Corrections Weekly Brief: May 13–18, 2025
From a significant jail escape in New Orleans to legislative actions on prison conditions in Texas and the closure of an aging facility in Minnesota, here’s the most relevant corrections industry news from the past week:
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West Virginia Officer Sentenced for Role in Inmate’s Death Cover-Up
A former supervisory correctional officer in West Virginia was sentenced to over 17 years in prison for conspiracy and obstruction related to the fatal assault of an inmate in 2022. The officer threatened subordinates and falsified reports to cover up the incident, in which seven other officers had already pleaded guilty.
Published: May 15, 2025
Office of Public Affairs | Former West Virginia Supervisory Correctional Officer Sentenced to more than 17 Years in Prison on Conspiracy and Obstruction Charges | United States Department of Justice -
Texas House Approves Bill Mandating Air Conditioning in Prisons
The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill requiring all state prisons to install air conditioning by the end of 2032. The bill mandates phased implementation to maintain temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in key areas, addressing long-standing concerns about inmate welfare in the state’s extreme heat.
Published: May 15, 2025
House bill requiring air conditioning in Texas prisons OK’d | The Texas Tribune -
Minnesota to Phase Out Operations at Stillwater Prison Due to Infrastructure Concerns
Minnesota announced plans to phase out operations at the Stillwater Correctional Facility over the next four years due to the aging and deteriorating infrastructure of the institution. The decision, part of a recent state budget agreement, will involve transferring over 1,200 incarcerated individuals to other facilities.
Published: May 16, 2025
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/16/minnesota-corrections-investigator-welcomes-phased-closure-of-stillwater-prison -
BOP Director Represents Agency at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Vigil
Director William K. Marshall III of the Federal Bureau of Prisons represented the agency at the annual National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C. The vigil honored 345 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, including 148 federal, state, tribal, and local officers whose names were newly inscribed on the Memorial.
Published: May 14, 2025
BOP: Director Represents BOP at NLEOM Candlelight Vigil
Tools & Tips
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Securus Technologies Showcases Corrections Technology:
Securus Technologies presented its latest innovations, including the EVOTAB tablet for incarcerated individuals and the Officer T80 tablet for correctional staff, at the 2025 American Jail Association Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
Securus Technologies Showcases Scalable Corrections Tech at 2025 American Jail Associate Conference -
NCCHC Releases Updated Guidelines for Substance Use Disorder Treatment:
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) published the “Jail Guidelines for the Medical Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2025,” offering comprehensive recommendations for implementing effective medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in correctional facilities.
https://www.ncchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025-MAT-Guidelines-for-Substance-Use-Disorders-3-6-25.pdf
Fun Fact
Did you know? In 2023, state prisons across the United States experienced an increase of approximately 27,000 individuals in their custody compared to the previous year. This rise follows a period of decline and marks a substantial change in incarceration trends.
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2025 | Prison Policy Initiative
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any corrections events or utilized new corrections tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.