Filed Date: Sept. 24, 1979
Closed Date: March 2, 1993
Clearinghouse coding complete
In September 1979, prisoners in the Sacramento County jail system filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Sacramento County. The plaintiffs, represented by the Federal Defender, alleged that the County was denying their constitutional rights through overcrowding, lack of adequate fire safety and other safety precautions, and lack of adequate medical services and program opportunities.
The parties reached a settlement and the District Court approved it, issuing a consent decree on September 18, 1981. The decree required the County to: (1) reduce the overcrowding in the main jail to a maximum population of 479 by December 31, 1983; (2) eliminate the fire hazards and other dangers in the main jail by September 17, 1982 or sooner; (3) provide adequate medical facilities and program space in the main jail and Annex to comply with California minimum jail standards by September 17, 1982 or sooner; and (4) construct a new main jail to replace the existing main jail as soon as financially possible. The court retained jurisdiction in the case and required the County to submit quarterly progress reports.
In 1985, the population cap was modified to allow a maximum of 681 prisoners in the main jail. As of the time of this writing, we have no further information on this case.
Summary Authors
Christopher Schad (8/16/2012)
Hollows, Gregory G. (California)
Huff, Richard L. (California)
Last updated April 24, 2024, 3:02 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
California Jail Population Caps
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 24, 1979
Closing Date: March 2, 1993
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
prisoners in the Sacramento County jail system
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
County of Sacramento (Sacramento), County
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Order Duration: 1981 - None
Issues
General/Misc.:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Crowding: Pre-PLRA Population Cap
Medical/Mental Health Care: