Justice

Justice Department Supports Alabama Prisoners’ Claims of Unconstitutional Violence in Ongoing Legal Battle

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Increased scrutiny surrounds Alabama’s correctional system as the U.S. Department of Justice opposed the state’s motion for summary judgment in an ongoing legal dispute over alleged unconstitutional violence in state prisons. Federal authorities argue there are substantial claims of systematic abuse that warrant a trial. Prisoners at the St. Clair Correctional Facility initiated a lawsuit in 2014, claiming they were victims of relentless violence and excessive force by guards. The facility, a maximum-security prison, currently confines about 1,000 male inmates. The allegations extend to cover not only staff misconduct but also rampant … Read more

Settlement Reached in Hurricane Sally Barge Damage Lawsuit Between U.S. Justice Department and Skanska Construction

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Pensacola, Fla. — Two barges which broke loose during the sonic assault of Hurricane Sally in 2020, causing extensive damages, became the subject of a federal lawsuit that concluded recently with a quiet settlement. The legal action, initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice against the Skanska construction company, was resolved following fruitful mediation last month, culminating in the dismissal of the case by U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon. The Department of Justice initially sought $1.43 million in damages from Skanska for the alleged negligence incurred during the hurricane’s onslaught. The barges, integral to … Read more

Marin County Grand Jury Calls for New Justice Center to Address Outdated Detention Conditions

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San Rafael, Calif. – The Marin County Civil Grand Jury has stated in a recent report that the county’s detention centers for adults and juveniles are outdated and insufficient for modern rehabilitation needs. The panel, after an extensive investigation, has proposed the construction of a new, advanced detention facility that could better serve the community and the needs of low-level felons and juvenile detainees. Titled “Marin County Justice Center: A Model for Change,” the report sharply criticizes the current conditions of the county’s jails, highlighting that they are worn and no longer meet contemporary standards … Read more

Atlanta Approves $2 Million Settlement for Tasered Protest Students, Declares It “Well-Deserved Justice”

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Atlanta, GA — The Atlanta City Council recently sanctioned a $2 million settlement for students who were shocked with a Taser by police during the protests in 2020. According to the students’ attorney, Chris Stewart, this compensation is justified and should not be seen as a gratuitous award. Stewart emphasized the gravity of the situation and the well-deserved nature of the settlement during a press conference held earlier this week. In another development focusing on conservation efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has adopted an unprecedented measure in the eastern United States to protect … Read more