prison accountability

Philly DA: Ex-Sergeant Committed Official Oppression in Jail Assault

By Shreya VermaMay 30, 20260 comments

Former Correctional Sgt. Ernest Blair has been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including aggravated assault and official oppression, following allegations of his involvement in the assault of an incarcerated individual at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center in May 2025. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office filed the charges in March 2026, subsequent to an investigation conducted by the Philadelphia Prisons Office of Professional Compliance.

Prison Bars

Federal Prison Oversight Act Brings New Era of Accountability

By Katherine ParkerSeptember 17, 20250 comments

The Federal Prison Oversight Act was passed to increase transparency and accountability in the nation’s largest prison system, giving the DOJ inspector general new authority to inspect federal prisons and allowing for an independent party to investigate claims made by incarcerated people, their families and prison staff.