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. Florida Guards and Prisoners Fear COVID-19 Infection, by David Reutter
11. COVID-19 and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, by Edward Lyon
12. The Popularity of YouTube Prison Lifestyle Videos, by Anthony Accurso
13. Sixth Circuit Vacates Preliminary Injunction Regarding Elkton Prisoner Class Action, by Derek Gilna
14. Man Sentenced to One Year For Shoplifting Dies In Prison During Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
15. L.A. County Sheriff Says Prisoners Intentionally Tried to Catch Coronavirus to Get Released, by Dale Chappell
16. Secret BOP Document Raises Risk Factors, Security Levels of Prisoners
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. Sale of Clandestine Surveillance Equipment Available to the Government and “Select Clients”, by Kevin Bliss
22. ACLU Files Lawsuit Against CoreCivic Prison in Arizona over COVID-19 Failures, by Dale Chappell
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. Interview: Alec Karakatsanis of the Civil Rights Corps on Money Bail and Debtors’ Prisons, by Ken Silverstein
32. Orleans Parish Sheriff, Wellpath, Sued Over Louisiana Jail Prisoner’s Fatal Overdose, by Matthew Clarke
33. Policy Change Leads to Gang Riot at Utah Prison, by Kevin Bliss
34. Indiana Prisoner’s Suit Alleging Illegal Solitary Confinement Settled for $425,000, by Douglas Ankney
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. Report: JailCore Left Prisoners’ Data Unprotected Online, by Matthew Clarke
39. NaphCare, Oregon Jail’s Private Healthcare Provider, Required to Disclose Records in Detox Death Suit, by Mark Wilson
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. Oregon Federal Court: 8th and 14th Amendments Mandate Miller Hearing, by Mark Wilson
50. Texas Attorney General Finds GEO Documents Are Public Information, by Matthew Clarke
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 Kevin Bliss:

• After Florida Appellate Court Holds Crimes of ‘Attempt’ Eligible for Incentive Gain Time, Supreme Court Refuses Review, Jan. 15, 2025
• LGBTQ+ Detainees at Rikers Island Suffer Under Mayor Adams, Sept. 15, 2023
• Government Watchdog Adds BOP to List at “High Risk” of Mismanagement, Sept. 15, 2023
• At Massive and Corrupt Philippine Prison, Contraband Includes Jacuzzis and Horses, Sept. 15, 2023
• Second Circuit Affirms $600,000 Punitive Damage Award to New York Prisoner Brutally Beaten by Guards, Sept. 15, 2023
• Maryland Sheriff Charged with Illegally Procuring Machine Guns from ATF, Sept. 15, 2023
• Voting Rights Restoration for Virginia Ex-Felons Once Again Subject to Governor’s Whim, Sept. 15, 2023
• Prison Profiteer Who Chairs Christian Seminary Board Called Not Very ‘Christlike’, Aug. 15, 2023
• Menstruation Weaponized Against Women in Prison, Aug. 15, 2023
• Idaho Revives Firing Squads, Aug. 15, 2023

More from these topics:

• Failures Brought to Light in Arizona Prison System’s COVID-19 Response, March 1, 2025. Centurion, Systemic Medical Neglect, COVID-19.
• Nearly 800 California Prisoners Battle Huge Los Angeles Wildfires—for About $1 an Hour, Feb. 15, 2025. Prison Labor, Emergency Aid Doctrine, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Holds Witness Wearing Surgical Mask During Pandemic Is Denial of Sixth Amendment Right to Face-to-Face Confrontation and No General Exception to This Right for Pandemic or ‘Other Global Events’ Such as Wars and Natural, Feb. 15, 2025. COVID-19, Confrontation Clause/Rights, Practitioner Exception.
• Fourth Circuit: Baltimore County Prisoners May Qualify as Employees under FLSA, Jan. 15, 2025. Prison Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Washington Prisoners Prep for Firefighting Career After Release, Jan. 15, 2025. Prison Labor, Education, Post-release, ex-offender, re-entry, jobs, Emergency Aid Doctrine.
• California Supreme Court: Jail Detainees Not Entitled to Minimum Wage, or Any Wages, Dec. 15, 2024. Prison Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Angola Prisoners Granted Limited Relief From “Farm Line” Work, Nov. 15, 2024. Prison Labor, Grounds for Relief, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Identities Stolen From Virginia Jail Detainees For $341,205 COVID-19 Fraud, Nov. 15, 2024. COVID-19, Financial Institution - Definition, Identity Theft.
• Rural Areas Increasingly Reliant on Imprisoned Emergency Responders, Oct. 15, 2024. Prison Labor, Fire Hazards, Rural Prisons, Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Ninth Circuit Provides Cover to Oregon Governor for Prioritizing Guards Over Prisoners for COVID-19 Vaccine, Oct. 15, 2024. Systemic Medical Neglect, COVID-19, Guards/Staff.