Search | Prison Legal News

Mere Possibility of Parole Insufficient to Prevent Texas Prisoners’ Parental Rights Termination

Article • October 15, 2007 • from PLN October, 2007

Filed under: Juveniles, Family Law, Fathers in Prison, Mothers in Prison

Mere Possibility of Parole Insufficient to Prevent Texas Prisoners’ Parental Rights Termination by Matthew Clarke The Texas Supreme Court held that the mere possibility of parole within the two-year imprisonment requirement of § 161.001(1)(Q), Texas Family Code, was insufficient to prevent termination of a prisoner's parental rights. William Keith M. …

On Appeal Texas Prisoner Acquitted of Damaging Jail Furnishing

Article • October 15, 2007 • from PLN October, 2007

Filed under: Crime/Demographics, Criminal Prosecution

On Appeal Texas Prisoner Acquitted of Damaging Jail Furnishing by A Texas court of appeals acquitted a Texas jail prisoner of criminal mischief charges for allegedly damaging jail furnishings because the state failed to provide any evidence of the value of the furnishings. Jaccob Aaron Merwin, a prisoner in the …

Texas Pays $250,000 for Lingering Death of Teen Prisoner

Article • October 15, 2007 • from PLN October, 2007

Filed under: Misconduct/Corruption, Contractor Misconduct, ENT, Medical Neglect/Malpractice

Texas Pays $250,000 for Lingering Death of Teen Prisoner by Michael Rigby In November 2006 the State of Texas paid $250,000 to settle with the family of Charles Billops, Jr., a teenager who died from an undiagnosed brain abscess caused by a sinus infection while imprisoned in 2003. The settlement …

M.P. v. Texas Youth Commission, TX, Judgment, OC Pepper Spray, 2007

Brief • September 28, 2007

Filed under: Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Juvenile Prisons

M.P. v. Texas Youth Commission, TX, Judgment, OC Pepper Spray, 2007 Cause No. D-I-GN-07-002998 M.P., by and through his next friend, A.T.; D.M., by and through his next friend, N. J.; and E.B., by and through her next friend, E.R., Plaintiffs, vs. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION and DIMITRIA D. POPE, in …

Houston Jail Has Highest Number of Deaths in Texas: 101

Article • September 15, 2007 • from PLN September, 2007

Filed under: Systemic Medical Neglect, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Skin, Conditions of Confinement, Totality of Conditions, Sewage, Sanitation, Stun Guns/Tasers, Medical Neglect/Malpractice

Houston Jail Has Highest Number of Deaths in Texas: 101 by Gary Hunter Between 2001 and 2006, 101 prisoners died while in custody at Houston's Harris County Jail, more than in any other Texas county. Dallas County's jail had 70 deaths over the same period. The Harris County Jail has …

Refusal to Give Nitro Tablets to Prisoner With Chest Pain Actionable

Article • September 15, 2007 • from PLN September, 2007

Filed under: Medical, Medication, Cardiovascular

Refusal to Give Nitro Tablets to Prisoner With Chest Pain Actionable by Matthew Clarke by Matthew T. Clarke The Fifth Circuit court of appeals held that a prisoner with a history of heart trouble who was denied any treatment for his chest pain could sue the nurse who denied him …

Management & Training Corp. Struggles to Maintain Market Share

Article • September 15, 2007 • from PLN September, 2007

Filed under: Out of State Transfers, Staff-Prisoner Assault, Management and Training Corporation, Contractor Misconduct, Government Misconduct, Organizing, Prison Rebellion, Strip Searches, Arrestee Searches, Failure to Protect (General), Immigration, Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death), Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Suicides, Assaults on Staff, Employee Litigation

Management & Training Corp. Struggles to Maintain Market Share by Gary Hunter For-profit private prison operator Management & Training Corporation (MTC) has recently lost lucrative contracts to run prisons in the United States and Canada. While the private prison industry is dominated by industry giants Corrections Corporation of America, Geo …

Texas Must Afford Prisoners Due Process in Trust Fund Garnishment

Article • September 15, 2007 • from PLN September, 2007

Filed under: Civil Procedure, Costs, Seizure of Prisoner Funds

Texas Must Afford Prisoners Due Process in Trust Fund Garnishment by Matthew Clarke by Matthew T. Clarke In an unprecedented decision, a Texas court of appeals held that the state must give a prisoner notice and other due process protection when garnishing his trust fund for payment of criminal fines. …

Texas Court of Appeals Reverses Termination of Prisoner’s Parental Rights

Article • September 15, 2007 • from PLN September, 2007

Filed under: Family, Fathers in Prison, Mothers in Prison

Texas Court of Appeals Reverses Termination of Prisoner’s Parental Rights by Matthew Clarke Texas Court of Appeals Reverses Termination of Prisoner's Parental Rights by Matthew T. Clarke A Texas court of appeals held that when terminating a prisoner's parental rights the two-year period of incarceration used to justify the termination …

M.P. v. Texas Youth Commission, TX, Petition, Pepper Spray, 2007

Brief • September 12, 2007

Filed under: Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Juvenile Prisons

M.P. v. Texas Youth Commission, TX, Petition, Pepper Spray, 2007 M.P., by and through his next friend, A.T., D.M., by and through his next friend, N.J., and E.B., by and through her next friend, E.R. Plaintiffs v. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION and DIMITRIA D. POPE, in her official capacity as Acting …

Texas Prison System Faces Critical Guard Shortage

Article • August 15, 2007 • from PLN August, 2007

Filed under: Conditions of Confinement, Overcrowding, Staffing

Texas Prison System Faces Critical Guard Shortage by Matthew Clarke by Matthew T. Clarke The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is understaffed by 3,152 guards, a 12% deficit compared to full staffing. The shortage has grown each year from an average of 8.5% in 2004. Some prison units have …

We’ll Lock Up Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free

Article • August 15, 2007 • from PLN August, 2007

Filed under: Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic, Totality of Conditions, International, Immigration

We’ll Lock Up Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free by Amy Goodman We'll Lock Up Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free by Amy Goodman "I want to be free. I want to go outside, and I want to go to …

$140,000 Settlement in Death of Asthmatic Texas Prisoner

Article • August 15, 2007 • from PLN August, 2007

Filed under: Medication, Systemic Medical Neglect, Respiratory, Conditions of Confinement, Showers, Exposure to Heat, Medical Neglect/Malpractice

$140,000 Settlement in Death of Asthmatic Texas Prisoner by Michael Rigby The Texas Department of Criminal Justice will pay $140,000 to settle a federal lawsuit stemming from the needless asthma-related death of a prisoner at the McConnell prison unit in August 2004. At least six guards and a nurse were …

Texas Court Ordered to Accept Prisoners’ Correspondence