More from this issue:

1. These Sheriffs Release Sick Inmates to Avoid Paying Their Hospital Bills, by Connor Sheets, AL.com, with ProPublica
2. North Carolina Prisoner Escapes to Flee Coronavirus Death Sentence, by David Reutter
3. From the Editor, by Paul Wright
4. Company Hawking Prison Phone Monitoring Technology as Way to Discover Coronavirus Infections, by Matthew Clarke
5. Thinking in a Pandemic: Let the People Go, by Joseph Margulies
6. BOP Loses Fight Against Orders to Release Ohio Prisoners Threatened By Coronavirus
7. Staying Alive: A Doctor’s Guide for Prisoners on Staying Safe During COVID-19 Pandemic, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
8. ‘Prisons Are No Place for a Pandemic:’ Advocates Fight to Free Their Loved Ones, by Victoria Law
9. Former Missouri Jail Prisoner Ordered to Repay $1.3 Million Settlement for Faking Injuries But Whereabouts Unknown, by Jayson Hawkins
10. GEO Jail in New York City Sees Rapid Spread of Coronavirus
11. Coronavirus Kills Michigan Prisoner Days Before His Release After Serving 44 Years, by Chad Marks
12. Prison Postcards: Official Accounts Differ from Prisoner Accounts as the Pandemic Spreads, by Ken Silverstein
13. Interview: David Fathi of ACLU’s National Prison Project on Criminal Justice Reform in the Age of Coronavirus, by Ken Silverstein
14. Coronavirus Pandemic Could Vastly Reduce Prison Voting, by David Reutter
15. Eleventh Circuit Says COVID-19-Wracked Miami Jail Can’t Be Forced to Give Prisoners Soap, Masks, by David M. Reutter
16. Ohio Prisoner with Coronavirus Released Without Use of Preventative Measures; Cases Inside Soaring, by Kevin Bliss
17. Large Scale Releases and Public Safety, by Peter Wagner
18. Alabama Reopens Ancient Prison to Quarantine COVID-19 Prisoners, by Edward Lyon
19. CoreCivic Detention Center Demanded Detainees Sign Liability Release to Receive Masks, by Kevin Bliss, David Reutter
20. COVID-19 Cases Soar at Federal Prisons in California; Half at Lompoc Have the Coronavirus, by Derek Gilna
21. Unsealed Documents Expose Treatment Failures at San Diego Jail, by Anthony Accurso
22. Federal Court Slams Michigan Jail for Bungling COVID-19 Pandemic, Demands Names of Vulnerable Prisoners for Release, by Christopher Zoukis
23. Prison Officials Limit Prisoner Communications During COVID-19 Crisis, by Derek Gilna
24. Rhode Island Corrections’ Union President Fined for Excessive Political Donations, by Bill Barton
25. Silence: The Bureau of Prisons’ Pathetic Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, by Christopher Zoukis
26. Hawaii Institutes Non-Contact Visits at Another Prison to Control Contraband, by Kevin Bliss
27. Number of California Prisoners Falling; Lifer Population Declines Slightly as Well, by Edward Lyon
28. New York Judge Orders Release of 18 Rikers Island Detainees Due to COVID-19 Risk, by Christopher Zoukis
29. Kansas County Jails People for Unpaid Medical Bills, by Douglas Ankney
30. $200,000 Awarded to Missouri Prison Guard Over Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, by Matthew Clarke
31. New ACLU Study Says COVID-19 Deaths in Prison Will Soar Without More Releases, Fewer Arrests, by Derek Gilna
32. Deplorable Conditions at South Carolina Prisons Prompt Call for UN Intervention, by Edward Lyon
33. Louisiana Governor’s Inaction Prevents Release of Grandmother Hospitalized with COVID-19, by Kevin Bliss
34. Report: Oaks of Justice Pitch to Help Prisoners Return Home Appears Shady, by Bill Barton
35. First Prisoners and Staff, Including a Warden, Dead from COVID-19 in Louisiana; Hundreds Infected, by David Reutter
36. Florida Continues to Use Slave Labor During Coronavirus Outbreak, by Kevin Bliss
37. Interview: Don Specter of the Prison Law Office on California Prisons, COVID-19 and Governor Newsom, by Ken Silverstein
38. Report: Tennessee Prison Population Climbs, Bucks Nationwide Trend, by David Reutter
39. Mississippi Jail to Stay Open Despite Massive “Financial Trouble”, by Chad Marks
40. Audit: Massachusetts Department of Corrections Failed to Provide Timely Health Care or Reentry Services, by Douglas Ankney
41. Nebraska Prison Employee Labor Agreement Contains Unusual Provision, by Matthew Clarke
42. Sandoval County, New Mexico Settles Public Records Lawsuit with Human Rights Defense Center, by Derek Gilna
43. Coronavirus Crisis: Wisconsin Releases Around 1,600 Prisoners, an ‘Inconsequential’ Number
44. New York Federal Guard Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexually Abusing Prisoners, by David Reutter
45. California Prison Reform Results in Housing Challenges for Former Prisoners, by Anthony Accurso
46. Sign the Papers! Alabama Prisoners Get Masks for COVID-19 but With Strings Attached, by Edward Lyon
47. HRDC Settles California Jail Censorship Suit for $143,500, Consent Decree, by Derek Gilna
48. More Than 200 Convicted of Corruption at Baltimore Department of Corrections; More Charges Announced, by Kevin Bliss
49. Innocence Project Working to Prove Arkansas Executed Innocent Man, by Edward Lyon
50. $500,000 Settlement for Colorado Prisoner Beaten During Seizure, by David Reutter
51. Tenth Circuit Reinstates Colorado Prisoner’s Claim that Requires BOP to Release Him from Imprisonment for Marijuana Possession, by Matthew Clarke
52. $500,000 Settlement From Psychiatrist for Failing to Treat New Mexico Prisoner Who Committed Suicide, by Matthew Clarke
53. Florida Prison Officials Ordered to Not Retaliate Against Prisoner, by David Reutter
54. Nevada Supreme Court Holds Firefighting Prisoner Cannot Challenge Worker’s Compensation Based on Prison Pay, by Matthew Clarke
55. $2,800 Verdict As Jury Finds Pennsylvania Jail Discriminated Against Women Prisoners in Reentry Center, by David Reutter
56. Tornado Rips Through South Carolina, Displacing Federal Prisoners, by Matthew Clarke
57. Gallup Poll Shows Growing Opposition to Death Penalty, by Douglas Ankney
58. Federal Judge Keeps Heat on Florida to Implement Amendment 4 Voter Restoration for Ex-Felons, by David Reutter
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 David Reutter:

• Help Wanted: 31,000 Prison Guard Jobs Open Nationwide, Sept. 1, 2025
• Fifth Circuit Greenlights Federal Takeover of Mississippi Jail, Aug. 1, 2025
• Ninth Circuit Revives Prisoner’s Claim Based on Guard’s 
Thwarting of Administrative Remedies, Aug. 1, 2025
• Tenth Circuit Ruling Paves Way for $2.7 Million Settlement 
for Intellectually Disabled Jail Detainee Raped by Sheriff, Aug. 1, 2025
• Ninth Circuit Agrees That Former Guantanamo Detainee 
Lacks Grounds to Sue for Waterboarding, Aug. 1, 2025
• Qualified Immunity Denied for Iowa Prison Doctor’s MRI Delay 
for Non-Medical Reasons, Aug. 1, 2025
• Ninth Circuit: Continuing-Violations Doctrine Applies 
for PLRA Administrative Exhaustion Purposes, Aug. 1, 2025
• First Circuit: Prosecutor’s Breach of Plea Agreement 
Requires Government’s Specific Performance of Agreement, 
Not Specific Performance by District Court, Aug. 1, 2025
• Oregon Prisoners Can Now Seek Economic Damages 
for Future Lost Income More Easily, July 15, 2025
• $22.5 Million Verdict Arrives Too Late for 
Wrongfully Convicted Illinois Prisoner, July 15, 2025

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.
• Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill to Penalize Private Prisons 
for High Mortality Rates, Aug. 1, 2025. Private Prisons, Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic.
• Sixth Circuit Order Sealing Records 
in Private Prison Shareholder Suit 
Vacated, Remanded, Aug. 1, 2025. Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic, Misconduct/Corruption, Public Records.