pdx law grrrl
@pdxlawgrrrl.bsky.social
Attorney. Posting about criminal legal issues, immigration, and protests.
@pdxlawgrrrl on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/pdxlawgrrrl
@pdxlawgrrrl on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/pdxlawgrrrl
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In Earnings Calls, Private Prison Executives Revel in Profiting Off ICE Arrests
“Our business is perfectly aligned with the demands of this moment,” CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger said on the call.
truthout.org
Private prison executives casually discussed the "3,000 arrests per day" quota in earnings calls—despite the Department of Justice previously denying any quota exists. This is fueling immigration raids nationwide while companies rake in record profits.
NYC civil summonses surged under Mayor Eric Adams—from 11,000 in 2019 (before he was mayor) to over 90,000 in 2024—undermining the spirit of a 2016 criminal justice reform. Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately targeted in neighborhoods that are traditionally overpoliced.
Under Eric Adams, the NYPD Sharply Increases Tickets for Low-Level Infractions - Bolts
New York City’s outgoing mayor has directed police to issue more civil summonses, sparking concerns the practice is undermining a city reform. Will the next mayor take a different path?
boltsmag.org
November 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
NYC civil summonses surged under Mayor Eric Adams—from 11,000 in 2019 (before he was mayor) to over 90,000 in 2024—undermining the spirit of a 2016 criminal justice reform. Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately targeted in neighborhoods that are traditionally overpoliced.
Exonerations grind to a halt under Chicago's new prosecutor Eileen O'Neill Burke — despite a 77-page report documenting that Detective Brian Forberg and his partners allegedly coerced witnesses in 24 cases. All defendants are Black. 18 remain in prison.
Exonerations Grind to a Halt Under Chicago’s New Prosecutor - Bolts
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke has weakened her office’s already broken system for freeing the innocent, even as allegations of coercion mount against a former Chicago detective.
boltsmag.org
October 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Exonerations grind to a halt under Chicago's new prosecutor Eileen O'Neill Burke — despite a 77-page report documenting that Detective Brian Forberg and his partners allegedly coerced witnesses in 24 cases. All defendants are Black. 18 remain in prison.
Police are investigating a possible arson at Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos's home. Her car and carport were destroyed. This echoes a suspected arson near then-Commissioner Rene Gonzalez's home in 2024 when someone set his father's car on fire.
Police Investigate Fire That Consumed Councilor Candace Avalos’ Car
Portland police say they are investigating a possible arson outside of City Councilor Candace Avalos’ East Portland home.
www.wweek.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Police are investigating a possible arson at Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos's home. Her car and carport were destroyed. This echoes a suspected arson near then-Commissioner Rene Gonzalez's home in 2024 when someone set his father's car on fire.
A judge just dismissed a lawsuit from women who were filmed by guards via body cameras during strip searches in Michigan prisons. The women experienced severe physical manifestations of psychological distress. Privacy violations dismissed. Dignity denied.
Lawsuit claiming Michigan Department of Corrections recorded inmates during strip searches dismissed
A lawsuit alleging that the Michigan Department of Corrections instructed guards to use body cameras during routine strip searches at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Washtenaw County...
www.clickondetroit.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A judge just dismissed a lawsuit from women who were filmed by guards via body cameras during strip searches in Michigan prisons. The women experienced severe physical manifestations of psychological distress. Privacy violations dismissed. Dignity denied.
A 16-year-old NYC student with LEGAL status, protected as "abused, abandoned, or neglected," was arrested by ICE at a routine check-in. When the Trump administration punishes kids with lawful status for following the rules, it turns justice into a farce.
16-Year-Old Bronx High Schooler Arrested by ICE at Check-In
The Ecuadorian teen was legally in the United States under a special status for at-risk juveniles, which under prior administrations shielded a young person from deportation until they could apply for...
www.thecity.nyc
October 26, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A 16-year-old NYC student with LEGAL status, protected as "abused, abandoned, or neglected," was arrested by ICE at a routine check-in. When the Trump administration punishes kids with lawful status for following the rules, it turns justice into a farce.
Trump has increased partnerships with state and local police to go after immigrants by 600% — including wildlife commissions and lottery agencies. He's building a national police force under his command, justified by lies about immigrant crime waves that research shows don't exist.
Trump “National Police Force” Built on ICE Partnerships With Local Agencies Like… Wildlife Commissions?
Trump is using ICE partnerships and lies about immigrant crime waves to create a national police force that operates under his orders.
theintercept.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Trump has increased partnerships with state and local police to go after immigrants by 600% — including wildlife commissions and lottery agencies. He's building a national police force under his command, justified by lies about immigrant crime waves that research shows don't exist.
Federal prosecutors charged 2 protesters with terrorism for constitutionally protected activity. Shots were fired at an ICE protest, but neither is accused of firing the gun. The Trump administration is making good on its threat to treat anti-fascist activity as terrorism.
“Antifa” Protesters Charged With Terrorism for Constitutionally Protected Activity
After a protest against ICE, federal prosecutors pursued guilt-by-association charges against two “antifa” protesters.
theintercept.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Federal prosecutors charged 2 protesters with terrorism for constitutionally protected activity. Shots were fired at an ICE protest, but neither is accused of firing the gun. The Trump administration is making good on its threat to treat anti-fascist activity as terrorism.
The Trump administration is billing unaccompanied immigrant children as young as 14 a $5,000 fine for crossing the border. The kids are in federal custody with no way to work or pay. Payment is "due now" with threats of litigation and harm to their cases.
DHS Is Billing Unaccompanied Immigrant Kids $5,000
The Trump administration is slapping teenagers in federal custody with fees for crossing the border under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
theintercept.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The Trump administration is billing unaccompanied immigrant children as young as 14 a $5,000 fine for crossing the border. The kids are in federal custody with no way to work or pay. Payment is "due now" with threats of litigation and harm to their cases.
Private prison executives casually discussed the "3,000 arrests per day" quota in earnings calls—despite the Department of Justice previously denying any quota exists. This is fueling immigration raids nationwide while companies rake in record profits.
In Earnings Calls, Private Prison Executives Revel in Profiting Off ICE Arrests
“Our business is perfectly aligned with the demands of this moment,” CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger said on the call.
truthout.org
October 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Private prison executives casually discussed the "3,000 arrests per day" quota in earnings calls—despite the Department of Justice previously denying any quota exists. This is fueling immigration raids nationwide while companies rake in record profits.
Lamont Mealy, a mentally ill man, was locked in solitary confinement in a Maryland prison. Guards shut off water to his cell. A fellow prisoner says guards taunted him. He died of dehydration after 8 days. His family's lawsuit asserts officials covered it up.
How a Maryland prisoner died an ‘excruciating’ death from dehydration
Lamont Mealy died of dehydration in an isolation cell at Western Correctional Institution in 2023. A lawsuit claims state officials covered it up.
www.thebanner.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Lamont Mealy, a mentally ill man, was locked in solitary confinement in a Maryland prison. Guards shut off water to his cell. A fellow prisoner says guards taunted him. He died of dehydration after 8 days. His family's lawsuit asserts officials covered it up.
5 years after George Floyd's murder, Minneapolis police avoid accountability through "coaching." Supervisors simply talk to officers about complaints instead of formal investigations, even for serious misconduct.
As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight - Bolts
Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.
boltsmag.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:20 AM
5 years after George Floyd's murder, Minneapolis police avoid accountability through "coaching." Supervisors simply talk to officers about complaints instead of formal investigations, even for serious misconduct.
Federal agents raided the WRONG HOME in Portland—no warrant, guns drawn on a family with a baby. ICE still arrested 2 people after realizing the mistake. ICE official on the aggressive tactics: "If people interpret that as aggressive, so be it."
ICE official defends agency's tactics amid fallout from raid on wrong home in Portland, Oregon
In footage shared widely on social media last week, federal immigration agents were seen breaking into a home Portland, Oregon — but the person they were looking for doesn't live there.
www.cbsnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Federal agents raided the WRONG HOME in Portland—no warrant, guns drawn on a family with a baby. ICE still arrested 2 people after realizing the mistake. ICE official on the aggressive tactics: "If people interpret that as aggressive, so be it."
Incarcerated women regularly face poor treatment during their pregnancies, including inadequate nutrition, harmful cavity searches, and delivery while shackled. Prison doulas can be a lifeline for incarcerated pregnant women. But the most important solution is to abolish prison births altogether.
The Activists Fighting for Dignity for Incarcerated Pregnant Women
Prison doulas and legislative interventions can be a lifeline for incarcerated pregnant women. But the most important solution is to abolish prison births altogether.
www.thenation.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Incarcerated women regularly face poor treatment during their pregnancies, including inadequate nutrition, harmful cavity searches, and delivery while shackled. Prison doulas can be a lifeline for incarcerated pregnant women. But the most important solution is to abolish prison births altogether.
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a murder. But a co-defendant testified against him under the threat of capital punishment. He was sentenced to death by a 10-2 jury vote. Only two states allow death sentences even when all jurors don’t agree. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a murder. But a co-defendant testified against him under the threat of capital punishment. He was sentenced to death by a 10-2 jury vote. Only two states allow death sentences even when all jurors don’t agree. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
A federal judge on Sunday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon in response to ICE protests in Portland. Small protests have been going on nightly outside Portland’s ICE processing facility since Trump’s second term began in January.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from sending National Guard troops to Oregon
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon, including the California National Guard.
apnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A federal judge on Sunday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon in response to ICE protests in Portland. Small protests have been going on nightly outside Portland’s ICE processing facility since Trump’s second term began in January.
Trump is sending California National Guard to Portland after a federal judge blocked his deployment Oregon National Guard over ICE protests that “did not pose a danger of a rebellion." California governor plans to sue over the deployment. “This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power."
Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon, Newsom says, after judge paused plan to deploy troops | CNN
Three hundred California National Guard members are on their way to Oregon on President Trump’s orders after a judge blocked his deployment of the Oregon National Guard to Portland, California Gov. Ga...
www.cnn.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Trump is sending California National Guard to Portland after a federal judge blocked his deployment Oregon National Guard over ICE protests that “did not pose a danger of a rebellion." California governor plans to sue over the deployment. “This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power."
For the third year, California killed a bill to help incarcerated domestic violence survivors. “There are a ton of states that are far more conservative than California that passed more extensive legislation through Republican run legislatures."
For Third Year, California Kills Bill to Help Incarcerated Domestic Violence Survivors - Bolts
Advocates in California have pushed for relief for people convicted of harming their abuser, hoping to build on states across the political spectrum that have adopted such reforms.
boltsmag.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
For the third year, California killed a bill to help incarcerated domestic violence survivors. “There are a ton of states that are far more conservative than California that passed more extensive legislation through Republican run legislatures."
The United Nations defines solitary confinement as torture. But our country’s prisons and jails continue to isolate people inside small, closet-like cells for weeks, months, and even years. "Solitary is never appropriate. Is torture ever appropriate?"
“Designed to Break You:” Two Incarcerated Writers on the Heavy Toll of Solitary Confinement - Bolts
Isolating people inside a small, closet-like cell for weeks, months, and even years on end remains common inside this country’s prisons and jails, even though the United Nations defines the... Read Mo...
boltsmag.org
September 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The United Nations defines solitary confinement as torture. But our country’s prisons and jails continue to isolate people inside small, closet-like cells for weeks, months, and even years. "Solitary is never appropriate. Is torture ever appropriate?"
"A group of incarcerated transgender women and men have sued Georgia corrections officials, challenging a new law that prevents them from receiving gender-affirming medical care." This is cruel and unusual punishment.
Trans people in Georgia prisons are being forced to detransition. Now they’re suing. - The Current
A group of incarcerated transgender women and men have sued Georgia corrections officials, challenging a new law that prevents them from receiving gender-affirming medical care, arguing that it violat...
thecurrentga.org
August 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
"A group of incarcerated transgender women and men have sued Georgia corrections officials, challenging a new law that prevents them from receiving gender-affirming medical care." This is cruel and unusual punishment.
Research has found that college-educated officers tend to use less force, have fewer complaints against them, and write better reports. But there is a trend of cities cutting education requirements for police in hopes of attracting more applicants.
Cities hope to attract more police officers by cutting education requirements
Some cities hope that relaxing education hiring standards may solve lingering staffing shortages. Is that a good idea?
www.usatoday.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Research has found that college-educated officers tend to use less force, have fewer complaints against them, and write better reports. But there is a trend of cities cutting education requirements for police in hopes of attracting more applicants.
An Alabama teen was shot alongside his friend, then prosecuted for his killing. Felony murder laws allow prosecutors to charge defendants with the death of an accomplice, even when the killing was committed by someone else.
A Friend's Death to Mourn, and to Serve Time for - Bolts
An Alabama teen was shot alongside his friend, then prosecuted for his killing. His case highlights a particularly harsh doctrine in American criminal punishment: felony murder.
boltsmag.org
August 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
An Alabama teen was shot alongside his friend, then prosecuted for his killing. Felony murder laws allow prosecutors to charge defendants with the death of an accomplice, even when the killing was committed by someone else.
NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested at immigration court by masked federal agents while accompanying an immigrant out of the courtroom whose case was dismissed. This is “more evidence that ICE agents are flagrantly breaking the law."
New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested at immigration court
Lander, also the city’s comptroller, was ‘arrested for assaulting law enforcement’, says DHS
www.theguardian.com
June 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested at immigration court by masked federal agents while accompanying an immigrant out of the courtroom whose case was dismissed. This is “more evidence that ICE agents are flagrantly breaking the law."
Today is International Sex Workers' Day. The criminalization of sex work increases the risk of harm to sex workers -- including harm from arrest, jailing, conviction, stigmatization, violence, and exploitation. Sex work should be decriminalized.
Sex workers’ fight for decriminalization, explained
Sex workers have been fighting for decriminalization for generations. Now politicians are starting to listen.
www.vox.com
June 3, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Today is International Sex Workers' Day. The criminalization of sex work increases the risk of harm to sex workers -- including harm from arrest, jailing, conviction, stigmatization, violence, and exploitation. Sex work should be decriminalized.
Amanda Cahill died in her cell in a Philly jail. Screaming for help for over an hour. Women jailed near her pleaded for medical attention, but nobody responded. Philly voters just approved a ballot measure to bolster oversight over the city’s deadly jails.
Philadelphia Measure Would Bolster Oversight for the City’s Deadly Jails - Bolts
On May 20, Philadelphia voters will choose whether to create an independent body to investigate dangerous conditions that have plagued the city’s jails for decades.
boltsmag.org
May 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Amanda Cahill died in her cell in a Philly jail. Screaming for help for over an hour. Women jailed near her pleaded for medical attention, but nobody responded. Philly voters just approved a ballot measure to bolster oversight over the city’s deadly jails.
Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez announced this year her department has a “zero contact policy” with ICE. But last year received over $1 million from the federal government in exchange for sharing sensitive information about undocumented immigrants.
This Bay Area County Says It Cut Ties with ICE. This Program Says Otherwise. - Bolts
A widespread data-sharing program highlights financial ties between local police and immigration enforcement—and how even sanctuary jurisdictions still feed “the deportation machine.”
boltsmag.org
May 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez announced this year her department has a “zero contact policy” with ICE. But last year received over $1 million from the federal government in exchange for sharing sensitive information about undocumented immigrants.