PC Andrew Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, called the potential early release of two of his killers "deplorable" as Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a review of the Sentencing Act, which allows for earlier release of thousands of offenders in England and Wales to ease prison overcrowding.
UK ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood apologized for "ribbing" about the early release of prisoners on camera, drawing strong condemnation from victims' groups and commissioners who warn the scheme endangers abuse survivors.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova confirmed that Russia and Ukraine exchange equal numbers of prisoners of war, with 550 individuals returned by each side. She highlighted cooperation with Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitri Lubinets on exchanges and verifying missing persons lists.
Bucks County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Gaffney was charged with official oppression and other crimes for allegedly secretly photographing nude prisoners with his iPhone and sharing the images with civilian employees, then lying about it.
L'ONG Prisoners Defenders denuncia un record di 1.306 detenuti politici a Cuba a fine giugno, con 32 nuovi casi nell'ultimo mese. L'organizzazione critica il governo per aver intensificato gli arresti mirati e l'uso della privazione medica come repressione.
A violent prison riot in Sri Lanka has resulted in 26 deaths, including seven guards, and over 100 injuries. The clashes, involving two drug gangs at Negombo Prison, are the deadliest in the country's recent history. An investigation has been launched.
A BBC World Service investigation has identified Yurii Temerbek and two other men accused of torturing and sexually assaulting civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Survivors describe systematic abuse in secret detention centers, with allegations including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence. The accused men appear to be living ordinary lives in Russia and occupied Ukraine, while Ukrainian authorities pursue criminal proceedings against them.
HM inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor's final report criticizes Labour ministers for "brutal" cuts to prison education, leading to increased drug use, self-harm, and violence. Taylor warns of risks from upcoming prisoner releases and highlights issues like drone smuggling and long delays for mentally unwell patients.
The death toll from violent unrest at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has climbed to 25, including four guards. Over 100 people were injured in clashes between rival inmate groups, reportedly over drug trafficking operations. Security forces have been deployed to restore order.
The death toll from violent unrest at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has risen to 19, including four guards. Over 100 people were injured in clashes between rival inmate groups, reportedly over drug trafficking activities. Security forces have been deployed to restore order.
Two soldiers, identified as South Korean nationals, were captured in Kursk in early 2025. Seoul considers the entire Korean peninsula its territory, making them citizens. Kyiv seeks South Korean arms amid Western supply struggles, while Seoul hesitates due to the active war zone.
South Korea considers soldiers captured in Kursk in early 2025 as its nationals, per its constitution. Seoul is open to accepting defectors, amid Kyiv's push for South Korean arms and EU pressure on Seoul to supply Ukraine.
Crimea declared an "emergency situation" due to fuel shortages and power cuts from Ukrainian aerial attacks. Russia reported shooting down 660 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine plans domestic AI computing capacity with Kyivstar, and both nations swapped 160 captured soldiers.
The UK government plans to release approximately 6,000 inmates in stages over the coming months to alleviate prison overcrowding. Prisoners serving sentences under 18 months will be released first, with others eligible later based on behavior and sentence length. The reforms have faced criticism from opposition parties and justice groups concerned about victims' distress.
The US Supreme Court ruled that a Rastafarian man cannot sue prison officials for cutting his dreadlocks, citing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Justice Gorsuch stated officials must consent to liability under RLUIPA, a decision dissented by liberal justices.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a Louisiana prisoner cannot sue prison guards for money damages after they forcibly shaved his dreadlocks, citing the Spending Clause of the Constitution. The majority held that laws passed under this clause function as contracts, and individual suits require the agreement of the sued parties.
Kent Kiehl's research using fMRI to identify psychopathy in criminals has become controversial. Despite initial skepticism, his work has been used in thousands of US court cases to argue for lighter sentences, but critics warn it echoes discredited eugenic thinking and can lead to harsher punishments.
Anthony Bailey, 61, freed after 27 years, now faces prison again due to a Supreme Court ruling limiting compassionate release. The ruling excludes inmates whose sentences are long due to mandatory penalties, even if no shots were fired.
A UK probation union has declared no confidence in management due to excessive workloads, warning of direct public risk. Industrial action is threatened unless support and pay increase, as plans expand electronic tagging for 40,000 ex-offenders.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated he is open to a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the coming months. Lukashenko mentioned potential topics for discussion include embassy issues, economic and financial matters, and prisoner releases, suggesting they should be addressed as a package.
Former political prisoners in Myanmar recount systematic torture, sexual abuse, and neglect in prisons, including invasive strip-searches and threats of rape. Despite recent amnesties and political changes, activists like Thazin and Ma Khaing state abuses continue, with many still detained.
A US federal appeals court has ordered further review of Alabama's use of nitrogen gas for executions, citing concerns over its constitutionality under the ban on cruel and unusual punishment, potentially impacting a scheduled execution.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accuses Iran of leveraging Lebanon in negotiations with the US.
The Israeli Supreme Court has overturned a ban preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting Palestinian prisoners. The court found the government lacked sufficient legal grounds for the blanket prohibition, imposed after the October 7th Hamas attack. The ICRC welcomed the decision, emphasizing its commitment to international humanitarian law.
