Latest news with #Corrections
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Insane sanctuary laws make NYC unsafe — but ICE is up for the fight
Border Czar Tom Homan threw down a welcome warning to illegal-immigrant thugs — and a lifeline to beleaguered New Yorkers: ICE is coming, and it's going to 'flood the zone.' That's good news: New York City's crazy 'sanctuary' laws let illegal immigrant criminals hide in plain sight. 'Sanctuary cities are now our priority,' Homan announced, after an off-duty border cop was almost killed by two suspected illegal-immigrant criminals. 'Sanctuary cities are unsafe cities.' Advertisement Indeed, lefty activists who fight ICE agents and back local sanctuary laws share much of the blame for the violence their darling migrants commit. In fact, it's precisely those laws that force to Homan to send more agents than he otherwise would. That's because the laws ban ICE from prisons and jails, where illegal immigrants can be handed over to ICE, forcing agents to pursue them on the streets. Advertisement That's a lot more dangerous — and requires more agents to find and haul them in safely. 'If we can't arrest a bad guy in the safety and security of a jail,' notes Homan, 'we'll arrest them in the community.' The irony's unmistakable: 'Sanctuary cities get exactly what they don't want — more agents in their community,' he says. ICE used to have an office on Rikers, and when a dangerous illegal migrant came through the jail system, ICE would ask the NYPD or Corrections to detain him for deportation. Advertisement That ended over a decade ago: ICE was booted off Rikers by lefty loons in the City Council and then-Mayor Bill de Blasio. Per Homeland Security, Team Trump sent 6,000 ICE detainers to NYC — and the city ignored nearly all of them. Advertisement If the City Council wants to limit ICE's presence in New York, it should let the NYPD and Corrections communicate directly with ICE and the agency's officers return Rikers. But don't hold your breath waiting for that.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
How former teen killer William Izett's Auckland car theft led to a possible life sentence
But a return to prison, he said, was the only realistic option. 'No dignity in death' At 17 years old, Izett was the oldest of three teens who violently targeted 74-year-old Wellington resident Donald Stewart outside a toilet block in Hamilton in June 2010, resulting in his death. Their motive was to steal his 1989 Peugeot 405, which they took for a joyride before leaving it abandoned in a ditch where they had crashed it. William Izett appears in Auckland District Court on July 18 for sentencing on charges of heroin supply and possession of an AK-47-style gun, ammunition and explosive gel. Photo / Craig Kapitan Co-defendant Connor Rewha-Te Wara, who was 14 at the time, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 years after pleading guilty to murder. Izett, meanwhile, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Rewha-Te Wara had been the one who inflicted the fatal blows, Justice Patrick Keane noted when the trio appeared in the High Court at Hamilton to be sentenced together. The teens had formed a plan to steal the Peugeot after finding it with the lights on but doors locked as the driver used the facilities. When Stewart refused to hand over the keys after emerging from the toilet block, Rewha-Te Wara knocked him to the ground with a punch to the head. He was then dragged to an alleyway and suffered what the judge referred to as a 'sustained and brutal assault'. Donald Stewart buys petrol at a Hamilton Gull service station only hours before he was found dead in the central city. Photo / Supplied The judge acknowledged that Izett didn't participate in the physical attack and wouldn't have anticipated his co-defendant's level of violence. But that doesn't excuse standing by passively – neither stopping the younger teen nor helping the victim. 'You left in his car, leaving him where he lay,' the judge said. 'You afforded him no dignity in death. You stole his personal property and ultimately you were party to destroying it.' By that point, he had already had a lengthy and violent record, the court noted. Cannabis stabbing Two years after the Hamilton sentencing, while Izett was imprisoned in Dunedin, a Corrections officer said the inmate spat in his face. The officer reported the saliva going into his eyes, causing stinging. He then had to wait six months for blood test results. Izett, who had been angry because his cell was not unlocked as quickly as he wanted, pleaded guilty to assault. A decade later, in 2023, he was out of prison and living in emergency accommodation in a Hamilton motel when he was charged with wounding with intent to injure, possession of cannabis for sale and unlawful ammunition possession. Convicted killer William Izett admitted a decade later to stabbing a man at a Hamilton motel who had asked to buy his cannabis. Image / Google He was taking freshly cut cannabis plants to his room about 11am that day when the victim approached and asked if he could buy some. After telling the man to leave, Izett retrieved a hammer and knife from his car and challenged the man to a fight. The scuffle, caught on CCTV, ended with the defendant inflicting two knife wounds to the other man's torso. 'Hooked up' Five months after the stabbing guilty plea, the Ford Ranger went missing from Murrays Bay on Auckland's North Shore. However, the heist was short-lived. The vehicle had a GPS tracker, which led police to Izett's Dairy Flat home the next morning. Police found the registration plates in a wheelie bin at the property and the keys on the kitchen table. Social media messages later recovered by police suggested the vehicle, with plates that phonetically spelt 'hooked up', had been stolen as part of a scheme relating to the Mongols motorcycle gang, Judge Sharp noted. William Izett appears in Auckland District Court on July 18 for sentencing on charges of heroin supply and possession of an AK-47-style gun, ammunition and explosive gel. Photo / Craig Kapitan The heroin was found in a suitcase in the living room, divvied into snap-lock bags for distribution. The military-style, semi-automatic weapon was wrapped in sheets and a blanket nearby. In the same room, investigators found Orica Powergel, a putty-like, high-power explosive. Receiving such an expensive stolen vehicle carried a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment. But the discovery of the potent drug, found to have 76% purity, meant he faced up to life imprisonment. Judge Sharp described the heroin scheme as an independent commercial enterprise. There was no evidence that either defendant used the drug, with both instead addicted to methamphetamine – a much more common drug in New Zealand. 'Capable of change' At a jury trial earlier this year, Izett pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm and explosives, as well as receiving the stolen vehicle, but denied the heroin charge. Conversely, co-defendant Cherish-Ann Buchanan, 33, pleaded guilty to the heroin charge but denied receiving the vehicle or being in possession of the firearm. Jurors, however, found both guilty of the charges they denied. 'There's no secret that Mr Izett has stood or sat where he is sitting – he's been before the court before,' defence lawyer Kima Tuialii acknowledged at the start of the hearing this week. Police examine the scene where Donald Stewart's body was found by a street sweeper in 2010. Photo / Christine Cornege However, she emphasised her client's letter to the court and asked for a sentence that wouldn't be so crushing that he'd have trouble imagining his eventual reintegration into the community. 'He is somebody that is capable of change,' she said. Judge Sharp sentenced Izett to seven years and six months' imprisonment, while Buchanan was sentenced to four years and six months. Both sentences took into account reductions for what the judge described as backgrounds marred by 'tragic personal circumstances'. 'They involved things that should never have happened to them,' he said, declining to elaborate in open court. Izett's sentence included a three-month uplift for his significant history of prior offences. Buchanan received reductions for her previously clean record and for the hardship her imprisonment will cause for her five children. Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NY prisons' staffing woes helped drive overtime spending up to massive $445M: report
ALBANY – Understaffing in New York's beleaguered state prisons helped drive the state's massive overtime spending to the tune of $445 million — even before Gov. Kathy Hochul canned thousands more corrections officers amid an illegal strike earlier this year. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision was the worst offender across state agencies in 2024, notching a nearly 21% increase in overtime costs compared to the year prior, according to a new report from the New York comptroller's office. State agencies overall continued to ramp up overtime spending last year by an eye-watering 10%, or nearly $1.3 billion, from 2023, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's report found. The DOCCS, the state's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Mental Health together accounted for roughly two-thirds of the overtime shelled out in 2024. And that was even prior to a massive illegal strike earlier this year that saw roughly 2,000 corrections officers canned, and a massive increase in spending. The state corrections department spent $445 million on overtime in 2024, per a report from the state comptroller's office. REUTERS 'Since 2023, the Corrections workforce has decreased by over 1,000. These combined factors indicate that a smaller pool of Corrections employees are working substantially more overtime hours to meet operational demands,' DiNapoli's report reads. A spokesman for the agency said the 2024 overtime spike 'was driven by the ongoing staffing crisis and the need to maintain the safety of staff and the incarcerated, while continuing to offer mandated programs, as well as other essential activities and services within DOCCS correctional facilities.' Hochul's budget office estimates the cost of running the prisons post-strike could reach upwards of $100 million per month as the system is still suffering from being massively short-staffed. That estimate includes overtime for corrections officers as well as the cost of backfilling understaffed facilities with national guard troops and other impacts. 'It's no surprise to see this,' state Sen. George Borello (Chautauqua) told The Post. 'The dangerous conditions created by pro-criminal laws passed by Democrats in state legislature combined with inept leadership of Gov. Hochul comes and a big cost. Not just dollars but in morale and public safety,' Borello said. After the DOCCS, the agencies with the largest overtime costs last year were the state police, the Department of Transportation and the State University of New York. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's report found that the state increased overtime spending around 3.7% in 2024, at the same time the state workforce has grown. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The state's massive state workforce overall increased by about 5,300 workers in 2024 – a 3.7% growth rate from the year prior per the report. 'Overtime continued to grow in 2024 despite increases to a workforce that remains below pre-pandemic staffing levels,' DiNapoli wrote in a statement. 'New York needs to continue to attract and retain a range of diverse employees, and agencies need to ensure the use of overtime hours is justified and services are delivered safely and effectively for residents,' he said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon Just Scored 2025 Emmy Nominations!
Both Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon got some love from the 77th Emmy nominations — and so did their respective work on two Saturday Night Live anniversary specials. The NBC late night Hosts earned nominations for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series for their excellent bonus content, Corrections and During Commercial Break. When you want to see behind-the-scenes moments like Fallon and Hugh Jackman filming a promo while hanging over a human-size claw machine, Fallon's "During Commercial Break" segments are where you'll find them. And the best place to witness a FaceTime call between Meyers and Andy Samberg to confirm facts about Nicolas Cage is definitely on "Corrections." Watch Fallon's "During Commercial Break" series and Meyers' "Corrections" on their show's YouTube channels anytime. Awards won't be handed out until September 14, but Meyers has already been practicing. "I'm trying out tuxedos for the Emmys. I want to look good for my 'Corrections' acceptance speech, and the designers are lining up," he joked during the Monday, June 2 episode of Corrections, looking dapper in the black-and-white is the 4th Emmy nomination for Late Night With Seth Meyers: Corrections Ever since March 2021 when Meyers was criticized for using "Legos" as the plural for the building blocks officially known as LEGO, the Host appeased his critics by addressing their concerns on Corrections. The segment is recorded in the Late Night studio with only writers and crew as the audience, and it really offers a glimpse behind the curtain when it comes to writing and responding to late night TV jokes. "Corrections" has been nominated for every year it has been produced, and hopefully the 77th Emmy Awards ceremony will bring a win! Watch all of the episodes on YouTube. CORRECTIONS Episode 141: Week of Monday, June 23 Additionally, Meyers is among the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special nominees for February's SNL50: The Anniversary is the first Emmy nomination for The Tonight Show: During Commercial Break The cameras keep rolling after Fallon throws to a break during a show taping. And the home audience can experience the same fun as the studio audience with During Commercial Break, which mostly features Fallon palling around with Tonight Show guests, trying snacks, or reminiscing with old friends. Fallon sometimes shares fun facts about bits that didn't air, like when he revealed that Jon Hamm had hidden chips in Fallon's clothes during a music video segment. Jon Hamm Hid Chips in Jimmy's Clothes While Recreating Creed Music Video: During Commercial Break Fallon also earned a nomination for hosting SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, which was recognized for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). Congratulations to Jimmy and Seth! Both and are streaming on Peacock now. Solve the daily Crossword
RNZ News
13-07-2025
- RNZ News
Prisoner deaths in double-bunk cells puts process under scrutiny
An inmate was killed at Auckland's Mt Eden Corrections Facility on 27 June, with a 32-year-old man charged with murder. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Corrections' double-bunking processes are being examined as part of independent investigations following two suspected inmate murders in nine months. An inmate was killed at Auckland's Mt Eden Corrections Facility on 27 June. A 32-year-old man has been charged with murder. RNZ earlier revealed that both men, who were in a double-bunked cell, were known to mental health services. The victim had recently been in a mental health unit in Whangarei as part of a compulsory treatment order and was in custody after breaching bail, and the murder-accused had a history with mental health services. The killing came nine months after Andrew Chan Chui died at the prison. A 23-year-old inmate, who shared a double-bunk cell with Chan Chui, has been charged with murdering him. RNZ asked Corrections whether there were any reviews under way into the double-bunking process at Mt Eden following the two deaths. Do you know more? Email Corrections Deputy Commissioner Neil Beales said in a statement that a "range of factors" are being looked at as part of the independent Corrections Inspectorate's death in custody investigations. "This includes Corrections' double bunking processes and how they were applied in these cases. Like all serious incidents in prisons, these incidents will also inform our continuous work to regularly review and improve our processes." Corrections Deputy Commissioner Neil Beales. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Beales earlier told RNZ all deaths in custody were referred to the coroner for investigation and determination of cause of death. "We acknowledge that many people will have questions and want answers about the circumstances that preceded this person's death. The court proceedings, investigations and the coronial Inquest will form an important part of this process. "These proceedings all play a role in providing detailed, expert and impartial views of the circumstances surrounding a person's death. If there are agreed findings and recommendations in relation to our management of the victim or the accused, then we will absolutely act on these." Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RNZ earlier asked Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell whether he believed the process around double-bunking and how people were put in the same cell needed to be revisited in light of the death last month. In a statement, he said the process for double-bunking was "operational for Corrections". "With court proceedings and reviews underway, it is not appropriate to comment further." Labour's corrections spokeswoman Tracey McLellan told RNZ the man's death last month was a "terrible outcome". "I expect Corrections to do the best they can to ensure the safety of people in their custody. "I am sure the minister will be asking questions - and I will follow up to ensure the government gets to the bottom of this." The father of the man who died at Mt Eden prison last month, earlier told RNZ he wants to know how the two men came to share a cell. "If he hadn't been double bunked with this person he would still be with us. "That was the fault of Corrections. Corrections are supposed to care for people, and they had a duty of care to him, and they failed miserably on that." The woman who was harassed by the victim for about a decade agrees. She says he should have been in a secure psychiatric facility "instead of being placed in the same environment as violent offenders". The victim's father told RNZ his son was jailed in relation to breaching the conditions of a restraining order. He was eventually released and spent two weeks in a mental health facility in Whangarei before he was granted electronically-monitored bail to an apartment. He said that while at the mental health facility his son's medication was changed and he was "making good progress". However, he breached his conditions again and was arrested, spending three days in Northland Region Corrections Facility before being moved to Mt Eden. The victim's father had been told that the alleged killer had a history with mental health services. He wants to know why the two men were placed in the same cell. "It was a complete failure of the duty of care to my son." In response to questions from RNZ, a Health New Zealand spokesperson said "we acknowledge this incident". "We are unable to consider commenting on a person's medical treatment without a privacy waiver." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
