Case: Collins v. Schoonfield

In 1971, eight pre-trial detainees filed a complaint against the Wardens of Baltimore City Jail and members of the Board of the jail. All plaintiffs sought equitable relief and all but one sought damages as well. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Judge Frank Kaufman) granted class certification and separated the equitable issues from the issues as to damages. The court addressed eleven equitable issues, including solitary confinement procedures, punishment for constitutionally protected behavior, procedural due process, mail censorship, medical conditions, food, non-legal visitation and phone calls, practices adversely affecting trial preparation and effective representation by counsel, books, religious freedom, and equal protection. In 1972, the court issued interim decrees, ordering defendants to abate their unconstitutional practices in accordance with the court's findings regarding the eleven issues. Collins v. Schoonfield, 344 F. Supp 257 (D. Md. 1972).

At a separate trial in 1972 a different judge (Judge Alexander Harvey II) heard the issues regarding damages. Five plaintiffs complained that their time in solitary confinement constituted excessive and cruel and unusual punishment and violated their due process rights. The court found in favor of the defendants on all issues. Collins v. Schoonfield, 363 F. Supp. 1152 (D. Md. 1973).

In April 1981, this case was consolidated with Duvall v. Glendening. Subsequent history is described at that link.