Prison

Evan Peters is re-teaming with Ryan Murphy for another dark role: real-life serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The 34-year-old actor, who most recently appeared in Disney+'s WandaVision, will portray the murderer in an upcoming limited series for Netflix titled Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, according to Deadline and Entertainment Weekly. Richard Jenkins, Niecy Nash and Penelope Ann Miller have also been cast, the reports said.Read Full StorySerial KillerMoviesCelebritiesNew Netflix SeriesNetflix Inc.WandaVisionAmerican Horror StoryDisneyMonsterCastingPrisonCannibalismJailMenLimited SeriesEvan PetersJeffrey DahmerRichard JenkinsNiecy NashPenelope Ann MillerDahmer

Getting my real estate broker’s license was a dream that I finally achieved after spending nearly two decades in prison and ultimately being exonerated for a crime I didn’t commit. My professional license allowed me to start a real estate business that helps formerly incarcerated people to buy homes and to build their careers. New Haven Independent Scott Lewis As Connecticut faces financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, improved professional licensing access is a way to strengthen the economy and open opportunities for higher-income employment. Unfortunately, people with criminal records are too often disqualified or discouraged from licensed professions. Specifically, I’ve seen formerly incarcerated employees, and my son, hesitate about pursuing this path because of uncertainty about how the licensing board will view their records. As a business owner, I want members of my team to advance and become licensed real estate agents. As someone who personally went through the reentry process I know the importance of meaningful work in rebuilding life after prison. That is why state lawmakers should pass House Bill 6445, which improves second chances by reducing barriers to professional licensing for people with convictions. When I was 25 years old, I attended a real estate seminar in New Haven and found my purpose. Becoming a licensed real estate agent was a way that I could help families like mine to build economic power through homeownership. I completed the required 60 hours of coursework and was studying for the licensing exam when my life was turned upside down. In 1991, I was arrested for a double murder that I did not commit. It would take 19 years for me to finally prove my innocence and gain my freedom. Donate to The Connecticut Mirror In 2015, I was officially exonerated and started piecing my life back together. The best way to replace what the system had taken from me, I decided, would be to pick up right where I left off.  I took the real estate exam and, after a 20-year delay, finally got my license. Since then I have built a business that provides work for 18 people and sells properties throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Through my company, I can fulfill my life’s mission of connecting people with brighter futures. Many of my independent contractors were in the criminal justice system, and I am mentoring them toward real estate careers and home purchase workshops.  However, they remain hesitant about pursuing a real estate license. How will the licensing board view their conviction? Will they complete coursework and the exam only to be rejected? My wrongful incarceration forced my son to grow up without me, and he got caught in the system. He wanted to become a real estate broker, but he was concerned about investing time and money without knowing what to expect from the licensing board. It took a lot of preparation and encouragement, but he was approved for the license. But the process made me wonder how many others in his situation were deterred or delayed in pursuing their dreams. Of course, my son and employees could continue doing behind-the-scenes work without a license, but they should be able to take the next step in their careers. House Bill 6445 will make a difference for people in their situations by providing clarity about how licensing boards will consider convictions. The bill requires several agencies to consider ways to pre-clear applicants before they invest in training and education. It removes an outdated requirement that applicants in some occupations possess “good moral character,” and clarifies that there must be case-specific considerations of felony convictions. As a business owner and formerly incarcerated person, removing barriers to work matters. Connecticut lawmakers can take a significant step towards a fair, inclusive economic recovery by passing this bill. Scott Lewis was exonerated of a double murder in New Haven after spending 19 years in prison. He is the owner of Lewis Real Estate Services . CTViewpoints welcomes rebuttal or opposing views to this and all its commentaries. Read our guidelines and submit your commentary here. Real Estate AgentsEconomyState PrisonBusiness OpportunitiesMassachusettsState LawmakersNew Haven IndependentHouseCTViewpointsBarriersConnecticut LawmakersFinancial ChallengesLicensed ProfessionsHigher-income EmploymentMeaningful Work

Military forces in Myanmar in a rare move Wednesday released hundreds of people who had been imprisoned in connection with demonstrations against last month's military coup that ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's civilian government. State-run TV said that a total of 628 people were released, with...Read Full StoryMilitary GovernmentMilitary JuntaAl JazeeraMandalayProtest RiotPolitical ProtestsMilitary CoupThe Associated PressAPCNNMyanmar Military ForcesProtestersDemonstratorsInsein PrisonCountryAung San Suu KyiThein ZawKhin Myo Chit

A 117-year old man from Texas was liberated from prison this morning after outliving a 99-year sentence, becoming the first prisoner to do so in the history of the United States. Grandson of one the most famous horse thief in American history, Henry William Borne was arrested by the Texas...Read Full Story PrisonTDCJSentenceAmerican HistoryArkansasDallasAmarilloWar CrimeWar HorseTexas RangersHenry William BorneHorse TheftManGrandsonPunishment

Press release from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office:. The female inmate decedent has been identified as Amber Marcotte, 34 years old, Santa Rosa. On July 10, Marcotte was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and booked into the Sonoma County jail (MADF). There were no signs of a physical...Read Full Story Santa RosaPrisonMedical EmergencyDeathInmatePress ReleaseCounty JailDUIAmber MarcotteJail PersonnelDetectivesMedical PersonnelSergeant Juan ValenciaJulyKin

BOSTON — Inmates at the Plymouth County jail facing federal charges have dropped a potential class action lawsuit that sought to release some detainees because of coronavirus concerns at the facility. The litigation, filed in federal court in April by four men, claimed that keeping federal inmates in the facility...Federal ChargesLawsuitClass ActionU.S. District CourtDetaineesCoronavirus Disease 2019Constitutional RightsPrisonFederal CourtCOVID-19 PandemicCorrectional FacilityBostonFederal District CourtCounty CourtMcDonaldAndrew LellingRead Full Story

A billboard in Houston that was recently put up in support of President Trump was defaced this week, displaying a new message against his reelection. Houston lawyer Rogelio Garcia captured a photo of the large billboard that was graffitied and altered to say, 'Take Trump to Prison,' local NBC affiliate KXAN reported.IncumbentBillboard (magazine)NBCKXANTurn Texas BlueRogelio Garcia LawyerPresident TrumpTURN TEXAS BLUEHouston TXThis WeekPicPrisonMessageOctoberDonald TrumpRead Full Story

Detroit Will Breathe is calling on officials to drop the charges against their members stemming from a Saturday protest and free them from jail. The group rallied at noon Sunday in front of the Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens after they said Shelby Township Police informed them that those arrested Saturday could face felony charges.Read Full Story PrisonFelony ChargesCounty JailThe Detroit NewsMount ClemensCounty CourtCounty PoliceArrested At ProtestShelby Township PoliceBlack Lives MatterRobert ShelideVan DykeNakia WallaceTrumpShelby Township Streets

Authorities allege that Jennifer Jeffrey was killed first, and that her son, Kester, died because he witnessed her murder. Federal authorities have charged an alleged Maryland drug dealer with the 2015 killings of a 31-y

Baton Rouge, La. (KTVE/KARD) (11/02/20)— East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) correctional officer Friday evening for attempting to smuggle drugs to inmates at the prison. DCI correctional officers apprehended 23-year-old Jamenisha Huff of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, around 4:30 Friday afternoon, as she arrived at work.Read Full Story Illegal Drug TradePrison OfficerSynthetic CannabinoidsMalfeasance In OfficeSmuggling DrugsPrison InmatesCorrections OfficerPublic SafetyGooglePenal InstitutionJimmy Le BlancDCI Correctional OfficersCorrections InvestigatorsIntroducing Contraband