Jails - The Indiana Lawyer

Courts as conveners: Task force led by Rush releases recommendations for judicial response to opioid crisis

December 11, 2019 | Olivia Covington

The National Judicial Opioid Task Force was created in 2017 to delve into ways the judiciary could get a handle on the opioid crisis. Co-chaired by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the task force’s work culminated late last month in the release of a report that includes four findings and six recommendations for how courts can respond to the current drug scourge and be better prepared for the next addiction crisis.

10 Clark Co. inmates charged in alleged jail drug-smuggling scheme

November 18, 2019 | Associated Press

Ten inmates at a southern Indiana jail are charged in an alleged scheme that authorities say used codes to help smuggle drugs into the jail. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office says the inmates worked with an outside contact who picked up drugs and hid them in the jail’s lobby, which inmates cleaned.

St. Joseph County settles mistreatment suit by ex-jail inmate

November 7, 2019 | Associated Press

A northern Indiana county has settled for $2,000 a lawsuit filed by former jail inmate who alleged he was improperly treated.

New law gives moms, dads behind bars hope in TPR cases

October 30, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

Christina Kovats and Kristina Byers previously served time at the Indiana Women’s Prison, and this year they became advocates who worked to draft Indiana legislation aimed at dismantling the black-and-white mentality regarding termination of parental rights for incarcerated mothers. A new law now gives judges discretion in TPR cases involving parents behind bars.

Disabled man’s unexplained injuries spark lawsuit against Marion County Jail

October 28, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

An intellectually disabled Indianapolis man who suffered unexplained injuries and allegedly was not given his medication while incarcerated in the Marion County Jail has filed a lawsuit against the Marion County Sheriff’s office, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and several individual officers and staff.

7th Circuit: Marion County sheriff not liable for overdetaining inmate

October 21, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Although the Marion County Sheriff’s remedy failed to fix a glitch between two different computer systems and caused an inmate to be detained longer than the court had ordered, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law enforcement agency and the city of Indianapolis were not deliberately indifferent.

Noblesville school bus aide pleads guilty to battery after slapping child in wheelchair

October 15, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A former Noblesville school bus aid has pleaded guilty to battery charges and will now serve 10 days in prison for slapping a non-verbal, wheelchair bound child in her care.

Hamilton County Jail program aims to connect inmates with jobs, mentors

October 15, 2019 | Samm Quinn and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

The Hamilton County Jail’s Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education & Reality — or TOWER — mentoring program, which was launched in January, provides inmates with a mentor who can help connect them to resources in the community. But perhaps most importantly, it also aims to help inmates find work.

Judge won’t dismiss case on wages of immigrant detainees

October 10, 2019

Washington state’s effort to force a privately run immigration jail to pay its detainees minimum wage for work they perform can continue after all, a federal judge in Tacoma ruled Wednesday.

Panelists urge counties to keep ‘open mind’ on pretrial release reform

October 8, 2019 | Olivia Covington

Stakeholders from around Indiana shared experiences and expectations regarding pretrial release reform as the entire state moves toward a system less reliant on cash bail beginning in January.

Counties prepare for pretrial release reform

October 2, 2019 | Olivia Covington

As 2019 draws to a close, judicial officials across Indiana are preparing for a change coming Jan. 1. On that day, Criminal Rule 26, which dictates new pretrial release protocols, will be effective statewide.

Summit to address pretrial release practices as bail reform looms

September 27, 2019 | IL Staff

Representatives from all 92 Indiana counties will gather in Indianapolis next week for a team-based training event on pretrial release practices in criminal cases.

Man’s family sues police over his suicide at Indiana jail

September 24, 2019 | Associated Press

The family of a man who took his own life in the Howard County Jail in Kokomo is suing local police, alleging his death was avoidable.

Ruling for Madison County upheld in inmate housing lease dispute

September 18, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling for Madison County in a lease dispute with a property manager that housed county inmates before the county backed out of the agreement years early.

Madison County halts regional jail consideration

September 16, 2019 | Associated Press

Talks have ended between two central Indiana counties about possibly building a regional jail that they would share. The Madison County Council voted to halt discussions with Henry County and recommend that Madison County commissioners start a feasibility study for a new jail in Anderson potentially costing $50 million.

Woman jailed over pursuit of debt wins partial judgment

August 13, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A woman arrested for failing to pay off a health club debt she thought had been discharged nearly 10 years earlier partially won a judgment against the law firm that pursued collection on the debt.

Inmate fatally stabbed by fellow inmate at Indiana jail

August 12, 2019 | Associated Press

Police say an inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility has been fatally stabbed by another inmate. Indiana State Police say a preliminary investigation shows 28-year-old Clifford S. Baggett of Florida was stabbed by 44-year-old Tommy P. Holland of Indianapolis.

7th Circuit affirms pro bono denial; judges may recruit to amend complaints

August 7, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the denial of a man’s request for pro bono representation, but not before correcting a district court’s reading of language about its discretion to recruit counsel until after the complaint was answered by the defendant.

New group antes up cash to help poor make bail

July 15, 2019

Devi Davis and April Angermeier are challenging the cash bail system that keeps poor people awaiting trial locked up in Marion County jails, often putting their jobs and homes at risk.

Bail increase for defendant not transported from jailed reversed

July 8, 2019

The Indiana Court of Appeals has determined a man is not at fault for failing to appear in court due to his incarceration for another crime. It also found the trial court abused its discretion by setting an additional bail for him without having been requested to do so.

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