Restoring humanity and dignity to those wrongly convicted
Legislation in the Indiana General Assembly Bill would compensate people who have been exonerated after a wrongful conviction, but only if they don’t sue the state.
Jails
Articles
Indiana parolees find success, employment after prison
Most people in Indiana’s parole program are finding jobs after their release from prison despite having felony convictions, the program’s director says.
Inmate falls through ceiling trying to escape from Indiana jail
An inmate fell through the ceiling while trying to escape from a jail in Indiana. Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer posted on Facebook that 28-year-old Blaze Ayers bolted from officers and locked himself in a medical room on Monday before making his way into the ceiling.
State police ID woman who died in Sullivan County Jail
State police have identified a woman in custody at a western Indiana jail who died after a medical emergency.
Woman settles lawsuit over jailing due to mistaken identity
A northwest Indiana woman who alleged she was wrongfully held in the Valparaiso jail for nearly two months in a case of mistaken identity has reached a $6,000 settlement in the case.
Coroner: Toxicology needed for 2 dead at Lafayette jail
A coroner says toxicology reports are needed on two inmates who died after falling ill in their cells at the Tippecanoe County Jail in Lafayette.
Gary woman settles lawsuit over jailing due to mistaken identity
A northwest Indiana woman who alleged she was wrongfully jailed for nearly two months in a case of mistaken identity has reached a $6,000 settlement in the case. Court records show Gloria J. Blue of Gary also will get attorneys’ fees as part of this month’s settlement.
Lawsuit filed over gay inmate’s suicide at Noble Co. jail
A northeastern Indiana county faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging a gay inmate killed himself in its jail after being denied mental health treatment and enduring harassment over his sexuality. Markus Middleton’s partner is suing Noble County’s sheriff, jail commander and jail staff.
Freedom of religion remains free at Monroe County Jail
Be it rosary beads for a Catholic, a meeting with a rabbi, a prayer mat for Ramadan or a Bible for someone who’s never held one, whatever the religious need, it’s met by the chaplain and staff at the Monroe County Jail.
DOC deliberate indifference claim remanded to district court
Finding it is reasonable to infer that a former unit manager at the Putnamville Correctional Facility knew an inmate was in danger from gang violence but did nothing, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a grant of summary judgment and remanded the case to the Southern Indiana District Court.
Indianapolis police testing mental illness screening tool
Indianapolis police are testing a new screening tool that’s intended to divert people suffering from mental illness to treatment and care, rather than sending them to jail.
Judge: Indy deputy used excessive force ‘sadistically and maliciously’
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force against a former jail inmate “sadistically and maliciously,” a federal judge determined, ruling in favor of the inmate and ordering a determination of damages he is owed.
Reversal: Officers entitled to qualified immunity after inmate death
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a grant of judgment in favor of a deceased inmate’s estate, finding two officers who placed the inmate in a cell while he was intoxicated were entitled to qualified immunity.
Judge details actions needed to improve Vigo jail
A federal judge says officials in Vigo County must take specific steps to improve conditions at the jail in Terre Haute or the court will step in to force changes.
Authorities investigating Marion County Jail inmate’s death
Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate who was found unresponsive in his Marion County Jail cell. A 33-year-old man was found unresponsive by jail staff Saturday.
Many Indiana counties face jail crowding with inmate shift
Taxpayers in dozens of Indiana counties will be paying for new jail beds years after sweeping state criminal code changes began sending more low-level offenders into local jails instead of state prisons. At least 40 jails in Indiana are over capacity, and a recent state survey found that almost half of all jail inmates are Level 6 felons, the lowest-level felons.
Judge finds Vigo County Jail conditions unconstitutional
A federal judge has ruled conditions are unconstitutional at the overcrowded Vigo County Jail in Terre Haute.
Jury finds for Marion County sheriff at ex-deputy’s ADA trial
A former Marion County sheriff’s deputy who was permanently injured while on duty has lost her lawsuit against the sheriff’s department and the city of Indianapolis after a federal jury found the defendants did not fail to accommodate her and did not harass her because of her disability.
Sheriffs, public defense task force shine spotlight on jail overcrowding
The work of law enforcement has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. But in Indiana, one aspect of local law enforcement has not: the per diem local jails receive to house, feed and transport inmates. Currently the state allocates a $35 per day, but the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association has announced plans to advocate for raising that amount to $55.
Sheriff wants to use trailers to solve jail overcrowding
A central Indiana sheriff has a novel solution for jail overcrowding: lock inmates up in semi-trailers next to the jail in Greenfield.