HARRISBURG (October 4)- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed legislation to add new reforms to the commonwealth’s systems of criminal sentencing and parole. The intent of the bill, Senate Bill 1161, is to provide much-needed relief to the state’s bursting prison system, said the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, a supporter of the bill.

“Our prison system is at its breaking point,” said Andy Hoover , legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “The passage of this bill, while not perfect, is another sign that the legislature is getting sm art on crime.” (more…)

[Posted by The Associated Press July 20, 2009, 21:12PM]

A sex offender’s bid to overturn the state prison system’s pornography ban was ended Monday by the state Supreme Court, which sided unanimously with the Department of Corrections.

The justices said inmate Shannon R. Brittain, 34, failed to refute the department’s arguments in a meaningful way. They reversed a lower court ruling that had allowed Brittain’s case to continue.

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Inmate’s wife claims authorities failed to follow procedure
and monitor husband
By Phil Ray
JOHNSTOWN — The wife of a man who committed suicide while incarcerated at Blair County Prison has filed a federal lawsuit contending that jail authorities violated procedures by not placing him on suicide watch. Jeremy Shane Corbin, 32, of Bellwood used a bedsheet to hang himself in his cell in October.

At the time, the jail contained 313 inmates, and some were housed in the gymnasium.  Corbin was in jail on an allegation that he violated a protection-fromabuse order issued Oct. 9.  County officials said Corbin was upset because he couldn’t see his children because of the PFA order.  According to the lawsuit, Corbin told sheriff’s deputies transporting him to a hearing that he was suicidal, the lawsuit stated.

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Jun. 29, 2006 –The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Pennsylvania prison policy yesterday, saying that officials have the legal authority to keep mainstream newspapers and magazines from the most incorrigible inmates. (more…)

State College man to argue case involving inmate rights

State College lawyer Andrew Shubin has an opportunity to do what most lawyers can only dream about: argue a case before the United States Supreme Court. (more…)