Inmate Demands California Pay for Sex Change

Prisons awash in smuggled phones as authorities crack down

(NEWSER) - We know the kind of thing that gets traded on the prison black market: weapons, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes. Now add cell phones to the list, Time reports: Authorities say there is an epidemic of smuggled cell phones, which have been used to orchestrate crimes, plot escapes, and harass witnesses, in addition to keeping in touch with friends and family. California authorities confiscated 2,800 phones last year, double the previous year’s number. More»

Upholds federal panel's decision on poor prison conditions

(NEWSER) - In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has upheld a panel’s order that California release 46,000 inmates over the next two years to reduce overcrowding in state prisons. In 2009, a three-judge panel called on the state to reduce its prison population to 137% of capacity; overcrowding was resulting in poor medical care for inmates, which violated the Constitution, the panel said. The high court was faced with the question of whether the panel had the authority to issue such an order regarding state prisoners. More»

Calif. prison phone problem out of control, lawmakers say

(NEWSER) - California prison authorities are having a hard time keeping cell phones out of the hands of even the most notorious inmates. The number of phones confiscated in the state since officials started keeping track has jumped from 1,400 in 2007 to 8,675 so far this year, and prisoners who've had phone seized include Charles Manson. He made calls and sent texts to people in California, New Jersey, Florida, and British Columbia before guards found the LG flip phone stashed under his mattress the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

Gay rights groups hail move to create special detention center

(NEWSER) - Italy plans to convert an almost-empty women's prison into one of the world's first jails for transgender inmates. The nation has been holding transgender cons in women's prisons where they are segregated for their own safety, the BBC reports. The jail near Florence is expected to house some 30 transgender prisoners, most of whom are in prison for drug or prostitution offenses. More»

(NEWSER) - California violates inmates' constitutional rights by cramming them into overcrowded and unhealthy prisons, three federal judges ruled today. They ordered the state to reduce its inmate population of 158,000 by 43,000 over two years, the Los Angeles Times reports. No word yet on whether California will appeal to the Supreme Court, but the ruling might actually mesh with various inmate-reduction proposals being floated to help the state's shaky finances. More»