Free Republic

A central California jail was examining security measures after an ex-convict shot and wounded two unarmed officers in the lobby, but officials said Sunday that they did not plan any immediate changes. After reviewing Saturday’s shooting that left correctional Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan in critical condition, authorities will decide whether to alter procedures in the public area of the Fresno County jail, sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said. […] Thong Vang, 37, is accused of shooting the officers in the head and neck areas during a struggle and has been booked into jail on suspicion of attempted murder, possessing...

Convicts were forced to march to a new top-security jail — wearing just pink underpants and flip-flops to deter escape bids. Prison bosses reckoned the 700 hardmen would be too embarrassed to go on the run in gay-style garb. Muscle-bound, tattooed thugs were linked with pink handcuffs for the two-mile hike. And when they reached the new clink in Phoenix, Arizona, one con had to cut a pink ribbon to open it. Tough Sheriff Joe Arpaio said: “I put them on the street so everybody could see them. They can see this is what happens to people who break the...

Disabled inmate hangs self in Dallas County jail It's 1st in-custody death at the facility this year; there were 16 in 2002 01/07/2003 By TIM WYATT / The Dallas Morning News A 55-year-old disabled woman hanged herself in her jail cell Sunday night. It was the first in-custody death of the year at the Dallas County jail. Merna Argovitz Kann, who used a wheelchair and was serving a six-month term for a misdemeanor theft conviction, took off her jail jumper, tied it around her neck and around shelving in her cell, and hanged herself, according to the Dallas County...

Guards find marijuana in South Texas county jail Cameron sheriff considers changing staff at detention center 12/15/2002 Associated Press BROWNSVILLE - Two marijuana cigarettes were discovered at the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito, prompting the Cameron County sheriff to consider staffing changes at the troubled jail system. Sheriff Conrado Cantu said Friday that the drugs were found Thursday by two guards during a routine search at the maximum-security facility. Sheriff Cantu said he will release a statement Monday about possible staffing changes. "We are just trying as hard as we can to clean up that jail," he told The...