Governor Eric Holcomb says he doesn’t support the idea of releasing low-level offenders from the Department of Correction to protect them from COVID-19. “We’ve got our offenders in a safe place, we believe, maybe even safer than just letting them out, to avoid contracting this COVID-19,” Holcomb said during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Monday.
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The Indiana Supreme Court handed down a decision this week that denies a request from the American Civil Liberties Union that would allow prisoners to be let out of prison who are at a heightened risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. The request included early release of inmates who are within six months of their expected release date, reduction of sentences, place qualified inmates on home detention, or grant early parole.
Continue readingThe American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court on Monday to take emergency steps to evaluate pretrial detainees and inmates who are at high risk of death due to COVID-19 and to release them.
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The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator should finally be ready for use tomorrow. “The state inspector will be here on Thursday, inspect the elevator,” Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the county council and commissioners Monday. “The elevator will be operational Thursday afternoon, I’m hoping.”
Pulaski County officials are hopeful that the courthouse’s new elevator will be ready in time for Monday’s county commissioners meeting, in spite of a last-minute hiccup. Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston says a fire alarm issue means the elevator probably won’t be in service by tomorrow, as previously announced. But the contractor says it should still be ready for Monday, according to Johnston. He adds that crews are working diligently to get it done.
The replacement of the Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is on track to be complete by its October construction deadline. The problem is that the original legal agreement called for it to be installed by the end of September. The project is part of a larger effort to make the courthouse compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit over a lack of accessibility.
The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is a step closer to getting replaced. Bids from three construction companies were opened during last week’s county commissioners meeting. They ranged from $489,000 to over $594,000. The bids will now be reviewed by Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston, County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, and representatives from Keystone Architecture, before the commissioners make a decision.
Lawmakers removed a provision from House Bill 1351 that would have required everyone who applies for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” to undergo drug screening. However, it still would require anyone with a misdemeanor drug conviction in the past ten years to be drug-tested annually while receiving assistance. ACLU of Indiana executive director Jane Henegar said that intrudes on an individual’s right to privacy.
