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Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a drug addiction twelve step-recovery program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which describes itself as a altruistic "fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem", and it is the second-largest 12-step organization. As of 2007 there were more than 43,900 NA meetings in 127 countries.  The program is group-oriented, and is based on the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, adapted from AA.

The only requirement for membership is "a desire to stop using," and members "meet regularly to help each other stay clean," where "clean" is defined as complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering substances (including alcohol and marijuana).  Membership in NA is free, and there are no dues or fees. The foundation of the Narcotics Anonymous program is the twelve steps and twelve traditions.

Narcotics Anonymous "has no opinion on outside issues," including those of politics, science, or medicine, and does not endorse any outside organization or institution. The fellowship does not promote itself, but rather attracts new members through public information and outreach. NA groups and areas supply outside organizations with factual information regarding the NA program, and individual members may carry the NA message to hospitals and institutions, such as treatment centers and jails. 

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

The scope of AA's program is much broader than just changing drinking behavior. Its goal is to effect enough change in the alcoholic's thinking "to bring about recovery from alcoholism" while abstaining from alcohol, one day at a time. A spiritual awakening is achieved from following the Twelve Steps, and sobriety is furthered by volunteering for AA and regular AA meeting attendance or contact with AA members. Members are encouraged to find an experienced fellow alcoholic called a sponsor to help them understand and follow the AA program. The sponsor should preferably have experience of all twelve of the steps, be the same gender as the sponsored person, and refrain from imposing personal views on the sponsored person. Following the helper therapy principle, sponsors in AA benefit as much, if not more, from their relationship than do those they sponsor. Helping behaviors correlate with increased abstinence and lower probabilities of binge drinking.
Check-out their website at:             www.aa.org 

The National Resource Center
on Children and Families of the Incarcerated at Family &
Corrections Network  (FCN)

On any given day, there are an estimated two (2) million children in America with at least one parent in prison or jail.

NRCCFI at FCN is the oldest and largest organization in the U.S. focused on children and families of the incarcerated and programs that serve them.

Since 1983, Family and Corrections Network (FCN) has provided ways for those concerned with families of the incarcerated to share information and experiences in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We have done this through publishing, sponsoring conferences, liaisons with other agencies, and by providing consultations to organizations and agencies around the US and Canada. We have published information on children of the incarcerated, programs for parenting from prison, prison visiting, incarcerated fathers, hospitality programs and a variety of other topics. Our mission is to uphold the value of families of the incarcerated and provide support to programs that serve them.



www.fcnetwork.org 

Caught.net is a COLLABORATIVE website set up to perpetuate itself.   Aggrieved Citizens are the editors.  Rhode Island is a primary focus but complaints are submitted from all over the country.  While the nature of caught.net demands oversight on submissions, caught.net is designed to perpetuate itself like a "MySpace" without the site being identified with any group or individuals.  The Internet allows caught.net to be run from anywhere by anyone.  If one server goes down, another one will publish the site.  If one manager or editor dies or quits the cause, another Citizen picks it up.  Multiple copies of caught.net are maintained to avoid crashes, hacks or other contingencies.  Caught.net is not about who is hosting, managing or screening complaints.  Caught.net is about exposing injustice, educating the public and improving our legal system.  Caught.net will always remain focused on the cause of exposing injustice without being affected, negated or destroyed by individuals, groups, politics or anything else.

By exposing attorney misconduct, judicial misconduct and prosecutorial misconduct committed by judges, lawyers and prosecutors, it is our hope we can all work towards improving our justice system.

• Handling Police Encounters
• How To Deal With A Bad Judge
• Judges That Have Committed Judicial Misconduct
• Attorney Misconduct Is Rampant
• Jury and Prosecutorial Misconduct 
• Wrongful Convictions

Inmates complain about limited showering

By James Gilbert, Sun Staff Writer

Something stinks at the Yuma County Jail, and some of the maximum security inmates being held there say it could be them.

At least two maximum security inmates have recently written to the Yuma Sun complaining about only being allowed to take three showers a week.

"This is cruelty and unjust," an inmate stated in a postcard mailed to the newspaper.  "We are not animals, yet we get treated as so. This is completely wrong."

The other postcard stated: "This is unsanitary at best of times, much less when you take a large group of people, stick them in a 9-by-10 foot cell for 24 hours a day with no fresh air."

Both postcards also included remarks stressing that not being able to shower as frequently as inmates in the general population, has created animosity among maximum security inmates to the jail staff and its supervisors.

However, Capt. Eben Bratcher, spokesman for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, said the inmates who are being held in maximum security are there for a reason.

"They are in a special handling area and are there based on their behavior," Bratcher said. "They have earned their risk classification."

One of the inmates wrote in his postcard that he felt the shower policy was just another attempt to take away the inmate's rights.

"I refuse to have my rights taken away because Yuma County won't use their budget wisely," the inmate wrote to the Yuma Sun.

Capt. Mark Martinez explained that the Arizona Department of Corrections also limits the number of showers maximum security inmates can take and the county jail also recently began doing so as a way to help save money.

"It is one of those things we are trying to do to cut costs," Martinez said. "That is not to say we won't ever change it."

Martinez explained that maximum security inmates are much more labor-intensive and require more supervision from at least one or two detention officers whenever they are out of their cells.

By reducing the number of showers for maximum security inmates, Martinez said the jail also cuts down on staffing costs.

Under current Yuma County Adult Detention Center policies, inmates in the general population can shower whenever they want.

The reason for this, Martinez said, is that they are better behaved and thus do not require the same intense level of staff supervision that maximum security inmates do.   

"(Inmates in general population) are in a lower risk custody area because they behave better," Martinez said. "As a result they have more liberties."

Martinez went on to explain that maximum security inmates have a basin in their cells with hot and cold running water, as well as washcloths and towels, so they have the opportunity to wash off whenever they want.

Additionally if a maximum security inmates goes to the recreation yard, or has a court appearance scheduled for the next day, they can have an extra shower.

Also, once an inmate has earned a lower risk classification, which is gained by following jail rules, they are returned to general population and can once again take a shower they want.

Prison Security Levels Explained

Low|Minimum|Medium|Maximum

Due to all prison facilities having their own standard numbering systems when it came to the type of incarceration they provided, we decided to have four (4) major groups to make it easier to follow:

LOW: This includes Work Farms, Boot Camps, Forestry Camps, etc. Basically these are either first time low-risk offenders or inmates who have worked themselves up in the system and are possibly on their way out of prison. It does sound strange that an inmate would work themselves up in the system starting at a (possible) Level 4 MAXIMUM - but that is how good behavior is rewarded. Being considered low risk, affords the inmate to better living conditions and a few more freedoms. They have earned the trust of the institution. This is why we believe its imperative to tell your family member to steer clear of any trouble during their incarceration.

MINIMUM: This category is meant for inmates coming up in their time or those inmates that have committed a less severe crime. This level of inmate can be trusted and is usually designated as a form of trustee or in a trusted work detail.

MEDIUM: This Level 3 inmate is typical of any placement for someone headed to prison. You must earn the trust from the staff at all levels to work your way up. This level of inmate has some rights and freedoms, but not many.

MAXIMUM: This level of inmate is typically in lockdown most of their time and are usually the more violent or feared members of the population. To be housed at this level the inmate must have performed an extremely violent crime (in or outside of prison). There are basically no freedoms unless the Max inmate is housed with other max inmates - and often then they are only allowed out for one hour per day. This is not always the case with every prison, jail or detention facility. Some offer multiple programs and allow limited movement, classes, details and freedom for all inmates. It is solely upon the prison and its rules. Use the Inmate lookup tool on your right to find the prison you will be housed at or a loved one is housed presently.

We also designated any facility that was an Administrative (Headquarters) or Medical Facility:

ADMINISTRATION  HEADQUARTERS: This is the actual facility headquarters where most office personnel in a support position work on a daily basis.

MEDICAL DETENTION FACILITY: These facilities are normally staffed with low risk inmates as maintenance workers or maximum risk inmates with psychological troubles. Again, each facility is extremely different. Check with the facility locator on your left.

We found that most prison facilities to include county jails and detention centers used a similar system to categorize up to what level inmate could be admitted to the facility. Some even had MAXIMUM in one area and MINIMUM or LOW in another. The use of MINIMUM inmates we found is primarily for food-service, maintenance or other position within the prison.

So, to describe the capacity of each prison we had to came up with a simple order of categorizing the type of prisoner they were holding.

For instance: if a facility had only LOW category inmates, that facility would have a score of 1, it being the only type of inmate allowed in the prison. If the same facility had LOW and MINIMUM - that facility would then be scored a 5.

Here Is The Breakdown of Classifications:

LEVEL 1  LOW
LEVEL 2  MINIMUM
LEVEL 3  MEDIUM
LEVEL 4  MAXIMUM
LEVEL 5  LOW + MINIMUM
LEVEL 6  MINIMUM + MEDIUM
LEVEL 7  MEDIUM + MAXIMUM
LEVEL 8  LOW + MEDIUM
LEVEL 9  MINIMUM + MAXIMUM
LEVEL 10  LOW + MAXIMUM
LEVEL11  LOW + MINIMUM + 
MEDIUM + MAXIMUM
LEVEL14  LOW + MINIMUM + 
MEDIUM
LEVEL15  MINIMUM + MEDIUM + 
MAXIMUM
LEVEL16  LOW + MEDIUM + 
MAXIMUM
LEVEL17  LOW + MINIMUM + 
MAXIMUM

See more at:    www.jailguide.com 

While the artistry of photographers like Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and Yousuf Karsh provides the images of the powerful that will go down in history, TSG actually prefers the work of some more obscure shutterbugs. We’re talking about the countless clerks, cops, and sheriff's deputies who handle the impromptu photo shoots with the rich and famous who’ve landed in the pokey.

Without the aid of fancy lighting, makeup, and wardrobe, these little works of mug shot art--taken with Instamatic, Polaroid, and digital cameras at law enforcement agencies nationwide--are perhaps the most candid photos of celebrities (and other public figures) that you’ll see.

Along with the starlets and superstar athletes, we've included some of TSG's favorite mug shots, images of the not-so-famous that chronicle the rich assortment of American misbehavior.

Stanford Prison Experiment

A Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment Conducted at Stanford University

Welcome to the Stanford Prison Experiment web site, which features an extensive slide show and information about this classic psychology experiment, including parallels with the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. What happens when you put good people in an evil place? Does humanity win over evil, or does evil triumph? These are some of the questions we posed in this dramatic simulation of prison life conducted in the summer of 1971 at Stanford University. 

This is a blog written by me and my husband J. Its pretty self-explantory, he is on the inside and I"m on the out. And this is how we survive.

I know I promised to update more, and J promised to as well...But he only writes me about twice a week now, so, his updates will be few and far between. Mine, well I"ve been lazy. I got 2 b's and an A in my classes and start back on Friday.

He celebrated his 30th birthday locked up, and I"ll be celebrating mine soon, though I would rather forget how much older I"m getting. I sent him a card everyday for a week and added extra money to the phone so we could talk more. I really love our calls, but god the money disappears fast.

Anyway he started GED classes, and is on a waiting list for several other classes. I've not been able to find out if they will have a mini graduation for them and let the families come, I know some places do this. But while this may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, to me it is. It shows me that he really is trying.

I get to go see him next week and take Lily I can't wait, he hasn't seen her in almost 9 months. I don't know how she'll do at the visits but any time together is good for me.

We are a little over 1/4 the way through with the whole thing..5 years, 6 months, 2 weeks and 1 day.

See more of their blogs at:

      www.prisonmarriage.blogspot.com

THE CELL DOOR IS…

                                                                                                        James Washington  
       

   Articles
 

Prison Fellowship walks with prisoners through the different stages of their journey. We start with them inside prison, as they learn new values based on the life and teaching of Christ and how to apply them. We continue with them through the critical transition to the outside, helping them through obstacles and daunting temptations. So even if they stumble, it doesn't mean defeat. 

We also help prisoners and their families rejoin their journeys, staying connected during incarceration, adjusting well when prisoners return home.

So if released prisoners have nowhere to go, we may help them find housing. For prisoners' families in need, our volunteers may help with food and bills. Prisoners who dropped out of high school may receive help to get their GED. Even prisoners with no family support are welcomed into accepting church families
 

Our prison system is broken. More than 700,000 prisoners are released from prison every year. More than half of them will be back in prison within 3 years. Justice Fellowship believes it is time to restore justice to our prison system, make our communities safer, and reconcile victims and offenders. 
                                                 www.justicefellowship.org

Dr. Thomas Lane, a veterinarian in Florida, thought that prison inmates would make excellent puppy raisers, and started the first guide-dog/prison program. Not only do inmates have unlimited time to spend with the puppies, but they benefit from the responsibility of being puppy raisers in ways that are especially important to their rehabilitation: they learn patience, what it is like to be completely responsible for a living being, how to give and receive unconditional love, and -- since puppy raisers take classes and train the dogs together -- how to work as a team.

After several months of research, I decided to leave my job on New York Mayor Giuliani's Youth Empowerment Services Commission and devote myself full-time to founding a non-profit organization dedicated to training prison inmates to raise puppies to be guide dogs for the blind. Puppies Behind Bars, Inc. formally came into existence in July 1997, and we initiated the program at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in November 1997. We began with five puppies in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, New York State's only maximum-security prison for women, and now work in six correctional facilities raising approximately 90 puppies.
The inmates have taken tiny little creatures, who were not housebroken, did not know their names, and obeyed no commands, and have transformed them into well-behaved young pups who are a joy to be around. The raisers, too, have matured: the responsibility of raising a dog for a disabled person and the opportunity to give back to society are being taken very seriously. Puppy raisers show the pups tenderness and love, which had not been given expression before, and are deeply committed to supplying the solid foundations upon which guide dogs are made.

The puppies have affected the lives not only of their puppy raisers, but of virtually all the inmates and staff at the prison. It is literally impossible to walk a puppy around without being stopped by inmates who want to pet the dogs or who want to just say 'hi' to them, and I am constantly being approached by corrections officers and senior staff who ask me about the puppies' training. One of our particularly sensitive pups goes to several different areas of the prison: the sixteen- and seventeen-year-old inmates play with her; domestic violence classes use her to get the women to open up and talk; and she even visits inmates who are about to go before the parole board, for it has been found that her presence has a calming effect on the women.

See alot more at their website:
www.puppiesbehindbars.com

Learn How To Survive In Jail 101: A Guide For All Beginner Inmates!
By:  Steve Gib

First of all if you are unsure where to locate an inmate, jail, prison etc. it will be helpful to know where to look.  A free on-line service such as county jail inmate search is extremely useful.  The directory has three sections: county jail, with contact information for the jail facility; inmate search, to locate an offender in custody; and state prison, housing for long term, sentenced prisoners.

If you are looking at a possible jail sentence it can be very terrifying, especially if you have never done a day of time in your life. If you are a hardened criminal it's a walk in the park. But living in the system has a very strict set of rules you follow so you won't be made someones bitch. You don't want to be victimized by the bullies in jail so I will share some more factors that will keep you safer and less bothered, then if you didnt know these following tips.

How to survive in jail - When you are doing your time you want to make as little friction with other people as possible. Remember to never give inmates you don't know prolonged eye contact it can mean you want to fight them. When you are walking around, keep your eyes focused straight ahead and don't be caught snooping on other prisoners lives. Also, don't look into other prisoners cells when you are walking down the hallway with your houses. Give other inmates their personal privacy and protect your own. If you don't know them, they don't talk to you, look at you, or have anything to do with you, do the same for them.

How to survive in jail - If you are a sexual offender I highly recommend you live in protective custody. Rapists and child molesters get the worst time in prison ever. Other inmates will attack you, punch you, poison your food, stab you or do worse things. If you have commited a sexual crime get your butt into protective custody because it is the only way you will survive.

How to survive in jail - When you enter the mess hall or eating area, I recommend you pay off your cell mate with something from your tray of food to let you sit with him. If you can't do it, find out from other people if it is ok for you to sit there. The last thing you want to do is sit in someones seat, that's been eating there every day for the past fifteen years of his life. Be respectful in the mess hall but also be extra alert and aware of the inmates around you while you are in the line up and while your back is exposed at the table.  There is a certain way of living and being inside the jail system and I hope these tips have opened your eyes to the raw reality of what you are about to experience.

How The Bail Process Works - What You Need To Know
By:  Stephen Daniels

Few things are as startling or, if you've never done it before, as confusing as the request from someone to post bail. Although you'll be tempted to ask for details, ask only what you need to know, such as his location and the amount of the bail; time is of the essence when someone has been arrested and doesn't want to spend time in jail.

Obviously, the first thing to ask is how much money to bring. Most jails have standard amounts that have been set by judges when considering common crimes and this figure is not negotiable. Get full information from the booking officer and ask if the judge has demanded cash. If the answer is "yes", you will need to produce actual money, since personal checks are almost never accepted. There are a few states in which debit or credit cards can be used, but the process involves a third entity and is somewhat complicated, so if cash is required, a quick stop at an ATM is your best bet. Once the cash is turned over to the booking officer, the arrestee will be released to your custody. By doing this, you are taking responsibility for seeing to it that he shows up for trial, after which your money (less some administrative charges) will be returned to you.

On the other hand, if bail is set at an amount beyond your means, you will need the services of a bail bondsman. The booking officer may be able to suggest bail bond companies in your area, or you can simply look in the local phone book for a convenient office. Once there, be prepared to answer a fairly lengthy list of questions and to part with some cash.

Most bail bond companies charge a non-refundable fee of at least 10%, so that if bail is set at $5,000 for example, you will need $500 in cash to obtain it. They will ask about your relationship to the defendant, what you know about his background, employment, living arrangements, and any other personal information you might have. Of course, they will also get a report from the police on the details of the arrest. Then, on the strength of what they learn about the arrested person, if the bondsmen believe that the defendant might not show up for trial, they can request extra collateral from you in the form of real or personal property. This means you may be asked to back the loan with property worth the full amount of the bail in addition to the ten percent fee, meaning you may be putting your house, your car and any other valued property at risk.

Under the circumstances, it's obviously better to take the money from your bank account than from a bail bond company, if you can afford it. Whichever way you go, be aware that the process is going to be costly. Even under a best-case scenario, court cases are expensive and after paying lawyers and court costs, the person you bailed out is probably going to be in debt and you'll be just one of his debtors. So, unless you're in a financial position to shell out a substantial amount of cash for an indefinite period of time, think twice before acceding to a request for bail.

Has Your Alcohol Consumption Become A Problem

Do you find yourself in bars after work most nights? Do you think about what you are going to tell someone if they ask what your plans are for the evening? Do you lie to your mate and tell them that you had to work late again? Do you do this because you are drinking a lot and you have gotten to the point where you feel the need to hide it from others? Do you think that your drinking is becoming a problem?

It is definitely a problem for those that have to deal with a heavy drinker, but to the person doing all of the drinking, they are usually the last to admit the fact that it has gotten out of control. Some of them will get so bad that the only way they will get the help they need is if it is forced on them and this method often does not work.

They will probably drink all night and then try to drive home. They might make it home a couple of times without getting stopped, but it will likely happen eventually. They might drive right through a red light with a cop sitting right there. After they are stopped, they will try to talk themselves out of a ticket. Some of the things they come up with are just so lame. Police officers can give you a sobriety test right there on the spot. Most heavy drinkers will not pass and if you do not, you get to go to jail. If you have been caught like this several times, you might say you have a problem, but others will surely say you do.

There are professionals out there that can help you with this problem and it is a problem. If this problem is not taken care of, you can die from it. It will cause your organs to quit working right. Some of this alcohol will attack certain parts of your body, like too much whiskey will damage you kidneys and liver. These professionals will help you in every way possible and even give you a coach that you could call at any time for any reason. They will set you up with a support group where you meet other people just like you.

They will try to help you with other problems that you think might be contributing to your drinking, like if you have problems at home, at work, or even at school. This problem can hit anyone at any age. It used to be just adults, but now we are seeing it happen to younger people, even children. Most of these children are trying to fit into maybe a gang, or even a certain bunch at school.

Some of them might fall into the wrong group at a party and then just end up in trouble. Whatever the reason you need to talk to your children about the dangers of drinking. So if they come across it they will know what to do. Tell them that they might get told that drinking is fun, but going to jail is not.

Man accused of trying to sell baby beaten in Jail

Patrick Fousek, 38 and 20-year-old Samantha Tomasini face child endangerment charges after police say they tried to sell their 6-month-old baby for $25 outside a Walmart store.

Thirty-eight-year-old Patrick Fousek and 20-year-old Samantha Tomasini, of Salinas, pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and drug charges Friday.

                      SHU
The Security Housing Unit (SHU) is a prison-within-a-prison, reserved for what the CDC calls “the worst of the worst.” SHU prisoners are kept in windowless, 6 by 10 foot cells, 23½ hours a day, for years at a time. People held under these conditions develop what is known as “SHU Syndrome” – the degradation of mental faculties caused by extreme isolation. Conditions in American SHUs are routinely the target of international human rights campaigns. In 1996, a team from the United Nations assigned to investigate torture described SHU conditions as “inhuman and degrading.” The California Department of Corrections operates four Security Housing Units in its system. Pelican Bay, Corcoran, California Correctional Institution, and Valley State Prison for Women hold 1,292, 1,204, 458, and 44 inmates respectively.

The Wyoming Frontier Prison is a remnant of the grizzly past of the old west, but not every aspect of prison life was so off-putting. Over the 80-year operation, the prison produced goods to meet demands of four major industries. From 1901 through 1917 the prison had a broom factory, but inmates burned it down during a riot.

The prison was equipped with several different means of disciplining inmates throughout its operation, including a dungeon, several variations of solitary confinement and a “punishment pole” to which men were handcuffed, and whipped with rubber hoses; this method was practiced legally until 1930.

The prison also used different execution methods throughout the operation. The first two executions were carried out using the “traveling” Julien Gallows which were used to hang Tom Horn in Cheyenne in 1903. In 1916, the penitentiary completed the addition of a “death house” which consisted of eight cells to house inmates on death row, and a unique indoor version of the Julien Gallows. The building also housed the gas chamber when it was chosen to replace hanging as Wyoming’s execution method of choice in 1936. Ultimately 14 death sentences were carried out; nine men were hanged, and five were executed in the gas chamber by the use of hydrocyanic acid gas.

Interesting site indeed....check out more at:

www.wyomingfrontierprison.org

In the often fraught and hostile world on the inside, an emotional bond with a pet can help a prisoner keep his or her head above water. "We have men of 50 who have taught themselves to read so they can learn how to take better care of a canary," says Elizabeth Ormerod, a Vet who has studied the effects of letting prisoners keep pets. "And men who say, 'I used to be on report all the time, but haven't been in trouble once since I've had a bird to look after.' "

Anecdotes like these are backed by a growing body of research. When staff at Oakwood Forensic Center, a maximum security prison for the criminally insane in Lima, Ohio, noticed that prisoners on one ward were suddenly being far more sociable and cooperative than usual, they investigated. They discovered that the inmates had found a sick sparrow in the prison yard and, working together, had secretly nursed it back to health.

Intrigued, the staff at Oakwood conducted a study in which they allowed one ward to keep pets and compared it with another that wasn't. Over the course of a year, prisoners on the pet ward were less violent and needed only half the medication of their petless peers, and there were no suicide attempts, compared with eight on the other ward. Another study, at Lorton Correctional Facility in Virginia, found that prisoners on a special pet program had a recidivism rate less than a quarter of the national average.

While any pets are likely to improve prison life for both inmates and officers, the most effective rehabilitation schemes, Ormerod says, are dog training programs.  At Washington state's maximum security Purdy Correctional Center for Women, inmates adopt and train abandoned dogs, which are then given new homes within the local community. It's a win-win situation: prisoners get close, nurturing relationships with the dogs; taxpayers get a free social service. More importantly, over the past three years, not one woman released from this program has returned to jail.

Impressed by Purdy's success, prisons throughout the United States and in Spain, Australia and South Africa have created similar dog training schemes, with positive results. Sadly, the UK prison service has not been quick to realize the potential benefits of pets and there is no encouragement for individual prisons to offer pet programs. Unfortunately, prison authorities and politicians have been afraid of appearing to be soft on criminals. 

What emerges from the research carried out so far confirms what many animal lovers have always suspected, that pets really can make us better people.

The Cat Program at Indiana 
              State Prison            

** Cats provide love and nonjudgemental companionship **

Cat Behaviourist Diana Korten visited the Indiana State prison to interview inmates and staff about their cat program. Korten notes that it was the cats that initiated the program when they made their way onto the prison grounds and began having kittens there.

Indiana State is a maximum security facility and many of the offenders are in for murder, but the men are fiercely protective of their cats. They construct elaborate cat furniture, make cat toys, and take excellent care of their charges, cat-sitting for one another as needed. The prisoners receive unconditional love from their pets and believe that the cats have changed them in positive ways, reducing their anger and increasing their capacity for self-control.

Inmate James Stone confided to Korten, “I have a temper. One time some things happened and I was feeling pretty serious about doing something....But Raol put Jinxster in my arms, and I just held him until I didn’t need to do something anymore....During my first 15 years here, I was trouble....But Jinx changed all that. I’m a different person now.”

Administrator Vince Morton told Korten, “I’ve been here for over 25 years, and I have seen a lot of offenders transformed by the cats.” The program costs the taxpayers nothing – prisoners pay all cat-related expenses through work programs or family support.

Ohio inmate chokes on deodorant container, dies

AP/Published on Tuesday Jun 29, 2010

Jail authorities in Cleveland say an inmate who had an empty deodorant container lodged in his throat collapsed and later died.

Authorities say 47-year-old Albert Fabian Jr. of Parma got panicky in his Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County jail cell Monday night and motioned to a guard that he was choking.

Guards, a nurse and doctor went to his aid and dislodged the deodorant container. He was declared dead at a hospital 49 minutes later.

Jail spokesman John O'Brien said the case doesn't appear to be a suicide. He declined to comment further, saying it remains under investigation. Authorities did not comment on why the item was in the inmate's throat. A cause of death is pending.

Fabian was awaiting trial on aggravated burglary and other charges.

Body of escaped Texas inmate found in NM landfill

Ohio.com
Published on Saturday Jul 10, 2010

Texas authorities say the body of a federal inmate who escaped from jail in El Paso was found at a landfill eight miles away in New Mexico.

El Paso County deputy Jesse Tovar said the body of 30-year-old Carlos Roberto Medina-Bailon was found Friday in a landfill in Sunland Park, N.M., that the jail's trash company uses.

Medina-Bailon was still wearing a dark blue jail jumpsuit and knee-high rubber boots when the jail trash collector discovered his body.

Medina-Bailon had escaped from the downtown El Paso jail early Friday. Officials say he may have slipped out by hiding in a large trash container.

Medina-Bailon had been jailed since June 6 on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics.

Women accused of gluing man's penis to stomach avoid jail time

By Dinesh Ramde
Associated Press
 Feb 02, 2010

2 Ohio inmates on hunger strike over medical care

By Andrew Welsh-Huggins
Associated Press 
Jul 07, 2010

COLUMBUS: Two inmates at Ohio's supermax prison have been on a hunger strike for days over unrelated demands for medical treatment that prison officials said Wednesday were not warranted.

Inmate Rayshan Watley has been on a hunger strike since Sunday and inmate Gary Roberts since Friday at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, prisons spokeswoman Julie Walburn said.

But both inmates have been going without food longer than that since a prisoner must miss nine consecutive meals before the prison system officially recognizes the practice as a hunger strike.

Inmates who drink water or coffee or tea without sugar are still considered to be on a hunger strike, said Walburn, who wouldn't say if the prisoners were taking any liquids.

Watley claimed to a prisoners' rights group that he was not being provided pain medication for shoulder and knee injuries that need surgery. The nature of Roberts' medical complaint was not immediately clear.

Walburn said both men have requested types of treatment regarding medical conditions that the prison medical staff doesn't believe are warranted. She declined further comment because inmates' medical records are shielded under Ohio's public records' law.

A six-person team is monitoring the inmates and working on a resolution.

The state would intervene with forced feeding to avoid death or serious and irreversible damage to the inmates' life support systems or major organs, based on a medical determination, Walburn said.

Hunger strikes are rare at the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, which houses about 51,000 inmates.

Watley, 31, was sentenced to prison in 1997 on a felonious assault conviction out of Hamilton County. He was convicted of a harassment-by-inmate charge while in prison in 2008 and received an additional six months. He is scheduled for a parole hearing in February 2011.

Watley has broken prison behavior rules dozens of times at the Youngstown facility according to DRC records, with numerous instances of disobedience, showing disrespect and lying.

Roberts, 31, is serving 26 years for voluntary manslaughter out of Cuyahoga County. He has also violated prison rules several times, DRC records show.

The supermax prison typically houses the system's most disruptive and violent inmates based on their behavior while in the prison system.

What you always wanted to know about Drunk Driving in Arizona but were to scared to ask.......

If you are found guilty of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Arizona you will go to jail. Even if no one was hurt or killed, or you didn't even hit another car or damage anything at all. It is mandatory that you spend a minimum of 24 hours in jail, even for your first offense. In addition to 24 hours in jail, you will have to pay fines and fees. Many people don't consider the financial penalties, but in many cases the expenses can be more of a hardship than the 24 hours in jail. If you are convicted of DUI more than once, the penalties get exponentially harsher.

What follows are the sentencing, penalty and fee guidelines for DUI in Arizona. These do not include what you may have to pay an attorney, what it might cost you if you miss work or lose your job, what you might have to pay in increased insurance costs, or any other cost associated with being convicted of a DUI.

Charge: First time DUI

Proof: Impaired to the slightest degree

Minimum Mandatory Sentence: 10 days in jail with 9 days suspended if alcohol assessment and treatment are completed, $250 fine plus 84% surcharge plus other fees (around $480 total fine), $500 fee to DPS, $500 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for one year at a cost of approximately $1,000.

Maximum Sentence: 6 months jail, $2500 fine plus 84% surcharge and other fees; 3 years probation; $500 fee to DPS, $500 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for one year at a cost of approximately $1,000.

Charge: DUI with BAC of .08% or more

Proof: BAC of .08% or more

Minimum Mandatory Sentence: 10 days in jail with 9 days suspended if alcohol assessment and treatment are completed, $250 fine plus 84% surcharge plus other fees (around $480 total fine), $500 fee to DPS, $500 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for one year at a cost of approximately $1,000.

Maximum Sentence: 6 months jail, $2500 fine plus 84% surcharge and other fees; 3 years probation; $500 fee to DPS, $500 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for one year at a cost of approximately $1,000.

Breath test/blood test: If the reading is .08 or more the driver's license is suspended for 90 days, however for 60 of those days the license may be restricted to allow travel between home and work or home and school. If a driver refuses to take the test the driver's license is suspended for a year mandatory.

Charge: Extreme DUI

Proof: BAC of .15% or more

Minimum Mandatory Sentence: 30 consecutive days jail; $250 fine plus 84% surcharge plus $250 assessment fee, $1000 fee to DPS, $1000 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for a minimum of twelve months at a cost of approximately $1,000 per year.

Maximum Sentence: 6 months jail, $2500 fine plus 84% surcharge and other fees; 3 years probation

Charge: Extreme DUI

Proof: BAC of .20% or more

Minimum Mandatory Sentence: 45 consecutive days jail; $500 fine plus 84% surcharge plus $250 assessment fee plus, $1000 fee to DPS, $1000 prison assessment fee, probation fee of $20, time payment fee of $20, attend an alcohol screening and education or treatment, probation and community service are possible but not required, pay jail costs, install an interlock ignition device for a minimum of twelve months at a cost of approximately $1,000 per year.

Maximum Sentence: 6 months jail, $2500 fine plus 84% surcharge and other fees; 3 years probation

Jail inmate charged with stalking

Daily Herald | Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A man already in jail for stalking charges had 10 more filed against him last week.

According to a police affidavit, Michael Hamblin wrote more than 20 letters from May 19 to July 19 to a 16-year-old girl in American Fork, then had a friend deliver the letters to the young woman. On Aug. 4, police allege, Hamblin was on a work crew and made two phone calls to the girl’s cell phone.

He has two previous convictions for stalking besides being in the Utah County Jail on stalking charges. Bail was set at $15,000 cash.

¹stu·pid

San Francisco County Jail installs condom machines for inmates

(Posted by Doug Stanglin) USA Today
September 8, 2010

San Francisco County Jail has installed 16 condom machines for the 75-inmates at its San Bruno lockup, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The move is an extension of a safe-sex program that began in 1989 when health workers gave condoms to inmates as part of their counseling before their release, columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross writes in the Chronicle.

Although sex among inmates in technically illegal, the paper notes, the sheriff's department decided to install the machines anyway.

Sheriff Michael Hennessey acknowledges that the decision "may be controversial," but says the larger health-education message is important.

The program is paid for by small grants.

Jail break is short-lived In Santa Clarita

Hernando jail inmate dies after suffering seizures

St. Petersburg Times staff
In Print: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

BROOKSVILLE — A 37-year-old Hernando County Jail inmate died Monday afternoon from an apparent seizure he suffered while inside his cell.

According to a Hernando County Sheriff's Office report, jail deputies observed Edward A. Thomas of Dade City to be in the throes of a seizure about 4:16 p.m.

A nurse making rounds in the housing area immediately responded to Thomas' cell and found him on a lower bunk, awake and responsive to her inquiries. He told her he had not experienced seizures before.

According to the report, when Thomas began to have trouble breathing, paramedics were called. While the nurse and deputies placed him on the floor and continued talking to him to slow down his breathing, Thomas apparently experienced another seizure.

Although his condition improved somewhat by the time paramedics arrived, the inmate collapsed again during an attempt to move him from his cell. He was placed in the ambulance as CPR efforts continued, but was pronounced dead at Brooksville Regional Hospital at 5:17 p.m.

Thomas was booked into the jail Friday for failure to pay court-ordered child support. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. According to the Sheriff's Office, which recently took over operations at the jail from Corrections Corporation of America, preliminary indications are that Thomas' death was from natural causes.

Inmate charged with damaging Jail — AGAIN

JournalTimes.com | Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

RACINE, Wisconsin - A Jail inmate with an alleged history of bad behavior has picked up new charges for allegedly breaking windows after slipping out of a restraint.

Sean A. Riker, 42, was booked into the Racine County Jail in November after allegedly attacking and threatening his wife and her children. He picked up new charges in January after he reportedly broke out of his cell and trashed a day room. He has a prior federal conviction for a string of bombings in Utah in 1995.

On Friday, Riker was charged with two counts each of criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. He faces up to 6 years imprisonment for each count, which includes time in prison and on probation or extended supervision. The possible sentences are increased because he is a repeat offender and the crimes are charged as hate crimes.

According to the criminal complaint, Riker slipped out of his belly chain as he was being moved from his cell to the shower area of the jail on July 28. The 2-foot long section of chain had a padlock on it, and was still attached to handcuffs on his wrists.

Staff at the jail said Riker screamed about his treatment in the jail and used racial slurs while telling staff to stop putting black men in cells near him. He allegedly swung the chain, cracking a day room window. After he reportedly agreed to return to his cell, staff said Riker turned and ran to the corner cell in front of a day room occupied by two black inmates. He then allegedly swung the chain and padlock at the window several times, causing it to crack.

Staff said Riker then quickly returned to his cell and said "There. Now they can't come out ‘cause their window's broken."

Each window costs about $815 to replace.

Escaped inmates caught at Jail — trying to sneak back in, that is

Sep. 08, 2010 / Associated Press

PINEVILLE, Mo. -- It's a first for McDonald County Undersheriff Bud Gow: Never has the southwest Missouri lawman had inmates break out of jail and then try to sneak back in.

Gow's best guess about the motives of the two men who briefly went on the lam late Tuesday is that they wanted to buy some drugs, have a good time and get back before anyone noticed.

The plan fell apart when they were spotted climbing on an air conditioning unit and trying to re-enter the jail through the same hole they made two hours earlier in an attic wall.

Gow told KOAM-TV authorities believe the men stole a pickup truck during the escape and set it on fire upon their return to create a diversion.

On Wednesday, both were in isolation - and facing escape charges that carry a five-year sentence in Missouri.

Starke County Jail escapee captured

WSBT.com / September 7, 2010

A Starke County, Indiana Jail inmate scaled a 15-foot concrete wall to escape but later in the afternoon was captured during a fierce struggle with officers.

At one point Rodney Craft told officers that they were “going to have to kill him,” police said.

According to Starke County authorities, Craft, a heavy maker and user of methamphetamine, was arrested on Friday on charges that included dealing the potentially lethal narcotic.

Police said on Saturday that Craft, with help from other offenders in a secure outdoor recreation area, scaled a 15-foot wall topped with concertina wire.

On the outside of the wall Craft removed his jail uniform and fled on foot completely naked.

About an hour after the 4 p.m. escape, LaPorte County Sheriff's deputy Andrew Morse was called to assist in the search with his K-9 dog, Mirza.

Eventually, officers located Craft inside what appeared to be an abandoned residence in the 2600 block of East Division Road in Knox, police said.

Morse said he was hit with a Taser and threatened with the dog, but Craft several times told police “we were going to have to kill him.”

The dog grabbed Craft by the arm, but he kept fighting and was hit with the Taser again.

Police said Craft was taken to Starke Memorial Hospital for treatment

Woman did more than visit boyfriend in Jail, cops say

TBO.com
Published: January 6, 2010

CLEARWATER - An interviewer with the Pinellas County Public Defender's Office did more than visit her inmate boyfriend at the Pinellas County Jail, authorities say.

She had sexual relationships with him at the jail and brought him marijuana, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.




Detectives arrested Alexandra Nicole Petitt, 20, this afternoon after interviewing her at the jail. She has been charged with two counts of bribery and official misconduct. Her bail is set at $10,000, jail records show.

Petitt, of St. Petersburg, would sign in at the jail as though she had an official public defender's visit to interview inmate and boyfriend Tywan Armstrong, 30, of St. Petersburg, the sheriff's office says.

But Armstrong was being represented by a private attorney, not the public defender's office, and there was no reason for the public defender's office to interview him, the sheriff's office said.

An anonymous caller contacted the sheriff's office on Dec. 14 and said Petitt was using her official position to visit Armstrong. The caller said they would meet in the private attorney and client rooms, which state law doesn't allow deputies to monitor.

While in the room, the tipster said, Pettit would pass him marijuana and have sex with him, the sheriff's office said.

Petitt began working for the public defender's office in August 2009. After her training period concluded, she began to visit Armstrong in November, authorities say.

Armstrong was booked into the jail in January 2009 on charges that include operating a drug house, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, manufacture and deliver, trafficking in cocaine, and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer.

On Tuesday, Armstrong was transferred to the state Department of Corrections to begin serving a sentence on unrelated charges.

Detectives verified her visits to Armstrong through jail records. Detectives have also traced jail telephone calls between Petitt and Armstrong, where the conversations substantiate the sexual relationship and marijuana delivery, the sheriff's office said.

 She deserves a lil' jail time, criminal record and most of all.....she deserves him!  I hope it's all worth it Ms. Petitt.

                                                  SGT Sandvig 

Sebastian County Arkansas Inmate Strangled In Cell

Fri Sep 17, 2010. 
Amy Sherrill / TIMES RECORD

A Sebastian County inmate manually strangled another inmate Thursday morning after luring him into his jail cell, authorities said.

Ashley Eugene Kaufman, 25, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder for allegedly killing Gary Van Wolf, 64, of Fort Smith.

Kaufman told investigators that "God told him to do this," after admitting he killed Wolf.

During the criminal investigation, authorities learned that Kaufman called Wolf into his cell at about 9:30 a.m. and then he "strangled him with his bare hands," said Chief Deputy Tom Young of the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office.

Kaufman then dragged Wolf out of his cell and into Wolf's cell where he placed him on the bed, put a plastic bag around his head and tied a string around it, and then placed a sheet over him, Young said.

Wolf was found by a detention deputy within 20 minutes of his death, authorities said. A deputy passing out medication while making his rounds through a pod was approached by an inmate who told him to check on Wolf.

When the deputy went into Wolf's cell, he found him unresponsive and emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, Young said.

Kaufman told authorities he placed the bag around Wolf so he would suffocate in case he wasn't dead.

Wolf and Kaufman were housed in a protective custody pod away from other inmates. Inmates with sex offense-related charges are usually housed in this pod, Young said. Kaufman was transferred to this pod on Monday after he punched detention deputy Aaron Mariott in the jaw and neck, according to a jail incident report.

Kaufman has been in jail since Aug. 20 after he was arrested for severely battering another man, whom he allegedly bound with tape, kidnapped and dumped in a field, according to a police report.

Fort Smith police were notified that a man, later identified as Scott McLachlan, was found in a field in Dora on Aug. 19. Duct tape had been wrapped around McLachlan's feet and hands and placed over his mouth, according to the report. McLachlan told police that Kaufman stole his pickup and kidnapped him.

Kaufman admitted to officers he had beaten McLachlan and said he wished he had killed him, according to the report.

Other charges Kaufman faces include first-degree domestic battery, kidnapping without releasing the victim, a parole violation, petition to revoke a suspended sentence and second-degree battery for assaulting the deputy, according police and jail reports.

Wolf had been in jail since Sept. 9, charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, Young said.

Authorities accused Wolf of putting his hand in the underwear of two minor boys and feeling their genitals, according to a police report. The boys told authorities Wolf told them he lost a tooth and was searching for it in their underwear, according to the report.

An internal investigation into whether policies and procedures were followed at the jail will begin today, Young said.

Inmate admits exposing self to, spitting on staff

By Julie Manganis Staff writer Fri Sep 17, 2010
The Salem News

MIDDLETON — A former Middleton Jail inmate with what his lawyer called "a variety of issues" eagerly pleaded guilty yesterday to repeatedly spitting on correctional officers at the house of correction and to exposing himself to a female officer while she was trying to get him to sign some sex offender registry documents.

Teen Inmates Earn 'Hard Knocks High' Diplomas

Sheriff Attends Ceremony At Lower Buckeye Jail

POSTED:  September 30, 2010
Phoenix News

On Thursday, inmates at the Lower Buckeye Jail graduated from Arpaio's "Hard Knocks High," a program developed to educate juveniles charged as adults. Sheriff's officers conducted the graduation ceremony.

The program was established by Arpaio, who was at the ceremony.

Inmates attend classes to gain high school credits or receive their G.E.D.

Classes are required even for inmates who refuse to cooperate. In some cases, teachers give lessons to violent students through the cell door, according to deputies.

The subjects include reading, math, history and science. Inmates do homework in their cells at night.

"While it is by no means an ideal learning environment, some inmates who've received their GED diploma while in jail say it is the first time in their lives that they've completed something that they could be proud of," Arpaio said. "For the first time, many say that they now have hope for the future."

By MEG KINNARD (AP) October 6, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina jail was sued Wednesday over its policy barring inmates from having any reading material other than the Bible.  (Seems to be a little to strict to me....SGT. Sandvig)

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the policy on behalf of Prison Legal News, a monthly journal on prison law. The 16-page complaint says officials at the Berkeley County jail in Moncks Corner, about 100 miles southeast of Columbia, are violating several of the magazine's and inmates' constitutional rights including free speech, freedom of religion and right to due process.

Since 2008, the publishers of Prison Legal News have tried to send magazines, letters and self-help books about prison life to several inmates at the jail, the complaint says. Some were sent back, and in July a jail official wrote an e-mail to the publishers referencing the jail's policy.

"Our inmates are only allowed to receive soft back bibles in the mail directly from the publisher," First Sergeant K. Habersham noted in the e-mail. "They are not allowed to have magazines, newspapers, or any other type of books."

The jail confirmed Wednesday that it doesn't have a library and that the only reading material its roughly 450 inmates are allowed to have are paperback Bibles. A spokesman for Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt said the sheriff had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment. The spokesman also deferred comment to deputy county supervisor Chip Boling, and there was no answer at an office phone number listed for Boling after business hours Wednesday.

"Not only does it prevent communication and clearly violate free speech rights, it also violates the establishment clause because it discriminates on the basis of religion," said David Shapiro, an attorney for the ACLU's National Prison Project. "The information that's being blocked and censored is information about prisoners' basic legal rights."

In addition to unspecified punitive damages, the lawsuit also asks a federal judge to order the Bible-only policy halted and to let a jury hear the case.

"Each Defendant's conduct was motivated by evil motive or intent, involved reckless or callous indifference to the federally protected rights of Plaintiffs," the lawsuit says.

WV Inmate's nose bitten off in prison fight. 

CHARLESTON, W.V. — An inmate at South Central Regional Jail lost the tip of his nose when he was bitten by another inmate during an altercation.

Telly Sylvester Larry, 30, was taken to a hospital but is back in jail recovering from injuries suffered during a fight that began during a card game.

Larry was playing cards Sept. 13 with Roy Anthony Harvey, 32, of Cabin Creek in the Pod A day room when the two got into an argument.

Harvey began taunting Larry, and that caused Larry to try walking away from the situation, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. But Harvey then began punching him repeatedly, it says.

Larry told Trooper J.E. Burgess of the State Police Detachment in South Charleston, who went to the jail the morning of Sept. 24 to interview him about the incident, that he had "no choice but to fight back," the complaint said.

As the fight continued, larry had begun to gain the upper hand when Harvey did something unexpected, the trooper wrote.

Harvey then "decided to bite off the tip of (Larry's) nose," the complaint said.

Jail officials took photographs of Larry's nose and injuries and Harvey's injuries. The photos showed both men had marks on their necks.

Larry was taken to Thomas Memorial Hospital for treatment, but doctors were unable to save the tip of his nose. He will require plastic surgery to repair the damage, the trooper said.

Larry was brought to South Central in October 2009 after State Police arrested him for failing to register as a sex offender in Jackson County. Jail officials said he is being held at the jail by the U.S. Marshals service.

Harvey violated his parole earlier this year from meth lab and breaking-and-entering charges, officials said. He now faces the additional charge of malicious wounding.

Burgess did not immediately return a message left for her at the detachment. State Police still are investigating.

Honestly, I feel Larry should have kept his nose to himself.....
                                               
                                                                                   Sergeant Sandvig

Inmate loses appeal to keep stereo in prison cell

Central Texas:  Inmate found dead in cell after ICE discovers he was wanted for murder

Statesman.com
October 14, 2010

TRAVIS COUNTY TEXAS

Inmate dies in apparent suicide

A corrections officer making his rounds found an inmate hanged with part of his blanket Tuesday night, the same day immigration agents discovered that he had been jailed under an assumed name and was wanted for murder in South Texas, according to the Travis County sheriff's office.

The officer discovered Dante Uresti, 25 about 11:30 p.m. and called for medical assistance, but Uresti was pronounced dead at 12:12 a.m., the sheriff's office said.

Uresti was jailed Oct. 3 on a drunken driving charge and multiple traffic warrants, the sheriff's office said. Uresti had a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and on Tuesday he was released into their custody, the sheriff's office said.

"ICE Agents checked their fingerprint files and found that Mr. Uresti was actually Gilberto Rubio-Turrubiates ... and he had a warrant from Hidalgo County for murder," the sheriff's office said. "The agents returned him to the Travis County Jail where he was awaiting extradition to Hidalgo County."

The medical examiner's office did not find any indication of injuries other than self-strangulation, the sheriff's office said, but a cause of death will not be released until a final autopsy report is complete.

This is the sixth jail death in custody reported this year by the Travis County sheriff's office.

Going to jail? 10 tips for reducing
 the financial damage

Credit counselors, attorneys, ex-convicts say planning ahead is key

By Connie Prater

Although the vast majority of the 2.4 million people serving time in jails and prisons across the United States do not have significant assets, some do have mortgages, outstanding credit card bills and even businesses that are jeopardized when they become incarcerated.

Here are 10 tips from credit counselors, attorneys and ex-convicts themselves about managing and safeguarding your financial affairs if you're heading to prison:

1. Find someone who you trust completely to take over your financial affairs. Inmates who can arrange for someone on the outside to take over car payments or negotiate reduced payments with creditors can emerge from jail without amassing greater debt while inside, experts say. Fines, fees and interest for everything from credit cards to child support or alimony payments can accrue over the years and make even a small debt grow to large amounts. "Tex," who asked that his name be withheld, says he's making plans to keep his bills paid while he's away in prison. It will be his second prison sentence, and he says he learned from the mistakes he made with his finances 19 years ago after his first conviction. "The first time around, I didn't respond to nothing. Not child support notices or anything. After I got out, it was piled up something fierce. It took me years and years to pay that thing down."

2. Set up a joint bank account with that person before going to jail. It will be difficult to set up a bank account once you're incarcerated because federal anti-terrorism laws passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks require account holders to provide identification and appear in person at the lending institution when opening an account. "We get a number of calls from inmates who, because they didn't have [bank] accounts open, and they relied on others, they've been bilked. They've had people take advantage of inheritances they've received," says David O'Neil, a former Texas public defender whose Houston law firm represents prisoners seeking parole or help managing their affairs from behind bars. "We've seen some inmates who've gotten brokers or set up trusts and had trust officers from responsible banks handle their funds. These seem to work out quite well from our experience."

3. Consult an attorney about drafting documents to give someone you trust your power of attorney. This gives the trusted person the legal right to make decisions on your behalf and gain access to checking and savings accounts.

4. Contact all of your creditors and let them know that you will have difficulty making payments for a period of time.

Ask if they can put you on a reduced payment for a while or a hardship program with reduced interest. Some creditors will do it.

-- Andrew Bernstein     Credit counselor

"Ask if they can put you on a reduced payment for a while or a hardship program with reduced interest. Some creditors will do it," advises Andrew Bernstein, a certified personal finance counselor with DebtHelper.com in West Palm Beach, Fla. He has conducted personal finance and debt counseling seminars for inmates in state and county jails and prisons in South Florida. Adds Tex, the ex-convict awaiting another prison sentence: "Call the people you need to call. If you have child support, they need to know where you're at immediately and work something out."

 

5. Vehicles may be repossessed unless you get someone to take over payments, insurance and maintenance. Again, find someone you trust. There are cases of family members selling the inmate's car, truck or other possessions for cash.

6. If you're considering filing for bankruptcy, it may be difficult to fulfill the necessary requirements while in jail. The 2005 bankruptcy law requires debtors to get credit counseling before filing. Although these sessions can be conducted via telephone or the Internet, inmates are not guaranteed telephone time, Internet access is prohibited and physically attending the sessions is impossible. Laura Bartell, a law professor and scholar at the American Bankruptcy Institute, has studied prisoner attempts to file for bankruptcy while incarcerated. She says inmates who try to file for bankruptcy do so because a spouse on the outside can't keep up with the bills. "Some of these prisoners are married, so the debt collector is calling the wife. That's not a happy situation," says Bartell.

7. Prisoners often have a difficult time finding attorneys to represent them. As a result, they file "in pro se," meaning they act as their own attorneys. The odds are great that the bankruptcy will be rejected.

If they are judgment-proof and have no assets that are not exempt, there's nothing in it for creditors who sued them ... You can't get blood from a stone.

-- Laura Bartell Law professor, bankruptcy expert

It may make sense for a prisoner and his wife to try to file for bankruptcy, Bartells says, "If they are jointly liable for the debt and he had an income and now he doesn't have an income, and she cannot carry the debt load with her single income." But she adds, "If they are judgment-proof and have no assets that are not exempt, there's nothing in it for creditors who sued them. It's a bother having the debt collection calls, but you can't get blood from a stone."

 

8. Bankruptcy won't help you get rid of or discharge several types of debt, including child support payments, federal student loans and court and restitution costs associated with your crimes. Those debts will remain on your credit record.

9. If debt collectors are calling your family members asking for payment on loans, make sure the collection agency or creditor knows you are serving time. Instruct family members to give the collector the name of the facility so they can call to verify your whereabouts. This may stop collection efforts, although if your spouse is jointly responsible for the loan, the debt collector may continue to seek payment from him or her.

10. Inmates serving long prison sentences may feel that they can ignore their debts. And it could be true: By the time they are released, the state statute of limitations on many types of consumer debts (which varies by state) may have expired. The statute of limitations only limits the creditors' ability to successfully sue to collect on an old debt. Creditors still can ask for payment even if the debt is time-barred and the unpaid debt remains as a bad mark on a credit report for up to seven years. Old debts are commonly sold and resold to debt buyers and that old unpaid loan may show up again years later and require you to take steps to remove it from your credit report.

Jail inmate charged with capital murder found dead

By Nancy Flake

Sep 25, 2010

The Courier of Montgomery County                   

The Top Three Rules of Prison Inmate Etiquette

By Jonathan L. Richards

Your first few weeks and indeed your entire stay in prison will be made entirely more tolerable if you adhere to top three rules of inmate etiquette. Obeying these rules will help to positively shape your reputation, which will follow you throughout your sentence.

1. Don't Rat

If you and another inmate have a problem, you settle it amongst yourselves. You do not go to the CO. You do not go to the Counselor or Unit Manager. If you see something going on that shouldn't be, keep it to yourself. It's none of your business. You are an inmate, not a cop.

The only exception to this rule that I can think of is if you genuinely feel that your life is in danger. In this case, the CO will have you moved to the hole. An investigation will follow. If you are lucky you will be moved to another institution. If you are not, the other inmate will be moved or it will be decided that there does not exist a sufficient threat. In both scenarios you will be placed back in general population where you will forever be labeled a rat.

Halfway through my stay, two men got into a fight and were both sent to the hole. Six weeks later, one of the men was returned to the unit. The other man did not return. The rumor quickly spread that the man who had returned had gone to the unit counselor saying that he feared for his life. This resulted in the other man, who was very well liked in the unit, being shipped to another institution. From then on, the man who had returned to the unit was labeled a rat and was completely ostracized. Most people stopped talking to him. Nearly every day, he found notes on his cube that read "RAT", he was verbally abused and he was relegated to the far corner of the TV room. He was very lucky to avoid any physical violence.

Now, if his life was really in immediate danger, perhaps going to the counselor was the only action he could have taken-his resulting situation just an unfortunate reality of prison life. It is far more likely that he panicked and made a rash decision. And regardless, the entire situation could have been avoided altogether if he had not gotten into the fight in the first place.

2. Mind Your Own Business

You'll often hear inmates refer to the term, "Do your own time". This is the equivalent to "Mind your own business" and is absolutely paramount to avoiding trouble. In many ways, prison is like high school. A large group of people spend a lot of time together every day for years. Inevitably this leads to rumors, speculation and gossip.

Do not get involved. Aside from the fact that most of the information that floats around is patently false or greatly exaggerated, if you choose to pass gossip along you run the very real risk of being confronted by the inmate in question or of finding yourself in the middle of a heated argument. Avoid the hassle and steer clear of gossip and rumors. Further, due to the utter lack of privacy, you will constantly hear the conversations of other inmates. Do not make an active attempt to listen. Do not respond to what is being said. If you can't help but to listen, make sure it is not obvious that you are doing so.

Along these same lines, be careful about asking too many questions about the personal or legal situation of other inmates as you will be suspected of being a rat. As my celly liked to say, "The more you know, the more you can tell". The one question that is okay to ask is, "how much time you get?" You will be asked this constantly, especially when you first arrive. You'll also notice that no one will ask you about your charges. It may seem like the most reasonable question in the world considering where you are, but it is a cardinal sin. You'll find that over time as you get to know the other inmates, many will share their stories with you. This is fine. But you never ask.

Finally, when you are walking around the unit, absolutely do not look into the cubes or cells of other inmates. You will be suspected of being a thief or a pervert and likely quickly confronted.

3. Never get too Comfortable

Believe it or not (and it will likely be hard to believe your first few weeks), eventually you will get to know a number of other inmates, you will fall into a regular routine and you will get used to your new home. Prison life will begin to seem quite normal. This is good. But never let yourself get too comfortable. By this I mean, never let your guard down. Always remember where you are. Don't say too much. Don't ask too much. Don't call undue attention to yourself.

In many ways, prison mirrors mainstream society. Over time, certain rules, spoken and unspoken have developed. These rules serve to dictate acceptable inmate behavior and maintain order. Those who disregard the rules are ostracized or confronted by members of the community. The one major difference of course is that in prison there is nowhere to hide and nowhere to go and try to start again. For that reason, it is vital that you understand and adhere to the inmate rules and the prison culture from day one.

1. Don't Interfere With Inmate Interests. Never rat on an inmate, don't be nosy, don't have loose lips, and never put an inmate on the spot.
2. Don't Fight With Other Inmates. Don't lose your head and do your own time.
3. Don't Exploit Inmates. If you make a promise, keep it, don't steal from inmates, don't sell favors, and don't go back on bets.
4. Maintain Yourself. Don't: weaken, whine, cop out. Be a man and be tough.
5. Don't Trust Guards Or The Things They Stand For. Don't be a sucker, the officials are wrong and the prisoners are right.

     Prisoner's Rights
The ACLU's National Prison Project is dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s prisons, jails, juvenile facilities and immigration detention centers comply with the Constitution, federal law, and international human rights principles, and to addressing the crisis of over-incarceration in the U.S. Since 1972, the Project has fought unconstitutional conditions of confinement through public education, advocacy, and successful litigation on behalf of more than 100,000 men, women and children.

*Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals Orders Sheriff Arpaio To Fix
 Unconstitutional Conditions In Maricopa County Jail

*When will California stop shackling pregnant women?

*ACLU Lawsuit Charges That Jail Policy Banning Books And 
 Magazines Is Unconstitutional

*When being poor is a crime.

*Alabama Department Of Corrections Ends Ban Of Prisoners With
 HIV From Work Release

See many more interesting articles at:

www.aclu.org

Justice Denied Blog

Justice Denied was founded in 1998 as an all-volunteer, non-profit magazine dedicated to publicizing wrongful convictions, and their causes and possible preventions.

* Troy Anthony Davis "Is Not Innocent" Rules Federal Judge

* China Raising Wrongful Conviction Compensation To 
   $18.50 Per Day

* Woman Mistaken For Bank Robber Freed After Seven
   Years Imprisonment

* Police Torture Victims Awarded $493,000

* Man Released After 11 Years Imprisonment When Murder 
   Victim Turns Up Alive

Check-out many more articles at:

http://justicedenied.org/wordpress/

In the past year 3.7 million men and women (as well as juvenile offenders) were guests of a city, county, state or federal jail. Not all were as clean and neat as this "holding cell."

    We hope that you never, ever have to spend even a few hours behind a prison cell and that this simply reminds you of the importance of your liberty. Jail cells cost about $40,000 per year per offender. This would include the cost of guards, food and the efforts to train prisoners for their return to the society that sent them to jail.

     On a local level many police departments have what is known as a "drunk tank" or overnight cell. This would be a place to keep someone who would be bonded out in a few hours or simply needed to sober up. It is rare and expensive to keep someone in a city jail for more than a few hours.

     Most persons charged with crimes are taken to one of more than 3,000 county jails where they can await trial or posting of a bond that guarantees their appearance. Persons who serve less than one year may be kept in a county jail.

     When you hear a judge say one year, the actual time served would be more likely three months. The balance is deducted for good behavior and probation. Even a life term can be only seven years with some exceptions.

     We have also taken the opportunity to show what a jail cell looks like in some of the nations outside of the United States. Stone walls, straw for a bed, fish heads for your one meal per day, or even worse.

     Correctional officers who are trained to handle prisoners are very brave men and women. They spend eight hour shifts inside the jail with no firearms for self defense and supervise from 50 to 100 inmates at a time. Jail officers must be able to keep the jail trouble-free and watch prisoners who might try to kill themselves or be killed by other prisoners. Every item in a jail is a potential weapon.

     You are invited to take photos in the cells and the doors do open and you can walk in and out. Please use care - especially with children.

     If you are thinking of a career in law enforcement, the biggest industry growth at this time is in new jails being built to house more and more offenders.

As one inmate said: "Life is a beautiful word except when used in a sentence."

www.aphf.org 
check it out

 
"Just another day at the office for the Jail Sergeant and his people"

Sending money to Jail, managing it while in prison pose challenges

By Connie Prater
Published October 15, 2010
CreditCards.com

Have a loved one in jail and need to get money to an inmate? Jails and prisons across the country have different rules about how much and how often you can send, but several services and options are available.

Med Examiner: Jail Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide 

KCCI.com
October 21, 2010

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office has classified the death of a Polk County Jail inmate as a homicide.

Associate State Medical Examiner Dr. Michele Catellier said Thursday that 27-year-old Nicholas Beasley, of Des Moines, died May 30 while being restrained. She also noted a seizure disorder and inflammation of the heart muscle as factors in the death.

She said the death was a homicide.

Sheriff's Office officials said several officers and nurses tried to control his violent and erratic movements in an effort to prevent injury. Officials said that it is believed that the combination of the stress caused by Beasley’s medical conditions and the physical exertion contributed to his deteriorating status.

The designation of the death as a homicide does not mean there is a criminal element, but rather that a person has died at the hands of another, officials said. The cause of death consists of a combination of preexisting medical conditions and the stress Beasley’s body was experiencing, sheriff's officials said.

Beasley had been booked into the county jail the day before on a domestic assault charge.

Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said his office is investigating Beasley's death. He said homicide doesn't mean there's foul play. He declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Beasley's death to the Associated Press.

The death remains under investigation.

Lindsay Lohan faces a triple threat today - a fed-up judge, possible jail time and her estranged father.

The "Mean Girls" star has a Beverly Hills court hearing on whether she violated probation for her 2007 DUI conviction.

Dad Michael Lohan will be front and center as Judge Marsha Revel mulls Lindsay's alcohol class absenteeism and a missed court date.

If guilty, she could get 90 days in jail.

"I'll be there to support Lindsay. And if the judge wants to give her jail time, I'll say that's not what she needs. Recidivism is so high when someone with a drug problem goes to jail," he told the Daily News. He insists Lindsay is addicted to prescription meds.

"As long as prescription drugs are in the mix, she'll never be 100% and have her career back," he said. "She can get off them with proper treatment, not jail."

Revel slapped an alcohol-monitoring SCRAM anklet on the sassy starlet, 24, in May and ordered weekly drug testing that allowed for prescriptions.

Lindsay reportedly isn't sweating the legal showdown.

"It's no big deal to her, even though she totally believes Judge Revel hates her guts," a source told TMZ.com.

Inmate charged after setting off sprinklers at Indian River County Jail

January 24, 2011
TCPalm.com
Lamaur Stancil

(Job security for us....right?)
                               Sergeant Sandvig

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An inmate with cabin fever set off the alarm system at the Indian River County Jail by tinkering with the sprinkler system in his cell, according to his affidavit.

Ronald John Smith, 35, was booked into the jail on Jan. 12 for violating an injunction of protection, according to jail records. About 2:20 a.m. Friday, the Sheriff's Office said security video showed Smith using a pen to tamper with the sprinkler. The sabotage set off the sprinkler, soaking Smith's cell and causing about $2,000 worth of damages. Smith said he simply wanted to get out of his cell, his affidavit states.

Corrections deputies charged Smith, of the 1400 block of 20th Court Southwest, Vero Beach, with felony criminal mischief and preventing or obstructing the extinguishment of a fire. He remained at the jail Monday in lieu of $12,500 bail.

Danville Jail offers new entertainment option for inmates

Flat screen television sets and DVD players are being installed to add an educational outlet for men and women in the jail system

January 27, 2011
Tim Saunders
WDBJ7.com

DANVILLE, Va. —

Whether it's playing cards or making the occasional phone call, there's only so many ways to pass the long hours in lockup.

"You're stuck. You're in one place," said Reginald Allen, who's serving time in the Danville Jail for larceny.

He keeps himself occupied with challenging games like Scrabble.

"I already realize the mind is a terrible thing to waste," said Allen.

TV is another option.  There's no cable here, just your basic networks.

A new source of entertainment is coming soon.  Sheriff Mike Mondul wants inmates to serve a productive sentence.

"We're capitalizing on what would be down time and idle time," said Mondul, who is putting hundreds of dollars worth of DVD players, flat screen TV's, even surround sound, in different parts of the jail.

All of the equipment will be used "to better educate them when they sit idle and don't have anything productive to do," said Mondul.

There won't be any racy movies or TV shows on these screens.

"This will be good, solid educational type television," said Mondul.

Inmates will watch programs that provide a lesson on important topics like "Substance abuse, parenting classes. Things that might help them when they get out of jail," said Mondul.

You might be wondering who is paying for this expensive electronic equipment. Inmates are paying for it themselves, through the purchase of snacks and other items inside the jail.

Mondul says no public money is being used, adding "that's the best part about it. It's not going to cost taxpayers a dime."

While inmates have their dominoes and other games, some like Daniel Wilson say they're looking forward to another, educational option.

"If they give us any opportunity to learn something new, make you a better person in life, might as well take it," said Wilson.

"Anything that can broaden my horizons, education wise, is good," said Allen.

Woman sentenced to Jail, ordered to write anti-alcohol essay for stabbing man over smelly foot joke

January 25, 2011
Jaime Uribarri
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Jail is going to stink for a Washington State woman convicted of stabbing a man in a drunken rage after he made fun of her smelly feet.  Dallas Smith, 18, will serve 15 months in prison for plunging a knife into the back of 19-year-old Willy Simpson, who made the near-fatal mistake of joking about Smith's foot odor during a party, HeraldNet.com reported.

Not only that, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge David Kurtz also ordered Smith to write a minimum six-page essay on the negative effects of alcohol.

Prisoner faces more charges after spitting incident in Franklin County Courthouse

February 3, 2011
Jim Tuttle
PublicOpinionOnline.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- A Franklin County Jail inmate faces charges after he allegedly spit in a deputy's face and forced officers to carry him out of the courthouse following a legal proceeding.

Jermaine Terrell Miller, 27, is charged with aggravated assault by a prisoner and making terroristic threats in connection with the alleged Jan. 3 incident.

He attended a preliminary hearing Tuesday and a judge determined there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to the county court level.

According to online court records, Miller was in Franklin County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. On the day of the alleged spitting incident, he was at Franklin County Courthouse to attend a pretrial conference on a third-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge for allegedly making "unreasonable noise."

After the conference was continued to a later date and Franklin County President Judge Douglas Herman excused Miller, he allegedly refused to leave, according to charging documents. He was already wearing a "spit hood" because of prior spitting incidents at the jail.

Franklin County Sheriff Dane Anthony said a spit hood resembles the headgear that beekeepers wear while tending hives. The wearer is prevented from spitting, but is able to see through a fabric mesh positioned at eye level.

When Miller refused to leave the courtroom, deputies Brian Cramer and Robert Miller grasped his arms in an attempt to escort him out, according to the affidavit written byChief Deputy Randy Stroble.

"I advised inmate Miller that he must stop his resisting or he'd be carried out of the building," Stroble wrote.

He allegedly continued to struggle, and the deputies began to pick him up. While they were doing so, he allegedly pulled down the hood and spit in Cramer's face.

"Some people struggle with taking responsibilities for their own actions. When they're punished for it, they're not very happy and that's why these incidents can occur," Anthony said.

The deputies carried Miller out of the building and placed him in a van for transport back to jail. While Stroble and Miller rode in the back with him, Miller allegedly threatened repeatedly to kill them.

Anthony said Cramer was taken for a health checkup following the spitting incident. Certain precautions have to be taken when dealing with potentially disease-carrying bodily fluids, he said.

"I would sooner have a guy take a swing at me than spit in my face," Anthony said.

Disruptions at the courthouse are not uncommon, but spitting incidents are, he said.

"When you're dealing with some of these types of people, nothing surprises you though," Anthony said.

Detroit man, 18, gets life in killing of Matthew Landry

(Told the Judge...."I felt kinda bad")

February 3, 2011
Christine Ferretti
DetNews.com

Mount Clemens— Robert Taylor, sentenced to life in prison today for kidnapping and killing a Chesterfield Township man in 2009, told the judge he "felt kinda bad" for the victim.

"I do feel kinda bad for the situation that happened," the 18-year-old Detroiter told Macomb County Circuit Judge Diane Druzinski. "I do wish he was alive. He lost his life for something that was not necessary."

Taylor was convicted in December of felony murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and firearm charges in the death of Matthew Landry of Chesterfield Township. Prosecutors say Taylor acted as a lookout while co-defendant Ihab Maslamani, 19, beat and shoved the 21-year-old musician into his own Honda Accord in the parking lot of an Eastpointe sandwich shop. The teens then held Landry captive for hours, draining his bank account and selling off his car stereo equipment, before they shot him in the head inside a burned-out house in Detroit.

Landry's mother, Doreen Landry, told Taylor today she's sorry he grew up in a formerly quaint neighborhood in Detroit that's become a "war zone."

Even though the teen will spend the rest of his life behind bars, Doreen Landry told him he does have a chance to do "one decent thing." She urged him to discourage his younger siblings — a teenage sister and brother — from meeting a similar fate.

"Reach out to them. Don't let them turn you into a hero or go down the same path," she said. "You don't want them to be sitting where you are … facing another heartbroken mother. You think about that."

Taylor's mother, Rhonda Taylor, embraced Landry's mother and sister after today's hearing and expressed her sorrow for their loss. The mother of six and her husband, Lance Owens, say Robert was a victim of circumstance.

"He was a child at the time and with the wrong person," Owens said of his stepson, as a tearful Rhonda Taylor clung to his arm.

Taylor said she agreed with Doreen Landry's advice for her son.

"What she was saying was right," she said. "They (her youngest children) took it real hard. I don't think they will ever forget it."

Maslamani was convicted in October of 18 counts, including felony murder, in connection with a three-day crime spree of bank robbery, carjackings and Landry's kidnapping and death.

The Lebanon native, who illegally entered the United States at the age of 8, is serving a life sentence at a facility in Ionia.

Belleville inmate returns from funeral with heroin, police say

The dude couldn't even stay off the sh#t while burying his Dad....amazing

February 6, 2011
STLToday.com

Authorities at the St. Clair County jail gave an inmate, Christopher Koch, 30, of Belleville, a furlough to attend his father's funeral — only to see him return to custody with a container of heroin. Koch's father, Roy Koch Jr., 49, of Belleville, died Jan. 29 at his home while his son was in the county jail on drug charges, Lt. Jack Dinges of the Sheriff's Department said. The jail last Monday furloughed Koch to attend his father's funeral on Tuesday at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. Before Koch's scheduled return to jail, Belleville police on Wednesday arrested him after a traffic stop and took him to jail. When he arrived there, drugs believed to be heroin were found in his possession, Dinges said. Koch had been in jail for nine days on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. He received a new charge of possession on Friday. He is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail on the new charge in addition to $50,000 bail on the original charge.

Napa County Jail inmate critically injured after setting himself on fire

The inmate, Vernon Cannon, 29, also wrapped himself in toilet paper before setting himself ablaze and used bedding and clothing to further fuel the flames, Napa County spokeswoman Elizabeth Emmett said.

Cannon was a patient at Napa State Hospital for the mentally ill until September, when he was charged with an assault on the medical campus and transferred to the county jail Sept. 14, Emmett said. He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Because Cannon was housed in a medical cell, there was an electrical outlet inside, though it was unclear if it was covered or not, Emmett said.

The inmate did not have access to a lighter or matches or combustible liquids, she said.

“People who are intent on hurting themselves can often be very, very creative,” she said.

About 80 percent of Napa State Hospital’s 1,200 patients are referred by state criminal courts for the mentally disordered offender program and other services. It was not clear if Cannon was in that category.

Correctional staff checked in on him regularly but he was able to light himself on fire between about 7:30 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Emmett said.

A correctional guard who found him on fire in the third floor cell, called 911 and alerted jail staff, who evacuated about 100 inmates from the third floor to other areas of the jail because of smoke, Emmett said.

Fire damage was confined to the cell, Emmett said.

Cannon was taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa for initial treatment, and later flown to the burn unit at UC Davis Medical Center, officials said.

Inmate Attempts Suicide At Nueces County Jail

February 14, 2011
KRISTV.com

CORPUS CHRISTI - A Nueces County Jail inmate tried to hang himself Monday morning. A guard making his rounds found 48-year-old Ramon Hernandez in his cell with a towel around his neck. Hernandez was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay. He's been in jail since November on a motion to revoke his probation for a criminal mischief conviction.

February 14, 2011
Amelia Childers
Volunteertv.com

The search is over for an escaped inmate out of Claiborne County.

Claiborne County, TN (WVLT) -- The search for a Claiborne County Jail inmate is over.

Dean Kinningham, 47 of Sneedville, walked out of the jail around 9:11 Sunday night. One they discovered he was gone, the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department immediately launched a search within a 1.5 mile radius around the jail. Both on-duty and off-duty officers assisted in the search, as well as Knox County Sheriff's helicopter and K-9 units. The helicopter's new thermal imaging technology located the suspect hiding underneath a rock only a hundred feet from the jail.

Kinningham will be charged with Felony Escape on top of other charges he is already facing. He was booked into jail in late December for an armed robbery at a Tazewell pharmacy.

Inmate charged after shank found under mattress

February 15, 2011
HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

BROOKSVILLE - An inmate at the Hernando County Jail was charged Tuesday with possession of contraband after deputies found a sharp weapon concealed in his cell mattress.

Authorities say the weapon belonged to Scott Lee Phillips, 25, and was found after a deputy received information from a source stating that Phillips was in possession of a sharp object that appeared to be a shank.

Head-butting inmate has new legal problem

Hey...I tell these inmates when they come into the Jail to (Use your head next time!).  But this is taking it way to far dude
                                                          Sergeant Sandvig

February 16, 2011
BuffaloNews.com

LOCKPORT—A Niagara County Jail inmate was charged with criminal mischief Monday after head-butted the glass on a holding cell, breaking it.

Aaron L. Mount Pleasant, 33, of Mount Hope Road, Lewiston, was brought to the jail, highly intoxicated, on disorderly conduct charges from the Town of Lewiston Sunday, deputies said.

Damage to the door was estimated at $400.

 where I come from..I  cannot argue with thiS
   Sergeant Sandvig   !!

February 18, 2011
Tom McIntrye
CentralIllinoisNewsCenter.com

The McLean County Sheriff says two jail inmates are facing new charges after a search on Monday turned up a nine-inch piece of metal filed to a point.

The two inmates, 32 year old Derek Riggs and 31 year old Keith Wright have been charged with Possession of a weapon in a Penal Institution, and Unlawful use of weapon.

Their bonds were set at one million dollars each.

The weapon had been made from a chair adjustment handle taken from the jail's law library.

Sheriff Mike Emery, in a statement, said quick action on the part of corrections officers prevented the possibility of an attack on a jail officer or another inmate.

2 charged with conning inmate in attorney scam

Police: Inmate caught with marijuana

Go ahead and look up "genius" in the dictionary...you'll find Mr. Ramey's picture.
                                        Sergeant Sandvig 

February 21, 2011

Court documents indicate a jail inmate was found with marijuana.

Justin Daniel Ramey, 24, is charged with possession of a controlled substance on jail premises stemming from an incident on Saturday.

Ramey remained in jail Monday. He is also charged with misdemeanor larceny and possession of marijuana. His bond is set at $7,000.

He got pinched: Inmate caught trying to sneak tobacco into County Jail

Just a pinch between the cheeks will do ya!!
                   Sergeant Sandvig 

February 14, 2011
wiscnews.com

A Baraboo man was caught trying to bring smokeless tobacco into Sauk County jail by concealing it in one of his body cavities.

According to a criminal complaint, Alex M. Balch, 24, was planning to sell the tobacco to his fellow inmates.

Jail records indicate Balch was already an inmate at the jail, serving a sentence for possession of child pornography, when he tried to sneak in the chewing tobacco last July.

According to the criminal complaint, one of the jail deputies was advised that Balch was going to bring in the smokeless tobacco. The deputy asked Balch about the contraband, and Balch admitted that he had wrapped the chewing tobacco in four sandwich bags and had intended to sell the tobacco to other inmates.

After some time, Balch was able to turn the contraband of sandwich bags and chewing tobacco over to deputies, the complaint stated.

Before being booked, Balch was provided with information regarding jail rules, including prohibition of the possession and use of tobacco. Balch signed an acknowledgement of the rules in June.

If he is found guilty of the one felony county of attempting to deliver illegal articles to an inmate, Balch could up fined up to $10,000 or be imprisoned not more than nine months or both.

Balch will make his initial appearance March 10 in Sauk County Circuit Court.

Jail inmates charged after shank found

Suspect on special watch at Jail
     (pulling out his intestines)

Claiborne robber defendant also faces charges in Knox

• By Natalie Neysa Alund
• Knoxville News Sentinel
• February 24, 2011

Inmate’s injury to cost $83,684

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

February 24, 2011 - By TOM GIAMBRONI

LISBON - Columbiana County commissioners have to pay a $83,684 bill for hospital expenses incurred by a jail inmate who witnesses say deliberately injured himself.

"We knew when we drafted our budget in December we would get a bill, but we didn't know it would be that big," said Commissioner Penny Traina.

The incident occurred at the county jail on Nov. 16, when inmate Ronald E. Davie reportedly ran to the second floor of his cellblock, climbed the railing and jumped, landing head-first on the concrete floor below. Davie, 29, was flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery for severe head injuries.

Davie was incarcerated for felony domestic violence, but the charges were dropped because he remained in a coma and was being transferred to a long-term health care facility. This was done so the county would avoid continuing to be responsible for Davie's medical bills.

Traina said Davie was hospitalized for 17 days, during which time medical expenses totaling $284,755 were incurred. Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage for the poor, paid for all but $83,684, which is the county's responsibility.

"I was shocked when they called me with this," she said.

As long as an inmate remains in custody the county is responsible for his medical expenses, regardless of whether it be at the jail, a hospital or for outpatient treatment. Commissioners had to pay $172,000 in inmate medical expenses in 2009. Traina said the county cannot afford too many unexpected expenses of this sort since they are bracing for a reduction of more than $300,000 in Local Government Fund revenue this year due to anticipated state budget cuts.

"The board is so frugal, and we look at everything, but how do we plan for something like this? These are unexpected costs and something has to give," she said.

At the time of the incident Davie was awaiting a trial date for reportedly punching his mother in the face and head while at the Walmart parking lot in Calcutta in 2009.

The charge was a felony because he had two other prior domestic violence complaints.

A Day in the Life of an Inmate

Behind the bars at the Eastern Shore Regional Jail

EASTVILLE -- The individual cells are small and windowless at the Eastern Shore Regional Jail in Virginia.

Each cell has a bed, a toilet and a sink. The inmate has the cell to himself. There are no bars, but rather a door with a long window that allows guards to see inside.

The inmates who are there have been sentenced to 12 months or less, are awaiting trial, or are waiting to be picked up and taken to a state penitentiary. The facility, which cost more than $18 million, was built to house 248 inmates, but currently has only 90 -- 85 men and five women.

For an inmate, it is a spartan lifestyle in which everything is dictated -- how many books inmates can have, what time they can leave their cells and enter the cellblock, how they receive visitors.

"You can't have privacy in the jail," said Capt. Roger Kennedy, who is in charge of running the jail.

Perhaps the lone bright spots are the homemade bread and even cinnamon rolls made onsite by Peggy Rogers, who manages the kitchen staff.

The jail, which opened in 2007, has had highs and lows. It replaced a decaying facility approaching 100 years old; before the new jail was opened, the county paid large sums of money to incarcerate inmates in other jails.

County officials have tried unsuccessfully to boost population and increase revenues by housing federal inmates there. The state also hasn't reimbursed the county more than $3 million that was promised because it is a regional jail, but could soon.

But such concerns seem distant behind the modern facade of the large building.

Entering jail

People enter the Eastern Shore Regional Jail either directly from court in police custody after a conviction, or by presenting themselves at the door on a certain date if specified by the court.

For example, a person who is permitted to serve his time on weekends will check himself in by 6 p.m. on a Friday.

The inmate-to-be sheds whatever clothes and possessions he might have and changes into a prison jumpsuit.

His belongings are stored in bags in a special room. He or she is allowed to possess five pairs each of underpants, undershirts, socks and three pairs of insulated underwear.

According to a sign posted in the jail booking area, the only requirement is that the underwear be white and that no sleeveless undershirts, described as "wifebeaters," may be worn.

The inmate may wear his own athletic shoes if they are all white or all black and have no metal inside or out. He may keep a generic watch and a simple wedding band. Anything fancy or valuable will be stored with his other belongings.

He is issued a cup with a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and shaving supplies. Women may have no cosmetics or makeup.

A prisoner may keep up to five paperback books in the cell with him -- no hardbacks and no more than five at any one time. The books will be checked for inappropriate material and contraband, said Kennedy.

Each new inmate is immediately given a test for tuberculosis and kept separate from the general population until the test shows the person to be free of the disease. He is also given a book of rules and regulations that must be followed.

If he is serving weekends or is in jail on a civil charge such as failing to meet child support payments, he goes to a dormitory area -- where there are bunk beds in a large two-story space -- rather than to the individual cells where the medium and maximum security prisoners are held.

Television channels

The cell door opens at 6 a.m. each day and the prisoners can go out into the cellblock area. Breakfast is brought to the door on covered trays.

Lunch is at 11 a.m. and dinner is served at 4 p.m. Each prisoner eats meals approved by a dietitian and receives 2,200 calories a day, said Kennedy, who spoke proudly of the food service operation there.

Inmates who are trustees help out there and in the laundry as well as with general cleaning, he said.

Inmates must be in their cells at 11 p.m. when the cell doors are locked.

There are tables and chairs in the common area and a television. There are two showers, and inmates may shower at will.

The water is controlled by a button that must be pushed roughly every minute to keep the water flowing. No hair dryers, hot rollers or any other hair care items are allowed other than hair clippers.

Visitation is allowed on weekdays. Each visit is 30 minutes maximum. A visit may include two adults or one adult and two children. In the visiting area, inmates are separated from visitors by a glass screen and speak to each other by a closed-circuit telephone.

The prisoners are allowed exercise Monday through Friday, when possible, Kennedy said. There is a gym available.

Inmates are allowed to spend their own money to buy a television for their individual cell. It must be bought through the jail commissary and costs $151, according to Kennedy.

The televisions are unique -- they have clear plastic cases so that contraband cannot be concealed inside.

The jail televisions are connected to satellite TV and inmates can receive 12 channels. Every six months or so, a vote is taken among inmates as to which channels they would like, Kennedy said.

Each is given a list of approved channels from which to choose and the 12 most popular are made available. Sports channels are among those most often chosen, Kennedy said.

The Northampton County Sheriff's Office runs the jail, said newly appointed Sheriff David Doughty.

"All employees, including cooks, medical staff and administrative assistants are employees under the supervision of the sheriff," he said.

Inmate Smuggles Pills into Jail in Her Vagina

February 25, 2011
Brian Moylan
Gawker.com

When arriving to jail in Florida to serve 30 days for drug possession, corrections officers asked Sara King if she had anything she's not supposed to have. She replied, "Just my pills in my vagina."

She was hiding eight pills up there which she handed over to police. They were Buprenorphine SL, a drug used to treat narcotics addiction. Why bother to smuggle them in if you're just going to admit they're there? That's like stealing something from a store then going to put it back on the shelf an hour later. And she isn't getting a break for being honest: She's now facing an "introduction of contraband" charge.

Associated Press
February 25, 2011

TYLER, Texas (AP) - A Texas prison system inmate has pleaded guilty to making a written threat against President Barack Obama.

Prosecutors on Friday announced 28-year-old Robert Lee Berkley Jr. of Rusk pleaded guilty to making threats against the president.

No sentencing date was immediately set by a federal magistrate in Tyler. Berkley, who pleaded guilty Wednesday, faces up to five years in federal prison.

Investigators say Berkley last June was in the Hodge Unit when he wrote a letter claiming, when he's released, he planned to travel to Washington in order to kill the president and his family. Berkley was indicted last July.

A spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice did not immediately return a message Friday from The Associated Press to provide details on Berkley's state imprisonment.

Woman charged with smuggling contraband into Jail

February 28, 2011
Suevon Lee
Ocala.com

An Ocklawaha woman has been accused of trying to smuggle into the Marion County Jail prescription pills that were hidden in and on her body. Among the pills retrieved by jail officials were three from the hem of the woman’s pants and 62 wrapped in two condoms from her body.

Rhonda Gail Bass, 49, was reporting to the facility for violating probation on a battery domestic charge. She consented to a body cavity search after officials suspected she may be hiding additional contraband following a strip search, according to an incident report.

Bass was charged with smuggling contraband into a detention facility.

She told officers she hid the pills, including inside the lining of her bra, because she was afraid she wouldn’t have access to them at the jail.

Snubbed cigarette lands Maine man in Jail

February 28, 2011
Boston.com

BANGOR, Maine—A 21-year-old Maine man faces charges for allegedly snubbing out a cigarette on his sister's face after she got angry with him for taking too much of her loose-leaf tobacco to roll his own.

Bangor police say officers were called to a Union Street address Sunday afternoon to address a report of a family fight.

A woman there told police that her brother, Anthony Bowie, had punched a lamp and then pressed the cigarette into her face. Police said she had given him permission to have some of her tobacco, but that they began arguing after he took more than what she had offered.

Bowie is charged with domestic assault and criminal mischief.

February 28, 2011
VolunteerTV.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Authorities have charged nine inmates with smuggling drugs and other contraband into a Memphis-area jail.

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin said Monday that seven of the nine current or former inmates at the Shelby County Correctional Center facility have been arrested.

Godwin says a "facilitator" from outside the jail would throw the bundled contraband over the fence and onto the roof of the facility. An inmate would then retrieve it from the roof and distribute it in the jail.

The contraband included marijuana, Vicodin pills, tobacco, cell phones, razor blades and MP3 players.

No corrections officers have been charged, though two resigned during the investigation.

Jail trusty attempts SUICIDE

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office has begun an internal investigation into an apparent suicide attempt by a jail inmate.

The name of the 40-year-old inmate was not released Monday. The man was in “extremely critical condition,” according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

The man was booked into the jail on Jan. 9 on a grand theft charge, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Todd Kelly said.

“He was a trusty on overnight floor detail, and he had access to a warehouse where he hung himself with an extension cord,” Kelly said. Another inmate, who was part of an overnight cleaning crew, found him at about 1 a.m. Monday, according to the news release. Sheriff's officials performed CPR on the injured inmate, and he was taken by ambulance to Shands at the University of Florida.

On the inmate's bed in the dormitory, Kelly said jail officials found what appeared to be a suicide note written by the man, but the contents in the note were not released.

Prisoner accused of making shank

March 1, 2011
Jennifer Micale
PressConnects.com

A 22-year-old Norwich man was charged Monday with felony first-degree promoting prison contraband after he made a prison shank out of a plastic hanger, according to the Chenango County Sheriff’s office.

When Jail is like home

Repeat offenders make up most of the inmate population

March 6, 2011
Shane Benjamin
DurangoHerald.com

Ohio priest headed to rehab after drunken Jail cell rant following DUI bust goes viral (VIDEO)

March 6, 2011
Philip Caufield
NYDailynews.com

A disgraced priest in Ohio is leaving his church and headed to rehab after a drunken, obscenity-laced rant from a jail cell was captured on video and posted on the Internet.

Rev. Ignatius J. Kury, 35, pastor of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Akron, was busted for drunk driving last Sunday after he drove his car off a road during a Sabbath booze binge.

Kury was taken to police headquarters in Brimfield Township, where he blew a .203 in a breathalyzer test, nearly three times the state's legal limit of .08.

While in custody, Kury was handcuffed to a wall and, at one point, exposed himself to a police officer, prompting the officer to begin filming him, The Akron Beacon Journal reported.

For the next 20 minutes, Kury launched into a profane tirade, cursing at officers, offering sexual favors in exchange for his release, threatening that Oprah Winfrey would bring her "fat –ss" to Ohio soon to tell his story, and, at one point, belting out a warbling version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Kury can also be seen crying and calling out for his "daddy."  

Video of the jail cell rant went viral last week, and Kury's lawyer said Friday the priest made the decision to leave the parish and enter rehab after watching it.

"He's an extremely intoxicated priest. I don't think being a priest saves you from the affects of alcohol," Kury's lawyer, Walter Benson, told CNN. "He's feeling horrible. He's unbelievably remorseful for his actions. He's trying to be proactive to address the issues that he has."

The bust was Kury's fourth DUI since 1996, according to the Beacon Journal.

He pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges on Friday and remains free on bond. His license has been suspended, and police said they are not charging him with any crimes stemming from his behavior while in custody.

He faces 20 days in jail if convicted.

Benson called Kury "a good man" who has offered grief counseling, helped orphans in Europe and also won community service awards.

"It doesn't take away from all the great things that he's done in our community or in other places," Benson told CNN. "I don't think he should be judged solely on this one terrible lapse of judgment. "

It's not clear if Kury will return to the parish after the rehab stint.

Suspect drives himself to jail after high-speed chase

March 4, 2011

Aaron Krause
NorwalkReflector.com

Suspects who lead authorities on a high-speed chase usually don't voluntarily drive to the Jail.

But Huron County Sheriff's deputies probably couldn't ask for a better end to a high-speed chase than what happened Friday.

Donald A. Osterland, 44, of 2940 Ohio 162, New London, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, felony fleeing and eluding, no operator's license and breaking and entering.

The breaking and entering charge stems from an early-morning Feb. 25 incident at the Fitchville Mart.

The series of events that led to Osterland's admission and arrest began just after 8 a.m. Friday.

In his report, Deputy Chris Williamson wrote he was northbound on Ohio 13 in the area of U.S. 224 in Greenwich Township when he noticed a silver, older-model Chevrolet pickup truck passing his vehicle on double-yellow line at a high rate of speed.

Williamson activated his overhead emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop. The pickup slowed to about 25 to 35 mph and began to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle did not immediately stop. It continued at a slow speed for about a quarter of a mile before pulling off the roadway and into a field. Williamson and Deputy Scott Plew exited their patrol vehicle and tried to make contact with the driver.

"The vehicle was heard revving loudly," the report states. "At that time, the operator put the vehicle in gear and began to drive away. The vehicle then drove in a large circle into the field in a reckless manner, and then back on to the roadway, traveling northbound, fleeing at a high rate of speed."

The deputies returned to their vehicle and, with emergency siren activated, chased Osterland northbound on Ohio 13, reaching speeds of about 110 mph in a posted 55-mph zone. When the pursuit reached U.S. 250, the fleeing vehicle stopped at the red light at the intersection of Ohio 13 and U.S. 250. It continued northwest on U.S. 250 at about 70 mph, deputies said.

The vehicle then accelerated to about 100 mph, continuing northwest on 250. Osterland crossed over U.S. 20 at about 60 mph in a 35-mph zone. He came to an abrupt stop at Shady Lane and U.S. 250/Benedict Avenue and made a sharp left turn into Subway's parking lot on Benedict Avenue, the report states.

The vehicle then made a sharp left without stopping at the stop sign and went to Shady Lane. From there, the vehicle went onto Shady Lane Drive without stopping at a stop sign and continued west before making a sharp left into the sheriff's office parking lot. The vehicle drove through the parking area and to the rear of the building, where it came to a stop at the jail's controlled entryway doors, deputies said.

"It's very unusual to have a high-speed pursuit where the suspect drives right to the Huron County Jail," Huron County Sheriff's Capt. Ted Patrick said.

Deputies said they noticed a "strong odor of an intoxicating beverage ... on or about his person and his eyes appeared bloodshot and glass."

"I asked Mr. Osterland how much alcohol he had drank (last) evening, to which he stated, 'Enough,'" Williamson wrote. A breathalyzer test revealed Osterland's blood-alcohol content level was at .172 percent and .161 percent on a second attempt -- both invalid samples.

Huron County Sheriff's Capt. Bob McLaughlin said Osterland indicated he wanted to turn himself in.

McLaughlin said that in his 30 years of law enforcement, he has never witnessed such an event.

Following Friday's high speed chase, deputies recognized Osterland from a surveillance camera as the person responsible for the robbery, Patrick said.

Osterland then admitted to it, Patrick added.

Osterland allegedly stole 100 packs of cigarettes and four 18-packs of Bud Light. At the time, the suspect wore a ski mask over his head, Patrick said.

At one point, Osterland lifted the mask, revealing his face. Authorities took a still photograph of the tape and circulated it with other agencies and police within the Huron County Sheriff's Office.

Plew and Williamson, who pursued Osterland in Friday's chase, recognized him as the person from the picture.

Osterland is being held in the Huron County Jail, unable to post a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Inmate used Bible page to roll joint at Rock Hill jail

Mom held on $5M bond in death of boy found in oven
Unbelievable.....Sergeant Sandvig 

March 3, 2011
Associated Press

Jail prisoner attempts suicide

March 13, 2011
BEN TINSLEY
BayTownSun.com

A prisoner in the Baytown City Jail attempted to kill himself by consuming cleaning supplies Friday morning, police said.

However, authorities were able to stop the prisoner within minutes of his suicide attempt at the city jail — 3100 North Main Street — and get him into medical custody, according to reports.

Inmate arrested on extortion charge

March 11, 2011
NICK BONHAM
Chieftain.com

Report says she got painkillers, controlled prisoners with threats.

A female inmate at Pueblo County jail was arrested Thursday on suspicion of extortion.

  Vicky Isabelle Vigil, 41, is accused of threatening inmates with violence in exchange for extra clothes, food, commissary and having other inmates smuggle drugs into the detention center, according to an affidavit by Deputy Caitlin Tousky.

The investigation into Vigil began when deputies received a tip that a 22-year-old female work-release inmate might be smuggling prescription medicine into the jail Thursday.

  The woman said Vigil threatened to have her assaulted, shot at while at work and to harm her children at school if she didn't smuggle in painkillers for Vigil, the affidavit said.

  Deputies found 16 Percocet pills on the woman.

  The woman told deputies that Vigil said, "I will have you beat up every day until you bring me in my pills," the affidavit said.

  Vigil reportedly held sway over occupants in a dorm wing where female inmates were threatened unless they paid her "rent," the affidavit said.

  Inmates reportedly paid Vigil to watch television or sit in the common area. One inmate told deputies that she hadn't left her bed for 72 days, other than to go to the bathroom, because she was afraid of Vigil.

  In searching Vigil's belongings, deputies found three extra sets of clothes and two mattress covers, the affidavit said.

  After the investigation, Vigil was transferred to another area of the jail.

  Vigil and Nicholas Byard, 23, were arrested in October 2010 for reportedly stealing a saddle, two cashier's checks each valued at more than $100,000 and a blank checkbook from an elderly couple in Boone.

  The affidavit did not contain statements from Vigil or say whether she agreed to talk to investigators.

  Capt. Dave Lucero said Vigil's alleged actions, also known as "bulldogging," is common at county jail.

  "We have that type of behavior. It's less common the more and more we supervise the inmates. We don't tolerate bulldogging. Whenever we find out about it we address it by locking down the offender," he said.

Prison inmates settle with state over religion at Nebraska State Pen

    Evidently MURDER is a "pre-requisite" for practicing this religion.
                                                                Sergeant Sandvig  

March 13, 2011
Lori Pilger
JournalStar.com

Two Nebraska State Penitentiary inmates -- both serving time for murder -- have fought successfully to get the prison to accommodate their Theodish belief practices.

Wolfgang Rust and Bobby Conn sued the state Department of Correctional Services Religion Study Committee and Corrections Director Robert Houston in U.S. District Court in 2008.

The case was finalized in federal court this week, with the state agreeing to pay $12,400 for Rust's and Conn's attorney fees.

In the lawsuit, they described the Theodish belief as retro-heathenry, with a focus on pre-fifth and -sixth-century Old English/Continental tradition and dedicated to practicing the religion of their ancestors in an authentic, traditional tribal form "as close to the elder ways as possible."

This isn't the first time Rust has sued the prison over religious issues. In 1992, he and other inmates filed a suit alleging the prison wasn't allowing them the items they required to practice Asatru. The federal court ruled against them.

The Religion Study Committee later denied requests to schedule separate worship times for the Theodish belief and Asatru because of time and space constraints, prompting the current suit.

In court documents, Rust and Conn alleged the prison had put a substantial burden on their exercise of religion by setting specific guidelines to develop and conduct religious practices and violated their right to congregate and practice their faith by refusing to provide an outdoor space for a worship site to create an altar and by denying them certain organic foods to be sacrificed to the gods.

They also asked the court to require the prison to recognize the Theodish belief as separate from Asatru and to allow them to have personal and communal religious property to practice their religion.

After months of negotiations, both sides reached an agreement approved by U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp in December.

The prison agreed to schedule separate worship services and educational instruction and to allow Theodish belief practitioners to buy and eat organic food during the feast days so long as the food doesn't require special handling procedures and is available from a commercial source by mail order or delivery.

They also agreed to allow them to buy three dozen items -- including two drinking horns and stands, yule log, miniature plow and wagon, a boar's tusk, a 20-inch wooden sword and runes -- as communal religious property, according to court records.

Rust, who changed his name legally from John Rust, has been in prison since 1975, serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and three counts of shooting with intent to kill, wound or maim out of Douglas County.

Conn began serving a 20- to 30-year sentence in 2002 for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in Sherman County.

Woman unloads foil and syringes at Jail

March 19, 2011
tampabay.com

A woman decided against trying to bring contraband into the Pasco jail with her as she was being booked into the facility Thursday night, deputies said, and unloaded drugs and paraphernalia from on — and in — her person.

According to the Pasco Sheriff's Office, Sherese Hutchinson removed "several bags" of methamphetamine, a spoon and syringes, as well as a ball of tin foil. Hutchinson, 27, of Tampa had been a passenger in a car that was pulled over on a traffic stop in Zephyrhills about 9 p.m. and was "nervous, breathing heavily and refusing to sit still," a report states. A deputy found a container of methamphetamine in her pocketbook, authorities said.

Hutchinson previously served time in prison for credit card fraud and possession of methamphetamine, according to the Department of Corrections.

She is charged with giving false identification to law enforcement officers, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and failing to appear in court on previous charges. She was in the county jail Friday in lieu of $8,339 bail.

Inmate says he was denied medical care, toilet paper

SC man who had SeX with horse released from prison

March 22, 2011
Associated Press

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A South Carolina man who twice pleaded guilty to having sex with a horse has been released from prison after 16 months and ordered to stay away from the stable where the animal lives.

Probation officials said Monday that Rodell Vereen, 51, was let out of prison March 1.

Vereen must complete two years of probation or he will have to finish the five-year sentence he received in November 2009 after pleading guilty to buggery and trespassing. The Sun-News of Myrtle Beach first reported Vereen's release.

Vereen was arrested after the owner of the horse staked out her stable and caught Vereen sneaking inside. She held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

The owner said she spent several nights in the barn after catching Vereen having sex with the animal on surveillance tapes. She feared he had returned because her horse was acting strange and getting infections again. She also noticed dirt and hay piled up near the horse's stall in Longs, about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach.

Inmate accused of discharging fire extinguisher

April 4, 2011
HernandoToday.com

BROOKSVILLE - A Jail inmate previously charged with hiding a shank in his mattress was at it again this weekend — this time by grabbing and discharging a fire extinguisher while yelling profanities.

Scott Lee Phillips, 25, is charged with interfering with fire suppression equipment on Sunday after deputies say he dispensed the fire extinguishers contents in a fit of anger, according to a Hernando County Sheriff's Office report.

Deputies say Phillips was on the telephone when he became enraged and threw his coffee cup against the wall. The report shows he then grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall and emptied it while shouting to deputies, "Now clean that up you (expletive)!"

In October, Phillips was charged with grand theft auto and aggravated battery stemming from accusations that he assaulted his pregnant ex-girlfriend and stole her car. In February, deputies found a sharp object hidden in his cell mattress.

A Lorain County Jail inmate sent a Summit County judge a letter that contained white powder.

The incident happened on Wednesday, April 6th.

The Baliff for Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands opened the letter sent by DeAerre Smith.

Smith had been sentenced by Judge Rowland.

The HAZMAT team identified the white powder as talcom powder.

The judge has received letters in the past from Smith, containing hair.

Harris is a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio and is currently incarcerated at the Lorain Correctional Facility.

The information was forwarded to the postal inspection service and the Lorain Correctional Center.

Further charges may follow pending the outcome of the investigation.

LANCASTER, Wis.  (AP) - A Grant County Jail Inmate is charged with running a drug business while behind bars.

Investigators say they have more than 500 recorded phone calls in which 25-year-old Christopher Hardy was directing his drug operation from jail. 33-year-old Carl Vandenberg is accused of helping Hardy sell marijuana, usually about a half-pound a week.

Both men are charged with 17 counts of being party to the delivery of a controlled substance. A conviction on all charges carries a maximum of nearly 60 years in prison.

WKOW-TV says Hardy and Vandenberg are scheduled in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.