SPLC Calls on Court to Hold Alabama Prison System in Contempt
The Southern Poverty Law Center wants the state prison system held in contempt for failing to fill mental health positions. Contempt hearings began Tuesday in U.S. District Court involving the Alabama Department of Corrections and lawyers representing inmates.
The issue comes a year after a judge ruled mental health care in Alabama prisons was “horrendously inadequate.” A federal court ordered the Department of Corrections to have more than 260 mental health workers on staff by July 1. The state failed to meet that and previous deadlines.
Attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center say the goal is to keep pressure on the Department of Corrections until it meets the court’s requirements.
Earlier this year, prison officials signed a new contract with a mental health care vendor, Wexford Health Services. State officials say they have made good faith attempts to meet the staffing requirements, according to legal documents.
They also note the challenge of recruiting to rural areas and a statewide shortage of mental health professionals. The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The hearings are expected to last through Thursday.
The U.S. is destroying $9.7 million in contraceptives. Is there another option?
This planned destruction of birth control devices is part of the dismantling of USAID services — and linked to allegations by the government that cite abortion. Critics are speaking out.
Two Israeli human rights groups say their country is committing genocide in Gaza
It is the first time that Jewish-led organizations in Israel have made such accusations against the country during nearly 22 months of war.
States sue USDA over efforts to gather food stamp data on tens of millions of people
Twenty states and Washington, DC are suing USDA after the agency demanded states turn over sensitive data on applicants for food assistance by July 30.
‘There you are’: How Mariska Hargitay sought out the truth behind her bombshell mom
The Law & Order: SVU actor was 3 years old in 1967 when her movie star mom, Jayne Mansfield, died in a car crash. Hargitay's new documentary My Mom Jayne explores her mother's identity, and her own.
Don’t wait for the Perseids in August — look for meteors this week
A bright moon will make it hard to see the Perseid meteor shower in mid-August, but one night this week offers a decent chance of seeing some shooting stars.
Mental health warnings on social media? Minnesota will require them next year
Supporters say the pop-up messages could encourage Minnesotans, especially kids, to think twice about how much time they spend on sites. Social media companies argue that the law is heavy-handed.