(02/13/2013)
The Clinical Care Unit (CCU) at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison is about to be closed after only 10 years of use. The state spent $26 million to construct the 200-bed mental health facility but is now mothballing it in preparation for the opening of a new $117 million maximum-security prison.
(02/13/2013)
A rapidly deteriorating prison population in Colorado is forcing state officials to consider closing prisons.
(02/06/2013)
The American Correctional Association (ACA) held its annual winter conference in Houston, Texas at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Jan. 25-30. Hundreds of exhibitors and attendees gathered to see the latest products, projects and people in the industry.
(02/06/2013)
A very large political wind has shifted in the state of Texas. The Texas Association of Business (TAB), known as the most powerful business lobbying group in the Lone Star State, recently made criminal justice reform one of its main legislative priorities.
(01/23/2013)
A lot of change is set to happen in Forsyth County, as plans are moving forward on a major construction project.
In early January, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners were given plans for a new courthouse project and were also briefed on the plans to make it happen, including demolishing the current jail and building two parking garages instead of one.
(01/15/2013)
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and officials in Memphis, Tenn., entered into an agreement to overhaul the juvenile justice system within Shelby County. The agreement comes after a prolonged battle that includes reports and claims of detainee mistreatment at the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County (JCMSC) by the DOJ.
(01/15/2013)
The American Correctional Association’s (ACA) annual winter conference is set to take place Jan. 25-30 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
The conference will be complete with a full exhibit hall, panel hearings, meetings, workshops and correctional facility tours.
(12/12/2012)
There is a lot of movement happening in Denver, as Mike Langersmith, president and CEO of CML Specialties Inc., recently announced the formation of a new banner company, CML RW Security. The new company, which will have its headquarters in Denver, will serve as a full-service detention equipment and security electronics contractor, and looks to expand its geographical outreach, according to a statement by the new company.
(11/14/2012)
Two weeks ago, Colorado shut down a brand-new prison it didn’t need. Unless the state government finds someone else who can use it, Colorado taxpayers can expect to spend $208 million for an empty building.
By Kari Moosman, Constructive Communication Inc.
(11/14/2012)
(11/14/2012)
Downtown Fort Worth is now home to the most ironic building in Tarrant County. Tabbed as “the prettiest jail in Texas with the cruelest people in it,” the new, 207,700-square-foot, five-floor jail includes 444 maximum-security cells soon to house the county’s “worst of the worst” inmates, yet the building is beautiful. It looks nothing like the high-tech lockup it is.
