Lawsuit: St. Joseph County sheriff’s office negligent in inmate death
A federal lawsuit accuses a northern Indiana sheriff’s department of negligence after an inmate who allegedly was suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms killed himself.
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Senate panel OKs compensation for the wrongfully convicted
A measure advancing in the Indiana Senate would compensate residents found to have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.
Credit time revocation bill moves to Holcomb’s desk
Community correction program directors caught between a rock and a hard place may get some breathing room if a bill that would allow the revocation of inmates’ credit time gets the governor’s signature.
Allen County Jail offering video instead of in-person visits
The Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne no longer will have face-to-face visits with inmates and instead is offering video chats.
Bill allowing community corrections to revoke credit time advances
An Indiana Supreme Court ruling that directors of community corrections programs are unauthorized to revoke good time credit would be sidestepped under a bill advancing in the Statehouse that would enable directors to make such revocations.
Jennings County escape suspect gets away at courthouse
Authorities are searching for a southern Indiana jail inmate who has escaped from custody. Law enforcement officials say Jennings County Jail inmate Kimlynn Patton escaped Friday in the area of the Jennings County Courthouse in Vernon.
Howard County sending texts to defendants about hearings
A central Indiana county has started sending text messages to criminal defendants to remind them about their upcoming court hearings. Howard County authorities hope the texting service that began in February can hold down the county jail’s population and reduce the resources law enforcement must devote to tracking down people who miss court appearances.
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.
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.