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PA Corrections Sec’y Wetzel Inspired by Trip to German and Dutch Prisons
December, 2015
The transitional housing units created by Secretary John Wetzel in Pennsylvania were inspired by a Prison Law Office sponsored trip to German and Dutch prisons. Prisoners sleep in real beds, can dress as they like, cook their own meals, are never locked in solitary for more than eight hours, and get paid real wages for their work so they have some savings when they’re released. German recidivism rate after three years is still 35 percent. But the U.S. recidivism rate, despite our much harsher treatment – is almost twice that. Full Story.
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European Prison Project Trip to Norway
November, 2015
In October, 2015, PLO staff partnered with the UCSF Criminal Justice Health Project to lead a delegation of corrections officials and criminal justice policymakers from Hawaii and North Dakota to visit correctional facilities in Norway, and to meet with European criminal justice experts. photo gallery
Follow-up:North Dakota Judge Learns Valuable Lessons on Norway Trip
“The correctional system in Norway works. … As a Judge, I have the power to take away a person’s freedom. I have no right to take away their human dignity. For our benefit and security, we should remind those imprisoned of their potential and human dignity. We also need to remind ourselves that they are a part of the community.” Full article in “The Docket”.
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Santa Clara County Sued for Unconstitutional use of Solitary Confinement
November, 2015
Two people incarcerated in the Santa Clara county jail filed a federal class action lawsuit against Santa Clara County claiming that the use of solitary confinement and other conditions is inhumane and unconstitutional.
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Tentative settlement in Riverside jail case
October, 2015
Prison Law Office has reached a tentative settlement in our class action lawsuit over medical and mental health care and disability discrimination in the Riverside jails.
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Changes for Fresno County Jail Prisoners
October, 2015
Fresno County Jail prisoners should soon receive dramatically improved healthcare, disability accommodations, and protection from violence as a result of a settlement agreement filed in federal court. The Prison Law Office, Cooley LLP, and Disability Rights California filed a class action lawsuit about dangerous jail conditions in 2011, and after extensive litigation and settlement negotiations, agreed on a detailed 22-page Remedial Plan that will address all of the claims in the lawsuit. Plaintiffs’ Counsel and court experts will monitor the County’s compliance with the Plan for the next four years.