Systematic Problems Result in Closure of Florida Juvenile Facilities
by David M. Reutter
The systematic lack of training, supervision, and oversight at two Florida juvenile detention centers caused unconstitutional conditions of confinement, a report by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concludes. While the two facilities the DOJ ...
Fourth Circuit Finds PLRA Attorney Fee Cap Constitutional
by David M. Reutter
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals held on November 1, 2013 that the attorney fee provision of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) is constitutional. The ruling was in alignment with other appellate courts that have considered the ...
Alabama DOC Short Hair Policy Does Not Violate RLUIPA
by David M. Reutter
The Eleventh Circuit held in July 2013 that an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) policy requiring prisoners to maintain short hair does not violate their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The ...
Eleventh Circuit Tailors Turner for Censorship Claims at Civil Commitment Center
by David M. Reutter
On September 23, 2013, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a summary judgment order that upheld a civil commitment center’s policy which limited circulation of a detainee’s controversial newsletter among residents at the facility. ...
Alabama Work Release Transportation, Medical and Drug Screen Costs Not “Incidental to Confinement”
by David M. Reutter
Alabama’s Supreme Court has held that the plain language of § 14-8-6, Ala. Code 1975 does not prohibit the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) from collecting, over and above the 40% threshold established ...
Settlement Opens Georgia Courtrooms to the Public
by David M. Reutter
Human rights groups have applauded efforts to open Georgia courts to members of the public, putting an end to a widespread practice of courtrooms being declared off limits – a practice that was condemned as a violation of the ...
Private Debt Collection Companies Contract with District Attorney’s Offices
by David M. Reutter
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against companies that contract with prosecutors to collect debts in bad check cases because, opponents say, the firms contact debtors on official district attorney letterhead and use draconian tactics such as harassing ...
Qualified Immunity to Iowa DOC Director for Recalculating Prisoners’ Release Dates
by David M. Reutter
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a district court’s grant of qualified immunity in a civil rights action brought by four ex-prisoners who were held beyond their release dates.
The prisoners, Richard Scott, ...
ACLU Granted Preliminary Injunction Requiring Michigan Jail to Deliver Legal Mail
by David Reutter
A federal district court in Michigan granted a preliminary injunction that requires officials at the Livingston County Jail (LCJ) to deliver letters sent by the ACLU to specific prisoners and to return the mail if a ...
"Mass Chaos" Reigns at Georgia Prisons
by David M. Reutter
Five former Georgia prison guards have pleaded guilty and three were convicted by a federal jury in connection with a severe beating that left a handcuffed prisoner hospitalized with acute brain damage. The charges followed state and federal law enforcement ...
