Articles by Jo Ellen Knott

“Large Fight” Broke Out at Alaska Prison After Downsizing Effort

Loaded on April 1, 2026 by Jo Ellen Knott published in Prison Legal News April, 2026, page 14

Filed under: Transfers, Cost of Prison Systems, Totality of Conditions, Failure to Protect (General), Overcrowding. Location: Alaska.

by Jo Ellen Knott

The Alaska Beacon reported that the state’s “cost-cutting” downsizing measures backfired when a costly riot broke out at the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward. On January 24, 2026, a massive brawl involving 50 prisoners erupted at Spring Creek, the state’s only maximum-security prison. …

More Measles Cases Detected at Jails in New Mexico and Texas

Loaded on April 1, 2026 by Jo Ellen Knott published in Prison Legal News April, 2026, page 17

Filed under: Private Prisons, Contagious Disease -- Misc., Overcrowding, Jail Specific, Immigration Detention. Locations: New Mexico, Texas.

by Jo Ellen Knott

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirmed a third measles case at the Doña Ana County jail, bringing the state’s total to 13 so far this year, all occurring within Southern New Mexico carceral facilities. According to Searchlight New Mexico, the second case …