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October 30, 2009 - Con man in jail deal says he's broke Montana Standard The California con man who failed in his bid to take over an empty Montana jail testified Friday that he is out of money, does not have the corporate backing he once claimed and even struggles to pay rent on his apartment. (Click here for more) October 30, 2009 - Police: Jail worker tried to smuggle in pot Daily Herald A Cook County Jail cook has been charged with smuggling marijuana into the jail for an inmate. (Click here for more) October 30, 2009 - Mark Chesnut, officer shot on interstate, sues CCA for more than $14 million Tennessean Sgt. Mark Chesnut, the Metro police officer shot by an escaped prisoner in June has filed suit against the Corrections Corporation of America, alleging the company is responsible for the failures that led to the escape and subsequent shooting. (Click here for more) October 30, 2009 - No charges in female inmate's death Rutland Herald Franklin County State's Attorney Jim Hughes said his office won't seek criminal charges in the death of 23-year-old Ashley Ellis, who died after she was denied medication in the Swanton jail. (Click here for more) October 29, 2009 - Warrant out for jail con artist Montana Standard An arrest warrant was issued Thursday in California for a convicted felon who recently tried to take over a Montana jail, as jilted investors and a former employee scramble for money they've lost to the long time con artist. (Click here for more) October 29, 2009 - Pa. high court dismisses juvenile convictions AP The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed thousands of juvenile convictions issued by a judge charged in a corruption scandal, saying that none of the young offenders got a fair hearing. (Click here for more) October 29, 2009 - Psychiatric Solutions stock falls on forecast AP Shares of Psychiatric Solutions Inc. plunged nearly 23 percent on Wednesday, a day after the behavioral hospital operator reported disappointing results for the third quarter and cut its expectations for the rest of 2009. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Gov.'s office: Cuts could deal blow to prisons The New Mexican The state of New Mexico would have to shutter two prisons, give early releases to up to 660 prisoners and lay off and furlough Corrections Department employees if Gov. Bill Richardson signs budget cuts approved by the Legislature, his office said Wednesday. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Tri-Rail security officer charged with attempted sexual battery on passenger Palm Beach Post When a Tri-Rail passenger missed the last train at the Lake Worth station, a security guard offered to give her a ride to a station in Fort Lauderdale. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Ciavarella in court today for hearing The Citizens Voice Former Judge Mark A. Ciavarella said little during a hearing today on his request to be dismissed from a series of civil lawsuits filed in the aftermath of the Luzerne County kids-for-cash scandal. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Silverdale employee fired over sex charge Times Free Press A Silverdale Detention Center employee accused of having sexual contact with inmates has been fired and faces felony charges, records show. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Former Friars Point Alderman severely injury in prison attack Clarksdale Press Register The state of California have sent corrections investigators to Tutwiler Prison following an inmate attack that injured two guards. (Click here for more) October 28, 2009 - Oklahoma's private detention contracts to be cut Oklahoman With the state Corrections Department’s funding cut 5 percent for the remainder of this fiscal year, contracts with private prisons will be cut by the same rate, a legislative leader said Tuesday. (Click here for more) October 27, 2009 - Prison on lockdown after ‘commotion’ over new menu The News-Dispatch An Indiana State Prison offender reportedly didn't like the new heart-healthy menu recently implemented by the Indiana Department of Correction. (Click here for more) October 27, 2009 - Judge orders inmate moved over poor quality food WSMV A federal judge has ordered a Robertson County Jail inmate moved to another detention facility after the man and other inmates complained about inadequate food at the jail. (Click here for more) October 26, 2009 - Mexican Mafia soldier escapes from Texas jail Norfolk Crime Examiner On Friday, a member of the notoriously violent Mexican Mafia escaped from the Kinney County Detention Center in Brackettville, TX. (Click here for more) October 26, 2009 - State says 3 low-level prisons no longer needed AP California officials say a drop in the number of minimum-security inmates is allowing them to end contracts with the companies that operate three private prisons. (Click here for more) October 25, 2009 - Legislators disagree about prison sale of prison of prison Pueblo Chieftain A proposed bill that will suggest the state sell Colorado State Penitentiary II because it cannot afford to staff it is getting reaction for local lawmakers. (Click here for more) October 25, 2009 - Luzerne's youth-court scandal: How? Why? Philadelphia Enquirer In October 2005, a 16-year-old boy appeared in Luzerne County Court to answer charges that he had shot out several windows in a city home with a BB gun. (Click here for more) October 24, 2009 - Border worker sentenced to 18 months in prison San Diego Union-Tribune A contract worker for U.S. Customs and Border Protection was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday for trying to release an illegal immigrant from custody in exchange for money. (Click here for more) October 24, 2009 - CCA inmate is sentenced for assaulting corrections officer Casa Grande Dispatch An inmate at a Corrections Corporation of America prison has been sentenced to a long prison term for aggravated assault on a corrections officer with two prior felony convictions. (Click here for more) October 23, 2009 - Police to be sued for riot damage BBC Police can be sued for the estimated £42m damage caused during a riot at a Bedfordshire immigration detention centre, the Court of Appeal has ruled. (Click here for more) October 22, 2009 - Calif. sends officers to Delta prison AP The state of California is sending corrections investigators to a private prison in the Mississippi Delta where inmates attacked and injured two guards. (Click here for more) October 22, 2009 - Ky. inmate survey shows decline in food marks AP Surveys of Kentucky's prison inmates indicate they are less pleased with the food they're served than they were a few years ago. (Click here for more) October 21, 2009 - Union protests DCK's hiring Pahrump Valley Times A handful of union protesters picketed at each entrance to the federal detention center job site this week, focusing on prevailing wage disputes and the hiring of non-union labor. (Click here for more) October 21, 2009 - Former Willacy DA Guerra files lawsuit Valley Central Former Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. and 28 others. (Click here for more) October 21, 2009 - 7 Leake Co. inmates still at large after Sun. escape Clarion Ledger Seven probationers who absconded from an inmate re-entry facility in Walnut Grove Sunday night remain at large. (Click here for more) October 21, 2009 - Study: Public prison costs may be less Tulsa World A recent prison study found that the cost of public beds is competitive with space in private prisons and may be cheaper, Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones said. (Click here for more) October 20, 2009 - Surprise jail visit uncovers new issues KXAN New razor wire that measures more than 4 feet tall and nearly 3 feet wide is coiled around the metal roof and down the sides of the new Burnet County Jail. (Click here for more) October 20, 2009 - Mont city moves to mothball empty, 464-bed jail AP Running out of money and with bills stacking up, officials in Hardin are moving to mothball their empty 464-bed jail after a proposed take over of the facility fizzled. (Click here for more) October 20, 2009 - Hilton scam victim speaks KULR 8 American Police Force's bid to run the Hardin Jail is over, but APF leader Michael Hilton recently told a reporter he still plans to open a police training center in Big Horn County, but an investor in a former alleged scam by Hilton says anyone looking to do business with the self-proclaimed captain to beware. (Click here for more) October 19, 2009 - Northpoint prison to open makeshift kitchen Courier-Journal Workers at the Northpoint Training Center will begin serving food out of a makeshift kitchen Monday, nearly two months after the worst inmate riot in modern Kentucky history. (Click here for more) October 18, 2009 - Youth detention center in 'chaos' Topeka Capital-Journal Insufficient staff numbers and inadequate room checks by a Topeka juvenile residential center opened the door for a 12-year-old boy to be repeatedly raped by his roommate over three days in January 2008, a civil lawsuit claims. (Click here for more) October 18, 2009 - Inmate claiming assault sues state Honolulu Advertiser A female inmate who was housed at the Otter Creek Women's Prison in Kentucky has filed a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii and the company that operates the prison, alleging she was sexually assaulted by a guard while incarcerated. (Click here for more) October 18, 2009 - Was Hilton just the latest to seek gains from Hardin? Billings Gazette When American Police Force pulled the plug on a deal that could have given it control over Hardin's empty jail, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Hardin city officials "have been duped by con artists over and over and over and over again." (Click here for more) October 18, 2009 - Bond default could hinder future projects Billings Gazette In the aftermath of what some saw as the last, best hope to fill Hardin's vacant jail, the immediate fate of the project remains uncertain, with few good options for a swift resolution. (Click here for more) October 16, 2009 - Fired Clark County commander detailed jailhouse medical failures The Skanner News Former Clark County Sheriff's Department Commander Clifford B. Evelyn, fired from his job in June of this year, had repeatedly detailed shortcomings by Wexford Health Sources in fulfilling the terms of their contract to provide health care to county inmates more than a year before the county’s own performance audit did, records obtained by The Skanner News show. (Click here for more) October 15, 2009 - Billings declined private jail KULR 8 Billings could have been the site of a private detention facility just like the one in Hardin. (Click here for more) October 15, 2009 - Judges' acts at heart of hearing Philadelphia Inquirer The question hung over the hearing like a toxic cloud all day long: How could two judges in Wilkes-Barre conspire over several years to deprive hundreds of children of their most basic constitutional rights and send them off in shackles to detention centers in which they had personal financial interests? (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - 30 percent local labor sought for CCA endeavor Pahrump Valley Times The construction trailer sits near the entrance to the job site at the federal detention center on East Mesquite Avenue, along with a water tank advertising a local subcontractor, Wulfenstein Construction. (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - Oklahoma DOC to cut some private prison contracts Tulsa World The Department of Corrections next month will cut its contracts with private prisons by 5 percent, the Board of Corrections was told Wednesday. (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - APF figure's check to Hardin B&B bounces, but owner 'not holding any ill will' Billings Gazette In announcing the suspension of a state investigation into American Police Force on Tuesday, state Attorney General Steve Bullock said he was "unaware of any Montanans who have been harmed financially by this company." (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - Corrections agency to seek new medical provider The News Journal After years of criticism and a federal investigation, state officials announced today they will let their contract with Correctional Medical Services expire and try to find a new provider. (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - Private jail operator upset The Whig Standard A spokesman for the private company that operated the York Detention Centre for youth says it's being shut down by the Ontario government, even though it's daily rates are almost half that of larger provincially-run facilities. (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - Crowley County prison operator to pay $1.3 million in settling sex-harassment lawsuit The Denver Post A private prison operator will pay $1.3 million to settle complaints from 21 female employees who claimed they suffered harassment from male supervisors and colleagues ranging from sexually explicit comments to rape. (Click here for more) October 14, 2009 - Attorney general drops inquest into California company AP Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock dropped his investigation into a California company following its attempted takeover of an empty Montana jail. (Click here for more) October 13, 2009 - Controversy Over Hawaii Inmate's Transfer KGMB 9 All of the Hawaii inmates in a troubled Kentucky women's prison have been brought home, except for one. (Click here for more) October 13, 2009 - Children made 'sick with fear' in UK immigration detention centres The Guardian Medical experts have found clear evidence that children held in UK immigration centres develop mental and physical health difficulties, according to a report published today. (Click here for more) October 12, 2009 - Prison faces double probe after riot Deadline Press & Picture Agency PRISON bosses are facing a double probe into a riot that left a jail guard in hospital. (Click here for more) October 12, 2009 - The Pecos insurrection Texas Observer Last Dec. 12, on the outskirts of Pecos, Texas, the immigrants doing time in the world’s largest privately run prison decided to turn the tables on their captors. (Click here for more) October 12, 2009 - Behind Montana jail fiasco: How private prison developers prey on desperate towns TPM Muckraker With the unraveling of the deal for the shadowy American Private Police Force to take over and populate an empty jail in Hardin, Montana, it's pretty clear that the small city got played by an ex-con and his (supposed) private security firm. (Click here for more) October 12, 2009 - Woman prison guard rushed to hospital after rioting breaks out Edinburgh Evening News FOUR staff were injured and a woman guard rushed to hospital when rioting broke out at West Lothian's Addiewell prison. (Click here for more) October 12, 2009 - Six hour riot at Scots private prison STV At least 20 inmates went on a rampage at HMP Addiewell on Sunday. (Click here for more) October 11, 2009 - Contractors gone wild Weekly Standard There seems no end to contractor abuse scandals in countries fighting terrorism or undergoing "nation-building." (Click here for more) October 10, 2009 - Inmate charged with marijuana possession KUSH An inmate in Cushing's private prison -- who was sent to the lockup in Payne County after being convicted of escaping from another prison -- was charged Wednesday with possessing marijuana while incarcerated in the Cimarron Correctional Facility on Sept. 26. (Click here for more) October 9, 2009 - Corplan Corrections KULR In June of 2006 Two Rivers Authority began constructing the 464-bed detention facility in Hardin. (Click here for more) October 9, 2009 - APPF backs out of Hardin jail deal TMP Muckraker The end has come... Controversial private security contractor American Private Police Fore has officially backed out of a deal with Hardin, Montana, to run a local prison, APPF spokeswoman Beck Shay announced this afternoon. (Click here for more) October 9, 2009 - Deal called for APF to provide police force Billings Gazette A memorandum of understanding between Hardin's economic development agency and American Police Force, released by the agency on Thursday, laid out a proposal under which APF would provide a police force for the city of Hardin. (Click here for more) October 8, 2009 - Anonymous APPF 'investor' comes forward, claims jail project still alive TMP Muckraker Just when we thought the American Private Police Force saga might be over, a putative APPF "investor" has come forward -- anonymously. (Click here for more) October 8, 2009 - ICE project deal dead Mineral Wells Index A two and-a-half year effort to bring an illegal immigrant detention center to Mineral Wells ended Tuesday night with several long seconds of silence from city council members. (Click here for more) October 7, 2009 - Would-be MT jail operator has theft conviction AP A former Secret Service agent named as the would-be operator of a Montana jail and law enforcement training center served 14 months in prison for stealing money from the government. (Click here for more) October 7, 2009 - Inmate sentenced to 3 years for attempted battery Leavenworth Times An inmate at a Leavenworth detention facility has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for the attempted battery of a correctional officer. (Click here for more) October 7, 2009 - Jailing noncriminal detainees could end San Antonio Express-News In a move that could affect the revenues of private prison firms and county jails, the Obama administration said Tuesday it will review, renegotiate and possibly terminate some of its more than 300 contracts for detaining unauthorized immigrants. (Click here for more) October 6, 2009 - Inmate ordered to trial in attack on guard KUSH An inmate in Cushing's private prison has been ordered to stand trial on a charge of assault and battery on a guard at the Cimarron Correctional Facility. (Click here for more) October 6, 2009 - APF frontman loses credibility in Hardin Billings Gazette Michael Hilton, seen as the potential savior of Hardin just two weeks ago, is quickly running out of supporters in the struggling town of 3,500. Hilton is the Serbian-born Californian who has been representing American Police Force as a company interested in leasing Hardin's empty jail and investing millions in a prison and military training operation. (Click here for more) October 6, 2009 - Citing assault, inmate sues state, jail operator Star-Bulletin A female inmate from Hawaii who says she was sexually assaulted by a male guard while incarcerated in a privately run prison in Kentucky is suing the state and the prison operator, Corrections Corp. of America. (Click here for more) October 6, 2009 - Ideas for immigrant detention include converting hotels and building models New York Times The Obama administration is looking to convert hotels and nursing homes into immigration detention centers and to build two model detention centers from scratch as it tries to transform the way the government holds people it is seeking to deport. (Click here for more) October 5, 2009 - Smith formally quits as director of TRA Billings Gazette The director of Two Rivers Authority, who was placed on paid leave last month two days after announcing that the agency had signed a contract to fill the empty Hardin jail, formally resigned Monday. (Click here for more) October 5, 2009 - Montana city's jail deal delayed amid controversy AP Plans for a California company to take over the city's empty jail were put on hold Monday, following last week's revelations that the company's lead figure has a criminal history. (Click here for more) October 5, 2009 - MT jail entrepreneur ordered to appear in CA court AP A California judge has ordered American Police Force figure Michael Hilton — a felon with a history of fraud seeking to operate an empty Montana jail — to appear in court on Oct. 27 over an outstanding judgment in a fraud lawsuit. (Click here for more) October 5, 2009 - Prisoner on run 'escaped before' BBC A "dangerous" prisoner who escaped from a Swansea court just after being sentenced had previously broken out of prison, it has been reported. (Click here for more) October 5, 2009 - Changes to APF website, contract KULR 8 On Sunday morning, there were some visible changes to California-based security company American Police Force's website. (Click here for more) October 3, 2009 - Lawyers hired in jail death case Rutland Herald The family of Ashley L. Ellis, who died in jail while in state custody, has retained a legal team to review the 23-year-old's death. (Click here for more) October 3, 2009 - Parties settle suit over jail hanging Texarkana Gazette A federal lawsuit filed by the family of a one-armed, toothless man who managed to hang himself with a suicide suit while an inmate in the Bowie County jail annex, has been settled. (Click here for more) October 3, 2009 - Prairie Correctional plans to lay off 120 West Central Tribune Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton is cutting its workforce by more than half in response to declining inmate numbers. (Click here for more) October 2, 2009 - California attorney cuts ties to Hardin jail contractor AP A California company’s bid to take over an empty jail in rural Montana appears to be unraveling, with an attorney involved in the project cutting ties Friday and a second company, once named as a subcontractor, denying any involvement. (Click here for more) October 2, 2009 - CA attorney cuts ties to Mont. jail project AP A California attorney who worked with a fledgeling security company to take over an empty jail in rural Montana has cut his ties to the project. Santa Ana attorney Maziar Mafi had served as the legal affairs director for American Police Force. (Click here for more) October 2, 2009 - APF Reaction to Leaders Criminal Past KULR 8 Now that Hilton's criminal past is revealed, concerned Montana citizens show up at the Hardin jail demanding answers. (Click here for more) October 2, 2009 - Prison firms to pay $1.3 million in lawsuit Pueblo Chieftain Two companies that operated the prison at Olney Springs have agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged sexual harassment of women employees and retaliation against them. (Click here for more) October 1, 2009 - State AG launches probe of jail deal Montana Standard Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock launched an investigation Thursday into American Police Force, the California company founded by a Serbian immigrant with a lengthy criminal history that is seeking to run an empty, 464-bed jail in Hardin. Bullock sent a nine-page demand letter late Thursday afternoon to Becky Shay, the spokeswoman for APF and the company's only Montana employee. (Click here for more) October 1, 2009 - Former city attorney fears jail deal will derail law enforcement deconsolidation Billings Gazette Plans to deconsolidate law enforcement in Hardin and Big Horn County have been seriously jeopardized by the uproar over the company hoping to lease Hardin's vacant jail, the former city attorney said Thursday. (Click here for more) October 1, 2009 - Montana AG launches probe of town's jail deal AP Montana's attorney general has launched an investigation into a California company's plan to take over the city of Hardin's $27 million jail, following revelations that the company's lead figure is a convicted felon with a history of fraud. (Click here for more) October 1, 2009 - Prison health provider to leave Vermont Rutland Herald The private contractor that provides medical services to Vermont's prisons is pulling out of the state and the Vermont Department of Corrections commissioner said he's looking forward to their departure. (Click here for more) October 1, 2009 - Detainee care
case headed to high court Union-Tribune A lawsuit filed by a
now-deceased man over inappropriate medical care while he was in the
custody of U.S. immigration officials in San Diego is set to go before
the U.S. Supreme Court.
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