Him to Wear Colostomy Bag for Two Years, May 1, 2026. Corizon, Systemic Medical Neglect, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Damages - Compensatory, Deliberate Indifference.
• Idaho Struggles to Respond to Devasting Report of Widespread Prisoner Sex Abuse, April 1, 2026. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, Prison Rape Elimination Act, State Legislation, Public Records Act.
• $1 Million Paid by Cuyahoga County for Detainee’s Preventable Suicide in Cleveland Jail, April 1, 2026. Failure to Treat (Mental Illness), Suicides, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Monell Liability, Deliberate Indifference.