Filed Date: Feb. 3, 1977
Closed Date: 1981
Clearinghouse coding complete
On February 3, 1977, inmates at the Acadia Parish Prison filed a class action lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana to challenge their conditions of confinement. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to redress the alleged deprivation of their civil rights.
Shortly after the filing of the complaint, the District Court (Judge W. Eugene Davis) entered an order directing the defendants to allow the inmates free access to their attorney. Following a status conference, the District Court ordered that a detailed inspection of the jail be conducted and directed the defendants to furnish a copy of inspection report to the Court. Similar orders followed, directing the defendants to conduct studies regarding various conditions of confinement. Rulings on substantive motions filed by the parties were deferred by the Court.
During the course of the litigation, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in the action as a party plaintiff.
Following settlement negotiations, the parties agreed to a Consent Decree to resolve the disputed issues. The Decree was approved and entered by the District Court on August 21, 1980. It called for changes and improvements to the Acadia Parish Prison in the following areas: physical facilities, inmate classification, health care, sanitation, mail, food service, access to the courts, exercise, visitation, overcrowding, discipline, security, work release and racial discrimination. The District Court retained jurisdiction to monitor the implementation of the Consent Decree provisions.
The last docket entry is for December 1, 1981, reflecting that the defendant filed a supplemental status report with the Court. We have no further information.
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (2/9/2007)
Davis, W. Eugene (Louisiana)
Allen, Frances O. (Louisiana)
Berg, Richard (District of Columbia)
Bronstein, Alvin J. (District of Columbia)
Cook, David (Louisiana)
Last updated April 15, 2024, 3:20 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Louisiana
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 3, 1977
Closing Date: 1981
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Inmates confined in the Acadia Parish Prison, Lafayette, LA.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Acadia Parish Prison (Acadia), County
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1980 - None
Issues
General/Misc.:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Discrimination Basis:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health Care: