Lawmakers discuss sentencing
Proposed changes would reclassify drug crimes and emphasize county oversight.
Indiana Department of Correction
Articles
Judges uphold involuntary commitment
When a defendant has been previously committed to a state institution because he was found incompetent to stand trial, that state institution may be considered a community mental health center for purposes of a report required under Indiana Code 12-26-7-3(b), the Indiana Court of Appeals held Monday.
Appeals court affirms sending employee appeal back to agency
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of a fired Department of Correction employee’s petition for judicial review, finding that it was clear on the record that an administrative agency’s action was without evidentiary foundation. The appellate court noted the difficulty the judge had in conducting the judicial review due to deficiencies in recording testimony.
Circuit Court upholds ban on pen-pal solicitation by inmates
The First Amendment rights of Indiana inmates aren’t being violated by a ban instituted by the Department of Correction on advertising for pen-pals and receiving materials from resources that allow people to advertise for pen-pals, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Tuesday.
DOC drops kosher meal appeal
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the Indiana Department of Correction and other appellants’ motion to dismiss their appeal of a case in which a federal judge found the DOC violated prisoners’ rights by denying kosher meals.
Credit-time statute amendment not retroactive
An amendment to the statute governing credit-time eligibility for people on home detention in criminal corrections programs is not retroactive, therefore, a defendant isn’t entitled to credit time under the amendment, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded Wednesday.
7th Circuit: Staff should have told inmate to stop taking aspirin
A District Court erred in granting summary judgment for the government on an inmate’s suit claiming his complications from a surgery were the result of the prison medical staff disregarding instructions he stop taking blood thinners prior to his surgery.
County restores original service
After the Indiana Department of Corrections switched in the summer of 2010 from one victims’ notification service to another as a cost-saving measure, one northern Indiana county has restored its program with the previous service provider.
Governor names new head of DOC
Bruce Lemmon will be the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction. Gov. Mitch Daniels’ office announced the appointment Thursday.
State changes victim alerts
The Indiana Department of Correction recently changed how it will notify those who register to find out where someone is in
the system, whether it’s a transfer from one jail to another, a change in status, or a legal hearing.
Counties must pay for juvenile facilities
Indiana counties are responsible to pay a portion of costs to operate juvenile detention facilities.
‘Out of the court’s hands’
Lake County teen recognizes she is responsible for future in juvenile system.
Court rules on sex offender status decisions
Tackling the issue of who determines whether a convicted sex offender is considered a “sexually violent predator,”
the Indiana Court of Appeals today issued the latest ruling in a line of cases about the state’s sex offender registry
and how convicts’ names are removed.
DOC to use DNA to fight contraband
The Indiana Department of Correction will use technology to analyze DNA samples
from prison contraband, thanks to a pilot project believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Judge certifies sex offender’s class-action suit
A federal judge has certified a convicted sex offender's suit against the Indiana Department of Correction as a class action. The plaintiff claims registrants have no procedure to correct errors on the sex and violent offender registry.
2 Ind. juvenile facilities rank high in DOJ report
Two Indiana juvenile facilities are cited in a new U.S. Department of Justice report for having high rates of sexual victimization among the young offenders.
COA rules on re-registration of offenders
Two sex offenders serving or who had completed their 10-year registration period shouldn't have been required to re-register for another 10-year period after being convicted of any other crime, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded today.
Attorney’s kidnapper nets 60-year sentence
The man who abducted his attorney in July 2008 has been sentenced to 60 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
Single order can have more than 1 disposition
The Indiana Supreme Court has clarified juvenile caselaw, telling trial courts they can order a juvenile be committed to the Department of Correction and in the same order also require probation after release.
COA declines ruling on constitutionality of plan
The Indiana Court of Appeals declined to address the constitutionality of a Department of Correction program for sex offenders based on the deficient record before it and because the appellate court could decide the case without ruling on the constitutionality of the program.