Filed Date: Nov. 8, 1972
Clearinghouse coding complete
In 1972, a group of individuals awaiting trial who had been housed in administrative segregation at the New York City House of Detention for Men filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the New York City Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that their placement in administrative segregation violated their constitutional rights because they had been deprived of privileges accorded to the general population. Specifically, they complained of inadequate lighting, filthy windows, less time out of their cells, more time in isolation, less access to recreational equipment, no educational programs, limitation on number of personal items (like books) that they could have in their cells, greater punishment for disciplinary infractions, inability to attend religious services, more frequent searches, less access to personal visitors, and fewer library privileges.
On November 24, 1975, the court (Judge Morris E. Lasker) held that the plaintiffs were being subjected to discrimination and granted injunctive relief. The court ordered the defendants to allow plaintiffs an opportunity to contest their placement before housing them in administrative segregation. 406 F.Supp. 836 (S.D.N.Y. 1975).
As of August 10, 2022, there has been no further known activity on this case. We do not have access to the docket.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (10/8/2007)
Lily Sawyer-Kaplan (8/10/2022)
Lasker, Morris Edward (Massachusetts)
Hellerstein, William E. (New York)
Pochoda, Daniel Joseph (Arizona)
Smith, Marjorie M. (New York)
Tobias, Donald J. (New York)
Lasker, Morris Edward (Massachusetts)
Hellerstein, William E. (New York)
Pochoda, Daniel Joseph (Arizona)
Smith, Marjorie M. (New York)
Tobias, Donald J. (New York)
Last updated March 4, 2023, 3:15 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 8, 1972
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
unconvicted detainees who had been housed in administrative segregation at the New York City House of Detention for Men
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Unknown
Class Action Outcome: Unknown
Defendants
New York City Department of Corrections (New York), City
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 1975 - None
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Affected Sex or Gender:
Type of Facility: