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| Report Finds Wyo. Prison Improvement |
| By The Star-Tribune |
| Published: 12/19/2005 |
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Conditions at the Wyoming State Penitentiary are "vastly improved" over the last two years, although some problems persist, according a report on changes made at the prison to prevent inmate-on-inmate assaults. "I still believe the Wyoming State Penitentiary is not a dangerous prison," said the report by William C. Collins. Collins is an attorney appointed as a "joint expert" to monitor prison improvements required in a remedial plan ordered by U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer more than two years ago. The plan is the outgrowth of a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of inmate Brad Skinner against the Department of Corrections. On Nov. 4, 1999, three inmates severely beat Skinner, because they thought he was an informant. Collins' report said the prison still has delays in following up prison assault incidents with corrective action. But he noted the number of incidents is low and the majority are short physical altercations between inmates. "We think we've come a long way," Department of Corrections Director Bob Lampert said last week. Under the Prison Litigation Act, the state is free to file for termination of the plan after two years. Lampert said last week that the state probably will file a motion to terminate in the near future. The ACLU will oppose that motion, said Stephen Pevar, the organization's chief national counsel, because although the department has made "great strides," more needs to be done at the prison. |
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