Prison

Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier: the gangster behind the violence in Haiti who may have political aspirations of his own

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Over the past two weeks, Haiti’s powerful gangs have plunged a country already on life support into a coma.

Key Points: 
  • Over the past two weeks, Haiti’s powerful gangs have plunged a country already on life support into a coma.
  • He is an unelected leader, taking power after Haiti’s president was assassinated in 2021, and has presided over the country’s economic freefall.
  • But Chérizier has emerged from the armed insurrection as the most formidable leader in Haiti, and some suspect he may have political aspirations of his own.
  • Haiti’s history is replete with political leaders with very dubious pasts, and the country’s citizens are used to their violent machinations.
  • According to Chérizier, his brand of violent street politics is very much in tune with the need of the hour.

Political acumen

  • The current political instability in Haiti has largely been manufactured by Chérizier and the gangs he leads as a cleverly thought-out survival strategy.
  • So, on the one hand, Chérizier’s decision to stir up a political uprising can be seen as a planned strategy to scare off any external forces seeking to impose order.
  • Chérizier has used Henry’s unpopularity and controversial decision to deploy foreign police officers in the nation to drum up a nationwide violent fervour for political change.
  • With Henry now out of the political scene, the chance that Haitians will be forced to embrace such an outcome may not be far-fetched after all.


Amalendu Misra has received funding from
British Academy /
Nuffield Foundation

Orijin partners with Interplay Learning to scale up access to skilled trades workforce development in correctional facilities

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Learners will be well-prepared to sit for industry-recognized credentials like NATE, OSHA 10, and EPA 608, unlocking accelerated pathways to career success in their chosen trades.

Key Points: 
  • Learners will be well-prepared to sit for industry-recognized credentials like NATE, OSHA 10, and EPA 608, unlocking accelerated pathways to career success in their chosen trades.
  • Incarcerated learners participating in correctional education programs are nearly 43%3 less likely to recidivate when compared with those who did not participate in correctional education programs.
  • With the Orijin-Interplay Learning partnership, jurisdictions can dramatically expand access to more incarcerated learners without having to add additional teachers or build new vocational shops.
  • "We are honored to have our skilled trades courses integrated into Orijin's innovative workforce development platform," said Doug Donovan, Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning.

ParaZero to Enter the Multi-Billion Dollar Counter Drone Market

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: PRZO) (the "Company” or “ParaZero”), an aerospace company focused on drone technologies for commercial drones, defense drones and urban air mobility aircraft, announced its intention to enter the counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS or anti-drone) market.

Key Points: 
  • Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: PRZO) (the "Company” or “ParaZero”), an aerospace company focused on drone technologies for commercial drones, defense drones and urban air mobility aircraft, announced its intention to enter the counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS or anti-drone) market.
  • Counter-drone technology encompasses a wide range of solutions that allow users to detect, classify, and mitigate drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.
  • This includes everything from camera systems and specialist drone detection radars to net guns and cyber takeover systems.
  • We believe that ParaZero can provide a unique alternative to today's conventional solutions and intend to start development without delay."

Willo Products Company Announces Record Number of Wedge™ Projects for 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

DECATUR, Ala., Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willo Products Company LLC, the trusted leader in the design, engineering, and sale of innovative detention locking systems, announced that in 2023 a record number of facilities chose the Willo Wedge™ to address their essential security infrastructure needs, resulting in double-digit growth in awarded projects.

Key Points: 
  • DECATUR, Ala., Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willo Products Company LLC, the trusted leader in the design, engineering, and sale of innovative detention locking systems, announced that in 2023 a record number of facilities chose the Willo Wedge™ to address their essential security infrastructure needs, resulting in double-digit growth in awarded projects.
  • In 2023, administrators and leaders from detention facilities across the U.S. chose locking system retrofits from Willo to address problematic locks and improve safety.
  • We designed the Willo Wedge with multiple patented features to ensure that locks stay locked,” said Wood.
  • We look forward to continuing to serve these customers with additional projects and maintenance services in the coming years,” ​said​ Wood.

GUARDIAN RFID Joins the AWS Partner Network and the AWS Public Sector Partner Program

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

GUARDIAN RFID , a global leader in inmate tracking systems and officer experience platforms, announced today that they have joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and the AWS Public Sector Partner (PSP) Program.

Key Points: 
  • GUARDIAN RFID , a global leader in inmate tracking systems and officer experience platforms, announced today that they have joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and the AWS Public Sector Partner (PSP) Program.
  • The PSP Program helps AWS Partners grow their public sector business through alignment with AWS public sector sales, marketing, funding, capture, and proposal terms.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222842918/en/
    GUARDIAN RFID Joins the AWS Partner Network and the AWS Public Sector Partner Program (Photo: Business Wire)
    The mission of GUARDIAN RFID is to protect America’s Thin Gray Line, the 480,000 correctional officers who serve in our nation’s jails and prisons.
  • “GUARDIAN RFID is honored to join the APN and PSP Program,” said Ken Dalley , Chief Warrior, GUARDIAN RFID.

Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Edward Gibbs Join with Broad Coalition to Announce Introduction of Reentry Fund that Would Provide Nearly $2,600 to New Yorkers Returning from Incarceration

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

ALBANY, N.Y., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a founding member of the Coalition for Reentry Cash, lauded New York Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Edward Gibbs for introducing groundbreaking legislation aimed at transforming the reentry experience by replacing the insufficient amount of 'gate money,' the money people receive when leaving incarceration, with an innovative Reentry Fund.

Key Points: 
  • "As the first formerly incarcerated person in the New York State Legislature, I understand the monumental challenges facing those reentering society from our state prisons.
  • Every year, thousands of individuals return to our communities, often with little more than the clothes on their backs," Assemblymember Edward Gibbs stated.
  • By offering this support, we're not only aiding individuals but also investing in the safety and prosperity of our communities.
  • CEO has distributed cash assistance to nearly two thousand New Yorkers through the Returning Citizen Stimulus and the results were transformative.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Documentary of Former Inmate Exposes Sex Discrimination & The Dangers of Housing Men in Women's Prisons

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Forum (IWF) released the first episode in its exclusive documentary series, Cruel & Unusual Punishment: The Male Takeover of Female Prisons. The series exposes the fallout of policies that allow male offenders—including convicted sex offenders—to declare themselves "women" and be housed with females, as told by female inmates who detail the untold, grim realities about what's been happening to female inmates behind closed doors.

Key Points: 
  • Gavin Newsom signed into law State Senate Bill 132 – legislation that opened the door for male prisoners to transfer into women's prisons.
  • "What little rights that we did have as inmates have been diminished with the 'trans men' who've come in.
  • The trauma and abuse Jennifer faced by being forced to share her intimate living space with violent, predatory men, is nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment.
  • As more states allow biological men who identify as women into women's prisons, few are aware of the ugly fallout.

Axon 2023 Revenue Grows 31% to $1.56 Billion

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Axon delivered annual revenue of $1.56 billion and net income of $174 million in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Axon delivered annual revenue of $1.56 billion and net income of $174 million in 2023.
  • Axon continues to grow our research and development ("R&D") footprint to invest in several multi-year growth opportunities, and our R&D expenses grew roughly in-line with revenue.
  • 2023 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA margin exceeded our expectations and reflect record performance for our company.
  • — Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO
    Following the launch of TASER 10 in January 2023, we introduced Axon Body 4 in April 2023, which has quickly become our fastest selling body camera product to date.

A More Just America Launches

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

PHOENIX, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A More Just America, a new 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to restorative justice and prioritizing the welfare and safety of vulnerable communities and military veterans within the criminal justice system, officially launched earlier this month. Founded by a former U.S. Army sniper and fully staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals, they advocate for policies that ensure equity and fairness in all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political ideology, or socio-economic status. They proudly announced their launch at an event organized in partnership with Dream.Org, Arizonans For Transparency and Accountability in Corrections (ATAC), Steven George Law, FAMM, and the American Conservative Union (ACU), among others.

Key Points: 
  • Improving such a wholly failing criminal justice system requires severing criminal justice policies from partisan politics while working to build a cooperative, collaborative, and balanced approach.
  • It belongs to all of us" said Founder of A More Just America Chris Stevens.
  • Through grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, public demonstrations, and collaboration with other organizations, A More Just America strives to mobilize communities and generate public support for reform.
  • Led by people who have lived experience inside the criminal justice system, A More Just America believes the system can ensure accountability for wrongdoing and enhance safety through a balance between proactive crime prevention and rehabilitation.

CRAIG WILLIAMS CHALLENGES DAVE SUNDAY TO A SERIES OF 10 DEBATES AROUND PA

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 23, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Craig Williams, former Federal Prosecutor, Marine Combat Veteran, and State Representative, emerged as a formidable advocate for justice and safety at the Philadelphia Criminal Inn of Court's Attorney General Forum last evening. As the most qualified Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General, Williams directly engaged with four Democrat challengers, underscoring his unwavering dedication and principled approach to tackling the state's urgent crime issues.

Key Points: 
  • The discussion revolved around the Gun Violence Task Force, which Rep. Williams re-designed in 2022 legislation to focus on felony gun prosecution in Philadelphia.
  • It was the same "hiding" strategy deployed in the endorsement process, which party bosses invoked virtually with no debates.
  • In contrast, Craig Williams, undeterred by being a more qualified underdog, stepped into the forum ready to advocate for the tough, necessary measures to make Pennsylvania safe.
  • With that, Williams issued a debate challenge to Sunday, who so far has been able to avoid being on stage with Williams.