San Quentin Officials Eye Possible Link Between Two Unexplained Inmate Deaths And Contraband Drugs
Also in prisoner health news, a bill pending in Congress includes a ban on shackling pregnant women.
San Francisco Chronicle:
2 More Death Row Inmates Die; San Quentin Officials Probe Possible Contraband Drugs
San Quentin prison officials called an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss a possible connection between contraband lethal drugs and the unexplained deaths of two Death Row inmates on Monday and Tuesday, according to an internal prison document obtained by The Chronicle. ...The fatality came just 24 hours after another condemned inmate, 53-year-old Herminio Serna, was pronounced dead at the facility. (Cassidy, 12/5)
WBUR:
Federal Legislation Seeks Ban On Shackling Of Pregnant Inmates
As Congress prepares to adjourn for the holidays, one piece of legislation that's still on the table is a bipartisan criminal justice bill known as the First Step Act. It aims to improve federal prison conditions and reduce some prison sentences, a sticking point for some lawmakers. But the bill also contains a less controversial provision: a ban on shackling pregnant women. (Cohen and Chang, 12/5)