Case: Outlaw v. D’Elia

On July 17, 1975, the plaintiffs––persons incarcerated at the Adolescent Reception and Detention Center (ARDC)––filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the City of New York, its Department of Corrections, and relevant officials at the facility. Alleging a pattern or practice of constitutional violations, the plaintiffs sought to represent a class of similarly situated individuals and requested declaratory and injunctive relief. The case was assigned to Judge Gerard L. Goettel.

Much of the case is unknown to the Clearinghouse, but the parties reached a settlement agreement on September 26, 1978. The settlement formalized investigation procedures following any incidents at the ARDC, laid out a recordkeeping system as to correctional officers, and established a grievance procedure for incarcerated persons. Moreover, the agreement set forth guidelines for staff discipline, attorney access, and language accommodations.