Witnesses throw water on Kansas House’s congressional map carving into 3rd District

“We ask committee leadership to rethink the course of their actions,” Mark McCormick, ACLU, said. “Slow down the process. Allow for a reasonable amount of time for public comment. Provide all information on maps publicly. We have a long process ahead of us. We have time to do it right.”

Mark McCormick, ACLU, speaks at Kansas legislative redistricting hearing

Court rules ACLU Kansas, Kansas Appleseed can move forward with Wichita Police gang list lawsuit

A United States District Court has ruled that the ACLU of Kansas and the Kansas Appleseed can move forward with its lawsuit against the City of Wichita regarding police use of a "gang list."

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Kansas organizations seek end to ‘pernicious practice’ of juvenile fines and fees

TOPEKA — A coalition of Kansas organizations are seeking to end the “pernicious practice” of extracting wealth from children and their families through fines and fees in the legal system.

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Town drops charges against man flying profane anti-Biden flag, ACLU of Kansas says

A Kansan says he is grateful he’ll be allowed to continue flying his “F--- Biden” flag after his town dropped all related charges against him. 

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm - Unsplash

Blue Cross of Kansas changes policy on transgender surgery

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has changed a policy that denied sex reassignment surgery to people who did not legally change their names, the company confirmed Thursday.

Stethoscope Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography - Unsplash

Leavenworth prison beset by reports of violence and mismanagement faces uncertain future

The ACLU complained in a letter of reports of stabbings, understaffing and poor security at the private prison. As CoreCivic's contract expires this month, questions about its future remain.

Leavenworth Detention Center in 2016

KU Law graduate awarded prestigious Skadden Fellowship

Considered the most prestigious and competitive award for public interest law graduates, Skadden Fellowships provide two years of funding for lawyers pursuing public-interest law projects of their own design. Hiegert is one of 28 judicial clerks and graduating law students across the country to receive a Skadden Fellowship.

D.C. Hiegert

Biden vowed to close federal private prisons, but prison companies are finding loopholes to keep them open

(CNN)Leavenworth Detention Center seems like a prime example of why President Joe Biden wants to close private prisons: So far this year, the federally contracted jail has been the site of multiple stabbings and a fatal beating. Former guards say drugs and weapons are common behind bars -- and for months, many cell doors didn't even lock. A judge called it "an absolute hellhole" at a recent sentencing hearing. 

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For-profit Kansas prison an understaffed ‘hell hole’ of violence, death and drugs

LEAVENWORTH — Dangerous understaffing, pervasive drugs and a stockpile of weapons have transformed a private detention center in Kansas into a “hell hole” where violence is routine and inmates are still on lockdown after one was beaten to death this summer.

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