Case: U.S. v. Alcorn County

1:94-cv-00271 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi

Filed Date: Aug. 30, 1994

Closed Date: Feb. 8, 1999

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In May of 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Alcorn County, Mississippi of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In September of 1993, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the President of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors of its findings and made recommendations regarding security and supervision; policies and procedures; food services; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; sanitation and personal hygiene items; fire safety; exercise…

In May of 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Alcorn County, Mississippi of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In September of 1993, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the President of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors of its findings and made recommendations regarding security and supervision; policies and procedures; food services; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; sanitation and personal hygiene items; fire safety; exercise; and access to legal materials. Apparently after negotiation, the Attorney General filed an action under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. section 1997 et seq., against the jail in 1994. Shortly thereafter, the district court for the Northern District of Mississippi approved a consent decree. The consent decree laid out steps the county must take to improve issues discussed in the DOJ's letter of findings and recommendations. On February 8, 1999, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi (Judge L.T. Senter, Jr.) granted a joint motion of the parties to dismiss the case.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (6/4/2007)

People

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Goldschmidt, Iris (District of Columbia)

Moreton, Alfred E. III (District of Columbia)

Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)

Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Reno, Janet (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Documents in the Clearinghouse

1:94-cv-00271

Docket [PACER]

Feb. 8, 2000

Feb. 8, 2000

Docket

Notice Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Alcorn County Jail in Corinth Mississippi

No Court

May 3, 1993

May 3, 1993

Notice of Investigation or Suit/Demand Letter

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Alcorn County Jail in Corinth Mississippi

No Court

Oct. 8, 1993

Oct. 8, 1993

Findings Letter/Report
1

1:94-cv-00271

Complaint

Aug. 30, 1994

Aug. 30, 1994

Complaint
2

1:94-cv-00271

Consent Decree

Sept. 19, 1994

Sept. 19, 1994

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2025, 8:03 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 19, 1994

COMPLAINT for violations of inmate rights under Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons statutes (jsw) (Entered: 09/20/1994)

PACER
2 Sept. 20, 1994

CONSENT DECREE the court shall retain jurisdiction in this case to ensure that all plans and provisions are fully implemented and maintained until one year after the new jail facility i occupied and upon a finding by the court that the defendants have fully and faithfully implemented all terms of this order; if defendants do not construct a new jail, the court shall retain jurisdiction in this case until one year after the entry of this order and upon a finding by the court that the defendants have fully and faithfully implemented and maintained all terms of this order( signed by Chief Judge L. T. Senter Jr. on 9/20/94) (dlh)

PACER
Sept. 20, 1994

NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT Chief Judge L. T. Senter Jr. and Magistrate Judge Jerry A. Davis (jsw)

PACER
Sept. 20, 1994

Case closed (dlh)

PACER
3 Nov. 21, 1994

INITIAL QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendants (jsw)

PACER
4 Feb. 15, 1995

SECOND QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendants (jsw) Modified on 02/15/1995

PACER
5 May 16, 1995

THIRD QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendants (jsw)

PACER
6 Oct. 23, 1995

Fourth Quarterly Compliance Report by defendants (dlh)

PACER
7 Jan. 16, 1996

Fifth Quarterly Compliance Report by defendants (dlh)

PACER
8 July 15, 1996

Sixth Quarterly Complaince Report filed by defendants (dlh)

PACER
9 Oct. 29, 1996

Seventh Quarterly Compliance Report by defendants (dlh)

PACER
10 June 30, 1997

Quarterly Compliance Report of defendants (dlh)

PACER
11 Dec. 31, 1997

Quarterly Compliance Report of defendants (jlj)

PACER
12 Feb. 8, 1999

JOINT MOTION to Dismiss (dlh)

PACER
13 Feb. 8, 1999

ORDER granting [12-1] joint motion to Dismiss ( signed by Senior Judge L. T. Senter Jr. on 2/8/99) Date of Entry: 2/8/99 (dlh)

PACER
Feb. 8, 2000

File Sent to FRC - temp (jlj)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Mississippi

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 30, 1994

Closing Date: Feb. 8, 1999

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Alcorn County Jail

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Mississippi 1:94-cv-00271

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Findings Letter/Report

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1994 - 1999

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Fire safety

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Law library access

Recreation / Exercise

Suicide prevention (facilities)

Recommended Citation