Filed Date: April 20, 1995
Closed Date: June 15, 1999
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In May of 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Forrest County, Mississippi of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In July of 1993, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the President of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors of its findings and made recommendations regarding security and supervision; medical and mental healthcare; overcrowding; personal hygiene; exercise; and access to a law library and 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 1995. Less than a month later, the district court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Judge Charles W. Pickering) 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. According to the docket on PACER, the county continued to submit status reports to the court until 1998, and in 1999 the court granted a joint motion to dismiss the case.
Summary Authors
Lauren Cutson (5/25/2005)
Maddox, William G. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Dukes, James K. (Mississippi)
Hollimon, Jeffrey T. (Mississippi)
Pickering, Charles Willis Sr. (Mississippi)
Last updated Feb. 15, 2024, 3:04 a.m.
State / Territory: Mississippi
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 20, 1995
Closing Date: June 15, 1999
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Forrest County Jail (Hattiesburg, Forrest), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
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
Order Duration: 1995 - 1999
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Type of Facility: