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MacArthur Justice Center’s Statement on President Biden’s Federal Death Penalty Commutations

We welcome the fulfillment of President Biden’s promise to commute the death sentences of 37 people on federal death row. The federal death penalty – just like state capital punishment systems – is racist, error-prone, drains public resources, and does not deter crime or make our communities safer. We encourage President Biden to finish the...

These Missouri Prisons Get ‘Brutally Hot.’ In Solitary, It’s Even Worse.

The MacArthur Justice Center lawsuit calls for swift policy change at Algoa. Jefferson City has already seen a handful of days in the 80s this year, including a high of 86 degrees in April. Shubra Ohri, one of the lead attorneys in the case, stressed that steadily rising temperatures across the state each summer mean that danger...

The Marshall Project

‘Trapped in a fiery kennel’: Lawsuit against Missouri Department of Corrections alleges extreme heat at one prison is a constitutional violation

“We know that it’s getting hotter every year,” said Shubra Ohri, senior counsel at the MacArthur Justice Center. “Our hope would be that this would prompt (Missouri Department of Corrections) to reconsider their practices here and understand that they are unconstitutional and inhumane.”

The Beacon

Missouri sued over excessive heat at prison in Jefferson City

“They were not sentenced to die, and they were not sentenced to be subject to such physical and emotional trauma and torture that they are experiencing at Algoa over the summer,” said Shubra Ohri, senior counsel at MacArthur Justice and the lead attorney on the case.

St. Louis Public Radio

He’s on Death Row for Murders. Prison Workers Say He Should Be Spared.

Brian Dorsey, who pleaded guilty to murder in the 2006 killings of Sarah and Ben Bonnie, is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday unless Missouri’s governor or the courts step in.

The New York Times

He faces execution. His lawyers may have earned less than $4 an hour

“He says he wants to find a way to make people’s lives better to atone for what he’s done."– Megan Crane

Los Angeles Times

Critics say Missouri’s parole practices are unconstitutional. A federal appeals court agrees

Amy Breihan, co-director of the Missouri office of the MacArthur Justice Center, a non-profit civil rights law firm which filed the lawsuit, said the decision was a win that will set the course for the department into the future. “The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals is one of the most conservative courts in the country,” she said. “Viewed in that context, this is a big win.”

KCUR

Missouri prison officials restrict inmate access to books from friends or family

“We want to treat them humanely. We don’t want them to be worse off coming out by being socially isolated, which is really devastating to one’s mental health, by being denied educational opportunities. This is a pretty shocking new policy,” MJC's Amy Breihan said.

Missouri Independent

Report Into 2021 Riots at St. Louis City Justice Center Was Seemingly Buried

"I'm shocked at what is going on in the jail, but I'm not at all surprised," says MJC's Amy Breihan, whose lawsuit helped bring the long-buried report to light. "This has been happening for years."

Riverfront Times

Corrections Officer Charged in Beating Previously Led Training on Mace

"People in leadership are aware of this happening, but they're not doing anything about it," said MJC's Shubra Ohri.

Riverfront Times

HIV-positive trans woman sues after solitary confinement

"Ms. Roe was trapped in isolation with no way to challenge her conditions," MJC's Shubra Ohri said. "Six years of that led Ms. Roe to self-harm, suicidal ideation, and actual suicide attempts."

The Bay Area Reporter