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Adnan Syed, whose murder conviction was tossed in September after he served 23 years behind bars, has been hired by Georgetown University to work on prison reform. Syed's job as a program associate for Georgetown's Prisons and Justice Initiative is his first 9-to-5 office job, according to the university. Part of Syed’s job will include supporting Georgetown’s "Making an Exoneree" class, in which students re-investigate wrongful convictions, make documentaries about the cases and help free innocent people. In the year leading up to his release, Syed had taken part in Georgetown’s Bachelor of Liberal Arts program in prison. An attorney for Lee's family did not immediately respond to an inquiry Friday seeking comment about Syed's job with Georgetown.

☆ Former mob boss Francis 'Cadillac Frank' Salemme dies at 89 while serving life sentence for murder
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

BOSTON — Francis “Cadillac Frank” Salemme, the once powerful New England Mafia boss who was serving a life sentence behind bars for the 1993 killing of a Boston nightclub owner, has died at the age of 89, according to the Bureau of Prisons. After being released from prison, Salemme was seriously wounded in a shooting outside a suburban Boston pancake house. The racketeering case revealed that Bulger and Salemme’s best friend, Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, had secretly worked as FBI informants. Just before DiSarro’s death, the FBI told him he was about to be indicted and should cooperate with the government against the Salemmes. “You’re not going to beat the government,” Salemme told a reporter in 2004.

Timothy York knows what works to treat his decadeslong opioid addiction: Suboxone, a medication that effectively quiets cravings. Since York arrived in federal prison in 2008, he has been held in a series of facilities awash with contraband drugs and violence. Yet the federal prisons are treating only a fraction — less than 10% — of the roughly 15,000 prisoners who need it, according to the bureau’s estimates. Some say the issues stem from a culture at the bureau that is skeptical of addiction medication and pits staff against prisoners. He was using an underground supply of Suboxone at USP-Coleman, the federal prison in Florida where he was incarcerated, but it was erratic.

The sky was darkening above Hazelton federal penitentiary in West Virginia when a prison van rolled up carrying an elderly gangster. ‘I’m deteriorating’His final hours were described in detail for the first time in a Justice Department Inspector General report released Wednesday. The news somehow got out among the Hazelton inmates, the report says, a detail that had been previously disclosed by federal prosecutors. The facility, known as Misery Mountain, was among the most violent in the federal prison system. Two hours passed before a prison staffer went into the cell and found Bulger’s lifeless body.

☆ Former federal prison warden convicted of sexually abusing inmates
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The former warden of a federal women’s prison in California where inmates said they were subjected to rampant sexual abuse was convicted on Thursday of molesting inmates and forcing them to pose naked in their cells. Ray Garcia was found guilty of all eight charges and faces up to 15 years in prison. He was among five workers charged with abusing inmates at the federal correctional institution in Dublin, California, and the first to go to trial. Garcia, 55, retired from his post last year after the FBI found nude photos of inmates on his government-issued phone. Garcia was charged with abusing three inmates between December 2019 and July 2021.

The inspector general found that prison officers spoke openly about Bulger’s anticipated arrival around inmates, in violation of policy. Elderly, ailing inmates are often transferred to a prison medical center. Bulger had a heart condition and should have been sent to a prison with special medical facilities, the inspector general found. The FBI is conducting a separate criminal probe into the murder, but it’s not clear whether the bureau is investigating any prison employees. The inspector general's report cites six prison employees as having committed potential misconduct.

☆ Google has a secretive project that could reduce the need for human engineers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Today, we've got the details on Elon Musk walking back perks at Twitter, and news on a secretive project at Google. Google has a secretive new project that teaches code to write itself. In this case, the goal is to reduce the need for humans to write and update code, while maintaining code quality. It later moved into Google Labs — a transition that signaled its increased importance to leaders, with Google Labs pursuing long-term bets. Elon Musk put an end to some Twitter perks.

☆ Judge proposes Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes serve her 11-year sentence in a 'minimum-security' Texas prison camp
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A district judge proposed for Holmes to be sent to a prison camp at Bryan, Texas, court records show. Holmes was sentenced to 135 months in prison on November 18. District Judge Edward Davila recommended for Holmes to be designated to the Federal Prison Camp at Bryan, Texas, according to a November 21 filing. The Federal Prison Camp in Bryan is a minimum-security prison that houses female inmates. Holmes was sentenced to 135 months, or 11 years and 3 months, in prison on November 18.

☆ Man who threatened to crash plane into Walmart dies in prison while awaiting trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

— An airport worker who flew a stolen twin-engine plane erratically over north Mississippi for hours and threatened to crash into a Walmart store has died in federal prison while awaiting trial, federal authorities said Wednesday. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that Cory Wayne Patterson, 29, was found unresponsive Monday at a federal prison in Miami. Federal court records include a handwritten note from Patterson that an FBI agent testified he had found in the plane. During Patterson’s flight, he called 911 and said he intended to crash the plane into a Walmart in Tupelo. He urged the emergency operator to get the store evacuated, according to court records.

☆ US Secret Service protection would follow Donald Trump to the slammer if he ever ended up there, former agents say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Robin Bravender | Dave Levinthal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"If Donald Trump gets sent to prison, what's the role of the Secret Service in that case?" Federal law entitles Trump and all other ex-presidents to Secret Service protections for life — although it didn't always. "Geez, the fact that we're thinking about him going to jail kind of scares me," said the former Secret Service official. While former presidents are entitled to Secret Service protection, they can opt to decline it — just as Nixon did after leaving office. They did so under the Clinton administration, when a law was passed that would afford ex-presidents 10 years of Secret Service security, rather than lifetime protections.

☆ Michael Cohen blasts ruling tossing his lawsuit alleging Trump weaponized the Justice Department to lock him up as he weighs appeal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A judge dismissed Michael Cohen's lawsuit against Donald Trump and the DOJ for locking him up. Cohen, once a fixer and personal lawyer for Trump, as well as an executive at the Trump Organization, has turned into a fiery Trump critic. "President Donald J. Trump will continue to fight for the truth and against innumerable falsehoods being perpetrated by his enemies." Cohen followed up the book in question, "Disloyal," in October with the book "Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the US Department of Justice Against His Critics." Michael Cohen, former personal attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, exits the Loews Regency hotel and walks toward a taxi cab, July 27, 2018 in New York City.

☆ Here's how Donald Trump could theoretically run for president in 2024 and govern the US from prison, according to 9 legal scholars
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Robin Bravender | Tina Sfondeles | Dave Levinthal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

If Trump landed in prison, nothing in the Constitution would block him from another White House run, according to nine legal experts interviewed by Insider. He served eight years in federal prison after being convicted on public-corruption charges. In the Oval Office, Trump conducted business at the ornate Resolute Desk. If he wound up in federal prison, he'd likely have more sway over his fate. Hochul would all but certainly reject calls to cut Trump legal slack in any fashion, pardons included.

After more than 35 years in prison, Mutulu Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, will be released on parole on Dec. 16, when he'll spend what are expected to be his final days among family and friends. U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier in October approved a motion to release Shakur, an activist and holistic health care advocate, now 72, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. After being released on parole, Shakur will be monitored for up to four months. He was given medical parole, which means he could still be snatched back from us," Muhammad said. Now, Shakur's supporters and family feel the decision to release him represents a bittersweet victory.

☆ Americans convicted in Japan on Carlos Ghosn’s escape return home
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO — An American father and son convicted in Japan on charges of helping former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn escape to Lebanon by hiding in a box have been returned to the U.S., their lawyer said Tuesday. The U.S. and Japan have an extradition treaty, while Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Japan. Peter Taylor has already been released, and is back with his family in Massachusetts, said Kelly, whose office is based in Boston. During their trial in Tokyo, Michael and Peter Taylor apologized and acknowledged guilt, saying they had been misled by Ghosn. He says he fled because he could not expect a fair trial in Japan.

☆ Ex-Green Beret, Son Return to U.S. After Prison Sentence Over Carlos Ghosn Escape
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Nick Kostov | Mark Maremont | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The American father and son who helped former Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Chairman Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan have returned to the U.S. after spending 20 months in Japanese jails. Michael Taylor , a 62-year-old former Green Beret, is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles with a release date set for Jan. 1, 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. His son Peter Taylor is back home in Massachusetts with his family, according to their lawyer, Paul V. Kelly . Mr. Kelly said he was in discussions with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and parole officials about releasing his client sooner. Bloomberg News reported earlier that the Taylors were back in the U.S.

☆ Tennessee Amendment 3: Voters will decide on expressly banning slavery, including inside of prisons
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tennessee Amendment 3 would change language in the state constitution to expressly ban slavery. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyA "yes" on Tennessee Amendment 3 would expressly ban slavery in Tennessee — including in prisons. The amendment would replace the previous language with: "Slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited. "Our constitution should reflect our values, and it's important that we not have any loopholes that will say in any circumstance slavery is permissible. "Tennessee's Constitution has expressly prohibited slavery since it was first adopted in 1870, so it's unnecessary to add this amendment to the state constitution.

But prisoner advocates say this misstep is indicative of the larger failures of a law that has given federal inmates hope they could qualify for early release. But the new computer app was viewed as a positive development in ensuring inmates' credits don't fall through the cracks. "I hope that what happened with the rollout was a 'glitch,' not a feature of the new autocalculate app. "Nearly four years after the FSA was signed into law, BOP still lacks a formal program statement" on time credits. "There's a lot of tensions inside of prisons because they're wanting to go home and they don't know what's happening."

The surge in restrictive housing — informally known as solitary confinement — has perplexed BOP Director Colette Peters, who told NBC News that she "asked the same question when we saw the numbers come forward, so I'm curious as well." Colette Peters, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 29. The federal government houses more than 142,000 inmates in its custody across the United States. It really is limiting the use of restrictive housing when absolutely necessary," Peters said. "We know so much more now from research around what solitary confinement can do to the hearts and minds of those there, and so this is something we need to take very seriously."

☆ U.S. issues fresh sanctions against Iranian officials for 'brutal' crackdown on peaceful protestors following Mahsa Amini's death continue
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. Treasury announced a fresh round of sanctions Wednesday against Iranian officials for brutal violence against peaceful demonstrators as protests following the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini continue. The new sanctions come 40 days after the 22-year-old Amini's death in the custody of Iran's morality police. Iranian officials have continued their crackdown on protesters while limiting access to internet services. "The United States is imposing new sanctions on Iranian officials overseeing organizations involved in violent crackdowns and killings, including of children, as part of our commitment to hold all levels of the Iranian government accountable for its repression." Treasury designated 10 Iranian officials, two Iranian intelligence actors and two Iranian entities involved in the Iranian government's efforts to interfere with internet access:Mohammad Kazemi: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Intelligence Organization.

☆ Ex-Barbados Official Loses Appeal of Bribe Laundering Conviction
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Richard Vanderford | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

A former Barbados government official has lost an appeal to overturn a U.S. conviction for laundering bribes connected to insurance contracts through a New York business. Though Mr. Inniss contested the charges at trial, on appeal his lawyer didn’t argue over whether the bribery occurred. Instead, he tried to argue that the conduct wasn’t technically money laundering because Mr. Inniss didn’t launder the money after it was sent from the dental business. The appeals court also rejected arguments from Mr. Inniss that the jury instructions were faulty. Mr. Inniss is incarcerated in a prison outside Detroit and scheduled to be released in January, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.

Convicted NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was attacked by a fellow inmate and sex offender before being wrongly punished for the incident, his attorneys said in a lawsuit. Raniere has limited knowledge of the assault.”Raniere was “given a disciplinary ticket for ‘fighting’ ” and placed in the prison’s Special Housing Unit. Withers, the alleged attacker, is serving 18 years for his convictions linked to a sex trafficking operation. “The BOP is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all inmates in our population, our staff, and the public. Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison following his 2019 conviction on federal sex trafficking, racketeering and possession of child pornography charges.

Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer who pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison. Lane held down Floyd's legs as he cried out that he couldn't breathe, while another former officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 ½ minutes on May 25, 2020. As part of Lane's plea deal, a charge of aiding and abetting second-degree murder was dismissed, a spokesman for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted the case, previously said. Cahill said Lane’s state sentence will be concurrent with his federal sentence and that he will serve his time in a federal institution. Two other former officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, are scheduled to stand trial next month on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

In addition, the law requires that states and federal agencies report in-custody death information to the attorney general, who must then study how the data can help reduce such deaths and provide the results to Congress. The information was due at the end of 2016, but the Senate report says it won't be completed until 2024. The subcommittee's chairman, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said in a statement that there were "shocking long-term gaps in federal oversight" of the law. The Justice Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the most recent Justice Department data, 4,234 people died in state and federal prisons in 2019, a 6.6% decrease from 2018.

☆ COVID allowed Raquel Esquivel and 4,500 others to be released from overcrowded federal prisons. So why is she back behind bars?
▼ + stars: | 2021-08-13 | by ( Jamie Roth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

As COVID-19 spread through federal prisons, the Justice Department began a novel experiment: 4,500 prisoners were approved for home confinement with GPS ankle monitors. A federal correctional institution in Englewood, CO. As of May 5, there were 2,066 inmates who’d tested positive for COVID-19 in the federal prison system. "I was just recently released from federal prison," Esquivel wrote him last year on July 3, in their very first text exchange, which the couple shared with Insider. Her defense was enough for Dismas, Esquivel said, and the manager told her they wouldn't recommend any punishment. The next morning at Dismas, Esquivel busied herself as she waited for the bureau's ruling.

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