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In 2009, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (“DOJ”) opened this investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Escambia County Jail, a jail in Pensacola, Florida, that housed approximately 1300 prisoners as of May 2013. The investigation sought to explore: practices relating to the level of security; the adequacy of medical and mental health services; sanitation and environmental conditions. The investigation was undertaken pursuant to DOJ's authority under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
At the same time as this investigation, DOJ also investigated ESCO's policing practices.
After some years of investigation, which included multiple tours of the facility by DOJ lawyers and expert consultants, the DOJ sent a Findings Letter on May 22, 2013, to the Escambia County Administrator and Escambia County Sheriff. The Findings Letter stated that DOJ had found the conditions at the facility were routinely violating the constitutional rights of prisoners. Specifically, the Findings Letter stated that: (1) Escambia County Jail has ignored obvious and serious security risks to prisoner safety; (2) The Jail’s use of black-only pods impermissibly discriminated against African-Americans; and (3) Escambia County Jail has ignored obvious and serious risks to prisoners’ mental health. The Findings Letter included proposed remedial measures. It also commended the Escambia County Jail for cooperating during the investigation and implementing improvements responsive to DOJ’s concerns (for example, the Jail agreeing to cease using black-only pods). The Letter expressed the DOJ’s intention to continue working with the Jail in a cooperative fashion going forward.
According to the DOJ's annual report to Congress, the investigation was closed in 2014 after an apparent natural gas explosion destroyed a significant part of the Jail.
Summary Authors
Chris Pollack (2/21/2019)
Jonah Hudson-Erdman (9/5/2021)
DOJ Investigation of Escambia County Sheriff's Office, No Court (None)
Austin, Roy L. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:45 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Florida
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: 2014
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Escambia County (Escambia), County
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Incident/accident reporting & investigations
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health Care:
Policing: