Case: Hill v. Pulaski County

4:79-cv-00465 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Filed Date: Oct. 25, 1979

Closed Date: 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On October 25, 1979, inmates of the Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenging the conditions of that facility. In 1985, the parties entered into a consent decree that established population limits for the jail and required the sheriff of Pulaski County to notify the Court if anyone attempted to contravene the agreement.  On November 10, 1988, the sheriff filed notice wi…

On October 25, 1979, inmates of the Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas challenging the conditions of that facility. In 1985, the parties entered into a consent decree that established population limits for the jail and required the sheriff of Pulaski County to notify the Court if anyone attempted to contravene the agreement. 

On November 10, 1988, the sheriff filed notice with the District Court alleging that a state court judge had issued contempt orders when the sheriff refused to accept prisoners in contravention of the agreement. The District Court then reopened the 1985 decree for the limited purposes of dealing with compliance problems and joined the state court judge as a third party defendant for injunctive purposes. The judge then filed for a writ of prohibition in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, to prevent the District Court from joining him as a party for injunctive relief. The Eighth Circuit (Judge Donald Pomery Lay) denied the writ, finding no extraordinary circumstances to warrant the grant. Lofton v. U.S. Dist. Court for E.D. of Arkansas, 882 F.2d 300 (8th Cir. 1989). In November of 1989, the District Court (Judge George Howard Jr.) granted a motion to modify the consent decree for a temporary period, but the docket does not specify the conditions thereof. Procedural activity continued with respect to jurisdiction of the court, substitution of counsel, etc. and the case was terminated in June of 2000.

 

Summary Authors

Rebecca Bloch (3/22/2006)

People


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

4:79-cv-00465

Docket (PACER)

June 13, 2000

June 13, 2000

Docket

89-01442

Reported Opinion

Lofton v. U.S.District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Aug. 2, 1989

Aug. 2, 1989

Order/Opinion

882 F.2d 300

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2025, 8:03 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1049 Sept. 18, 1989

MOTION by Louie Caudell and City of Little Rock to expedite hearing (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1050 Sept. 18, 1989

BRIEF by Louie Caudell and City of Little Rock in support of motion to expedite hearing [1049-1] (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1051 Sept. 18, 1989

MOTION by Louie Caudell and City of Little Rock for preliminary injunction (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1052 Sept. 21, 1989

Response by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas to motion to expedite hearing [1049-1] (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1053 Sept. 21, 1989

Response by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas to motion for preliminary injunction [1051-1] (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1054 Sept. 21, 1989

BRIEF by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas in support of motion response [1053-1] (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 09/22/1989)

PACER
1055 Oct. 2, 1989

Response by plaintiff to motion to expedite hearing [1049-1], motion for preliminary injunction [1051-1] (plm) (Entered: 10/03/1989)

PACER
1056 Oct. 5, 1989

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. denying motion to expedite hearing [1049-1]resetting the merged hearing for motion for preliminary injunction [1051-1] to 9:30 10/12/89 (cc: all counsel) (plm) (Entered: 10/07/1989)

PACER
1057 Oct. 10, 1989

MOTION by plaintiffs and defendant Pulaski County to modify the consent decree (plm) Modified on 10/30/1992 (Entered: 10/10/1989)

PACER
1058 Oct. 10, 1989

BRIEF by plaintiffs and defendant Pulaski County in support of motion to modify the consent decree [1057-1] (plm) (Entered: 10/10/1989)

PACER
1059 Oct. 12, 1989

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. ; Prel/perm injunction hearing is rescheduled for 9:30 11/3/89 (cc: all counsel) (plm) (Entered: 10/13/1989)

PACER
1060 Oct. 18, 1989

MOTION by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas to substitute attorney Larry Vaught in place of Robert K. Jackson & Stephen L. Curry (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 10/19/1989)

PACER
1061 Oct. 19, 1989

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to substitute attorney Larry Vaught in place of Robert K. Jackson & Stephen L. Curry [1060-1] (cc: all counsel) (plm) (Entered: 10/19/1989)

PACER
1062 Oct. 25, 1989

FORMAL Response by defendant Little Rock, City of to motion to modify the consent decree [1057-1] (plm) (Entered: 10/27/1989)

PACER
1063 Oct. 30, 1989

Reply by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas to response to motion to modify the consent decree [1057-1] (plm) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 11/01/1989)

PACER
1064 Nov. 3, 1989

CLERK'S MINUTES:hearing held on joint motion to modify consent decree. Court took under advisement. (former empl) (Entered: 11/03/1989)

PACER
1065 Nov. 6, 1989

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to modify the consent decree for a period of 90 days upon the conditions stated in this order. In all other respects, the consent decree of 4-8-85 is in full force & effect. [1057-1] (cc: all counsel) (plm) (Entered: 11/07/1989)

PACER
1066 Feb. 5, 1990

Notice by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas of filing report on progress towards new jail (former empl) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 02/05/1990)

PACER
1067 Feb. 5, 1990

Notice by defendants and plaintiffs of filing report on double bunking (former empl) Modified on 09/03/1996 (Entered: 02/05/1990)

PACER
1068 March 16, 1990

Notice by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas of filing of second report on progress towards the new jail. (plm) (Entered: 03/16/1990)

PACER
1069 March 16, 1990

SECOND joint report of plaintiffs & defendant Pulaski County on double bunking. (plm) (Entered: 03/16/1990)

PACER
1070 April 3, 1990

MOTION by plaintiff Chris Hall & Larry Farlow in case LR-C-90-8 to consolidate cases (plm) (Entered: 04/04/1990)

PACER
1071 April 4, 1990

Response by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas to motion to consolidate cases [1070-1] (former empl) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 04/04/1990)

PACER
1072 April 4, 1990

BRIEF by defendant Pulaski County Arkansas in support of motion response [1071-1] (former empl) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 04/04/1990)

PACER
1073 April 6, 1990

Response by plaintiff to motion to consolidate cases [1070-1] (plm) (Entered: 04/09/1990)

PACER
1074 April 9, 1990

Response by defendant Little Rock, City of to motion to consolidate cases [1070-1] (plm) (Entered: 04/09/1990)

PACER
1075 April 20, 1990

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. denying motion to consolidate cases [1070-1] Clerk is directed to file a copy of this order in Hall to reflect that the 2-7-90 mot filed there is denied as moot. (cc: all counsel) (plm) (Entered: 04/23/1990)

PACER
1076 May 15, 1990

THIRD joint report of pltfs and deft Pulaski County on double bunking. (plm) (Entered: 05/15/1990)

PACER
1077 May 24, 1990

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. pursuant to the status reports filed by the parties, double bunking in A pod will continue for an additional 6 months, with reports from the pltfs & deft every 90 days (cc: all counsel) (EOD 5/24/90) (bfw) (Entered: 05/24/1990)

PACER
1078 Aug. 27, 1990

Notice by plaintiffs and defendants of filing fourth joint report on double bunking (former empl) Modified on 09/18/1992 (Entered: 08/28/1990)

PACER
1079 April 10, 1991

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. parties directed to file status report on double bunking and progress on new jail w/i 15 days of this order. (cc: all counsel) (maj) (Entered: 04/11/1991)

PACER
1080 April 16, 1991

JOINT status report by plaintiffs and defendant Pulaski County on double bunking and progress toward new jail. (former empl) (Entered: 04/17/1991)

PACER
1081 April 17, 1991

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. authorizing double bunking in " A Pod" of the Pulaski County Jail for an additional year, with joint reports due every 6 months. (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 04/18/1991)

PACER
1082 May 30, 1991

CLERK'S MINUTES: taking under advisement on 9/21/89 motion for preliminary injunction [1051-1] (plm) (Entered: 05/30/1991)

PACER
1083 June 21, 1991

MOTION by third-party defendant Little Rock, City of to substitute attorney Thomas M. Carpenter in place of Mark A. Stodola; (former empl) (Entered: 06/24/1991)

PACER
1084 June 21, 1991

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to substitute attorney Thomas M. Carpenter in place of Mark A. Stodola [1083-1]; withdrawing attorney Mark A. Stodola for Little Rock, City of and substituting Thomas M. Carpenter (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 06/24/1991)

PACER
1085 Feb. 10, 1992

ORDER (DOC) administratively terminating case; upon motion of parties case will be opened for final disposition (cc: all counsel) (EOD 02/10/92) (former empl) (Entered: 02/10/1992)

PACER
1086 Aug. 7, 1992

TRANSCRIPT (1 volume) of proceedings before the Honorable George Howard, Jr. for the following date: 11/03/89 (former empl) (Entered: 08/11/1992)

PACER
1087 March 1, 1993

MOTION by movant Carroll Gravett for protective order (bsm) (Entered: 03/08/1993)

PACER
1088 March 5, 1993

RESPONSE by defendant Pulaski County AR to motion for protective order [1087-1] (bsm) (Entered: 03/08/1993)

PACER
1088 March 8, 1993

MOTION by defendant Pulaski County AR to dismiss (bsm) (Entered: 03/08/1993)

PACER
1089 March 16, 1993

RESPONSE by counsel for plaintiffs to motion for protective order [1087-1] (bfw) (Entered: 03/17/1993)

PACER
1090 March 19, 1993

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. dismissed as moot the motion for protective order [1087-1]; granting motion to dismiss [1088-1] (cc: all counsel) (bmt) (Entered: 03/22/1993)

PACER
1091 March 30, 1994

Notice to the Court and MOTION by defendant Pulaski County AR for hearing (former empl) (Entered: 04/01/1994)

PACER
1093 April 20, 1994

Report to the Court re housing, room and board of juveniles by defendants Little Rock, City of and Pulaski County AR (jap) (Entered: 04/21/1994)

PACER
1094 April 20, 1994

Joint Report to the Court re housing of juveniles at NLR facility (jap) (Entered: 04/21/1994)

PACER
Sept. 7, 1994

CLERK'S MINUTES: hearing held in chambers regarding the Pulaski County Jail. Parties are to file briefs regarding the jurisdiction issue. Plaintiff is to file their brief within 7 days, defendants will have 7 days to respond, and the plaintiff will have 3 days for a reply. (plm) (Entered: 09/12/1994)

PACER
1095 Sept. 20, 1994

WRITTEN STATUS REPORT by plaintiffs Sam Moore, Billy Hill, Antonio Harriott & Donnie Coleman (former empl) (Entered: 09/21/1994)

PACER
1096 Nov. 1, 1994

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. directing counsel to compare the facts in this case with the Camden case and to file supplemental briefs on the issues of continuing jurisdiction; oral argument scheduled for 1:30 on 1/27/95; Briefs due 12/5/94; the court is appointing Darrell Brown & Marva Davis to assist plaintiffs' counsel with this task (cc: all counsel) (EOD 11/01/94) (former empl) (Entered: 11/01/1994)

PACER
1097 Dec. 5, 1994

BRIEF filed by defendant Pulaski County AR pursuant to the Court's Order of 11/01/94, regarding authority for continuing jurisdiction (former empl) (Entered: 12/06/1994)

PACER
1098 Dec. 6, 1994

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. reminding counsel that reports to the court should be in pleading form pursuant to FRCP 7(b) (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 12/07/1994)

PACER
1099 Dec. 16, 1994

STATUS REPORT by plaintiffs regarding Court's continuing jurisdiction (former empl) (Entered: 12/19/1994)

PACER
1100 Dec. 16, 1994

STATUS REPORT by plaintiffs & defendant Pulaski County AR regarding continuing jurisdiction (former empl) (Entered: 12/20/1994)

PACER
1101 Jan. 17, 1995

MOTION by defendants Little Rock, City of and Louie C. Caudell to dismiss (former empl) (Entered: 01/18/1995)

PACER
1102 Jan. 17, 1995

BRIEF by defendants Little Rock, City of and Louie C. Caudell in support of motion to dismiss [1101-1] (former empl) (Entered: 01/18/1995)

PACER
1103 Jan. 24, 1995

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr.; that the hrg scheduled for 1/27/95 is cancelled and counsel are directed to submit a joint status report by 1/27/95 (cc: all counsel) (jap) (Entered: 01/25/1995)

PACER
1105 Jan. 27, 1995

AFFIDAVIT of Lowell G. Kincaid regarding report to the Court [1104-1] (former empl) (Entered: 01/31/1995)

PACER
1106 March 3, 1995

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to dismiss [1101- 1]; terminating party Little Rock, City of (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 03/06/1995)

PACER
1107 March 9, 1995

MOTION by defendant Pulaski County AR to substitute attorney Pamela D. Walker & Nelwyn Davis in place of Larry Vaught (former empl) (Entered: 03/10/1995)

PACER
1108 March 24, 1995

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to substitute attorney Pamela D. Walker & Nelwyn Davis in place of Larry Vaught for defendant Pulaski County [1107-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 03/24/95) (former empl) (Entered: 03/24/1995)

PACER
1109 March 28, 1995

NOTICE by defendant Pulaski County AR of filing report to the Court on conditions in the new Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (former empl) (Entered: 03/29/1995)

PACER
1110 April 17, 1995

NOTICE by defendant Pulaski County AR of filing updated report to the court (former empl) (Entered: 04/18/1995)

PACER
1111 May 2, 1995

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. making attached documents a part of the record (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 05/03/1995)

PACER
1112 May 10, 1995

NOTICE by plaintiffs of filing report to the court (former empl) (Entered: 05/11/1995)

PACER
1113 Sept. 2, 1998

MOTION by defendant Pulaski County AR to substitute attorneys Amanda Mankin & Karla Burnett in place of Nelwyn L. Davis & Pamela D. Walker (former empl) (Entered: 09/02/1998)

PACER
1114 Sept. 2, 1998

STIPULATION by plaintiffs and defendant Pulaski County AR (former empl) (Entered: 09/03/1998)

PACER
1115 Sept. 3, 1998

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion to substitute attorneys Amanda Mankin & Karla Burnett in place of Nelwyn L. Davis & Pamela D. Walker [1113-1] (cc: all counsel) (former empl) (Entered: 09/04/1998)

PACER
1116 June 9, 2000

MOTION by plaintiffs and defendants for final disposition of case lej) (Entered: 06/12/2000)

PACER
1117 June 13, 2000

ORDER by Judge George Howard Jr. granting motion for final disposition of case [1116-1]; the Court enters its final order of dismissal, hereby closing this case to any future litigation (cc: counsel) lej) (Entered: 06/14/2000)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Arkansas

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 25, 1979

Closing Date: 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

inmates of the Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

County

Pulaski County Jail

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Due Process

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Arkansas 4:79-cv-00465

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 89-01442

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

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: 1985 - 2000

Issues

General/Misc.:

Conditions of confinement

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding (General)

Recommended Citation