US military planning new prison in Iraq News
US military planning new prison in Iraq

[JURIST] The US military is planning to expand the current Abu Ghraib [JURIST news archive] and Camp Bucca [Wikipedia backgrounder] detention facilities in Iraq and build a third major facility in the north of the country to accommodate a growing number of Iraqi prisoners. Military officials say the existing prisons – now holding over 10,000 detainees – are nearing their maximum "surge" capacities with no decrease in the number of new prisoners expected. Expansion and a new facility for 2,000 could allow the US to hold as many as 16,000 detainees. Both Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca have been scenes of repeated riots and escape attempts [JURIST report] and the notoriously hot summer in Iraq plus a likely rise in violence as the constitution drafting and ratification process continues through the summer and early fall are only expected to increase intake and problems with inmates. The Los Angeles Times has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US Supreme Court ruled Indians not US citizens

On November 3, 1884, the US Supreme Court ruled in Elk v. Wilkins that John Elk, an American Indian who had tried to vote in a federal election in Omaha, Nebraska, was not a US citizen entitled to the protection of the 14th and 15th Amendments of the US Constitution. Native Americans became eligible for citizenship in 1887 under the Dawes Act, but only in 1924, under the Indian Citizenship Act, were all Native Americans born in the US made citizens.

Last public execution at Tyburn Gallows in London

On November 3, 1783, the last public execution took place at Tyburn Gallows in London, when John Austin was hanged for highway robbery. From the hanging of William Fitz Osburn in 1196 until Austin's execution, Tyburn served as London's primary location for public executions.

Learn more about the trial of John Austin.