Case: Harris v. Georgia Department of Corrections

5:18-cv-00365 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

Filed Date: Oct. 3, 2018

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about the alleged denial of effective communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals incarcerated in Georgia. On October 3, 2018, incarcerated individuals who were deaf and hard of hearing filed a collective class action lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU, National Association of the Deaf, and a private law firm, claimed that defendants denied them effecti…

This is a case about the alleged denial of effective communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals incarcerated in Georgia. On October 3, 2018, incarcerated individuals who were deaf and hard of hearing filed a collective class action lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU, National Association of the Deaf, and a private law firm, claimed that defendants denied them effective communication access, hindering their mental and physical health while potentially punishing them for failing to follow instructions that are only conveyed orally, lengthening their sentences. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This case was presided over by Judge Tilman E. Self III. Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief, declaratory relief, attorneys' fees, and costs. 

On October 4, 2019, plaintiffs filed a motion to certify class consisting of "all present and future deaf and hard of hearing individuals in GDC custody and/or subject to GBOP authority, who require hearing-related accommodations and services—including but not limited to interpreters, hearing devices, other auxiliary aids or services, or reasonable modifications—to communicate effectively and/or to access or participate in programs, services, or activities available to individuals in GDC custody and subject to GBOP authority". Defendants opposed class certification, arguing that plaintiffs did not have standing, and even if they did have standing, class certification should be denied as it was "overly broad and not reasonably ascertainable". On December 29, 2021, the court granted the plaintiffs' motion for class certification, reasoning that plaintiffs' met the criteria for class certification. 

On July 28, 2022 plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, removing certain members of the certified class who either no longer wished to be a part of the litigation or who had passed away. Plaintiffs also filed an unopposed motion to substitute a class representative due to those aforementioned reasons. 

On September 25, 2023, plaintiffs filed a motion for partial summary judgment with respects to portions of counts I, II, and III of the amended complaint, seeking permanent injunctive relief. Plaintiffs argued that defendants were in violation of the ADA, Section 504, and the Eighth Amendment as they failed to identify and support deaf or hard of hearing inmates, and they did not provide effective communication in group settings, medical/mental health care, and with telecommunications. Additionally, plaintiffs argued that defendants had an unreasonable handcuffing policy for sign language users, they were deliberately indifferent to inmates' hearing aid needs, and they failed to provide accessible information to new inmates.

On November 11, 2023, the defendant filed a memorandum of law in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment, arguing that the motion should be denied. They claimed that they were not required to provide disabled individuals with equal access to a public entity's programs, services, and activities but rather meaningful access, which they claimed to have done. Additionally, they argued that they did not violate the ADA as they reasonably accommodated and did not discriminate against disabled individuals. Furthermore, defendants argue that plaintiffs' motion failed as to the eighth amendment claim as there were issues of material fact as to whether class members experienced a "serious medical need" for Eighth Amendment purposes. Lastly, the defendant argued that the ADA imposed no affirmative obligation to "identify and assess" disable offenders and class members had been routinely accommodated. 

As of April 5, 2025, the plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment is pending. The case is ongoing. 

 

Summary Authors

Renuka Wagh (4/4/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/15043584/parties/harris-v-georgia-department-of-corrections/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

ANSLEY, WILLIAM SUTTON (Georgia)

BRENNAN-KROHN, ZOE (Georgia)

CENTER, CLAUDIA (Georgia)

Attorney for Defendant

CHISM, DANIEL JAMES (Georgia)

CORREIA, CRISTINA M (Georgia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

5:18-cv-00365

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Oct. 3, 2018

Oct. 3, 2018

Complaint
136

5:18-cv-00365

Plaintiffs' Unopposed Motion to Substitute a Class Representative

July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
182

5:18-cv-00365

Plaintiffs' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

Sept. 25, 2023

Sept. 25, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/15043584/harris-v-georgia-department-of-corrections/

Last updated Jan. 25, 2026, 11:49 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
231

SURREPLY filed by TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, TIMOTHY C. WARD re 182 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment (LUNSFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 02/13/2024)

Feb. 13, 2024

Feb. 13, 2024

232

SEALED DOCUMENT Re: 231 SURREPLY filed by TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, TIMOTHY C. WARD re 182 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment (sst) (Entered: 02/14/2024)

Feb. 14, 2024

Feb. 14, 2024

233

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Status Conference held on 2/15/2024 Time in Court: 25 minutes. (vs) (Entered: 02/20/2024)

Feb. 15, 2024

Feb. 15, 2024

234

Text Only MINUTE ORDER: The parties must appear on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 9:30 a.m., in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 03/04/2024. (ans) Modified on 3/4/2024 to add Text Only in front of docket text (ans). (Entered: 03/04/2024)

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

Order

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

235

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Andrew Toler, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, CoryIssacson, Lauren Fairman, Ralph Miller, and Michelle Fraling are allowed tobring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equipment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 4/15/2024. (vs) (Entered: 04/15/2024)

April 15, 2024

April 15, 2024

RECAP
236

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 4/17/2024 Time in Court: 9:30am - 5:00pm. (vs) (Entered: 04/19/2024)

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024

237

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 4/18/2024 Time in Court: 9:35am - 4:45pm. (vs) (Entered: 04/19/2024)

April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

238

ORDER allowing Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis,Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equipment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 and Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the electronicequipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 5/17/2024. (vs) (Entered: 05/17/2024)

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

RECAP
239

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 5/22/2024/Day 1. Time in Court: 9:30am - 4:20pm. (vs) Modified on 5/28/2024 to edit docket text (vs). (Entered: 05/28/2024)

May 28, 2024

May 28, 2024

240

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 5/23/2024/Day 2. Time in Court: 9:30am - 4:10pm. (vs) (Entered: 05/28/2024)

May 28, 2024

May 28, 2024

241

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, H ailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equipment/printers/ tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, June 17, 2024 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 6/13/2024. (vs)

June 13, 2024

June 13, 2024

RECAP
242

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 6/17/2024. Time in Court: 9:35am - 5:35pm. (vs) (Entered: 06/24/2024)

June 17, 2024

June 17, 2024

243

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 6/18/2024. The parties participated in a settlement conference. The parties will reconvene on July 9 and 10. Time in Court: 9:30am - 1:10pm. (vs) (Entered: 06/24/2024)

June 18, 2024

June 18, 2024

244

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, SaminMossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn,Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, CoryIssacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones andcomputers/laptops/CART operating equipment /printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20thFloor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W.,Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE TILMAN E SELF, III on 7/5/2024. (vs)

July 5, 2024

July 5, 2024

RECAP
246

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 7/9/2024. Time in Court: 8 hours. (vs) (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 9, 2024

July 9, 2024

245

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 7/10/2024 Time in Court: 4 hours and 10 minutes. (vs) (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 10, 2024

July 10, 2024

247

NOTICE of Withdrawal as Attorney by TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES filed by ANNE ADAMS HILL.(HILL, ANNE) Modified on 7/12/2024 - Document construed as a "notice" and not a "motion" - wording changed to reflect "notice". (tlp). (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024

Notice of Deficiency to Attorney Anne Adams Hill : The wrong event was selected when filing 247 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney filed by TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. The correct event is "Notice of Attorney Withdrawal" see MDGA Local Rule 83.1.4. Please do not re-file. Motion has been construed as a notice; entry has been corrected by case manager to reflect it is a "notice" and not a "motion" and Attorney Hill has been terminated. (tlp)

July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

248

NOTICE of Attorney Withdrawal by TINA M PIPER on behalf of TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, TIMOTHY C WARD(PIPER, TINA) (Entered: 07/31/2024)

July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024

249

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20thFloor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, Augus t 15, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 8/9/2024. (vs) Modified on 8/12/2024 (tlp) to indicate Judge BLY entered Order.

Aug. 9, 2024

Aug. 9, 2024

RECAP
250

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 8/14/2024. Time in Court: 9:30am - 4:00pm. (vs) (Entered: 08/16/2024)

Aug. 14, 2024

Aug. 14, 2024

251

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 8/15/2024. Time in Court: 9:30am - 3:20pm. (vs) (Entered: 08/16/2024)

Aug. 15, 2024

Aug. 15, 2024

252

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20thFloor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, Sep tember 5, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE TILMAN E SELF, III on 8/23/2024. (vs)

Aug. 23, 2024

Aug. 23, 2024

RECAP
253

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 9/4/2024. Time in Court: 9:30AM - 5:10PM. (vs) (Entered: 09/09/2024)

Sept. 4, 2024

Sept. 4, 2024

254

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 9/5/2024. Time in Court: 9:00AM - 2:50PM. (vs) (Entered: 09/09/2024)

Sept. 5, 2024

Sept. 5, 2024

255

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Michelle Wolf, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossav i, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equ ipment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 9/20/2024. (vs)

Sept. 20, 2024

Sept. 20, 2024

RECAP
256

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 9/25/2024. The parties will reconvene on September 26 at 9:00. Time in Court: 9:00am - 5:10pm. (vs) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 25, 2024

Sept. 25, 2024

257

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 9/26/2024. The parties will reconvene on October 15 at 9:00. Time in Court: 9:00am - 3:30pm. (vs) (Entered: 09/30/2024)

Sept. 26, 2024

Sept. 26, 2024

258

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20thFloor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 and Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE TILMAN E SELF, III on 10/8/2024. (vs)

Oct. 8, 2024

Oct. 8, 2024

RECAP
259

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 10/15/2024. Time in Court: 8 hours. (vs) (Entered: 10/25/2024)

Oct. 15, 2024

Oct. 15, 2024

260

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 10/16/2024. Time in Court: 7 hours and 40 minutes. (vs) (Entered: 10/25/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

261

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20thFloor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 7, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 10/25/2024. (vs)

Oct. 25, 2024

Oct. 25, 2024

RECAP
262

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 4/28/2025. (vs)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

RECAP
263

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before CHRISTOPHER C BLY: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 5/8/2025. The parties participated in a settlement conference. The parties will reconvene on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 9:30am. Time in Court: 9:15am - 2:40pm. (vs) (Entered: 05/08/2025)

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

264

ORDER that Bill Lunsford, Matt Reeves, Anne Hill, Randy Robert, Tina Piper, Cristina Correia, Andrea Smith, Kristi Simpson, Aaron Curtis, Giana SanGiovanni, Wes Resendes, Heidi Thomas, Andrew Toler, Samin Mossavi, Anne Leahy, Hailey Andress, Jennifer Ammons, Zoe Brennan-Krohn, Brian Liegel, Aaron Curtis, Andres Lopez-Delgado, Brittany Shrader, Cory Issacson, and Michelle Fraling are allowed to bring their cell phones and computers/laptops/CART operating equip ment/printers/tablets into the courthouse for the settlement conference in this case in Courtroom 2008, 20th Floor, United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. In addition to the electronic equipment listed above, Hailey Andress is permitted to bring her service dog into the courtroom for both days of the settlement conference. Ordered by CHRISTOPHER C BLY on 5/8/2025. (vs)

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

RECAP
265

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before Judge Christopher C. Bly: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 6/16/2025 Time in Court: 9:30am - 5:30pm. (vs) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

266

Minute Entry (content for administrative purposes only) for proceedings held before Christopher C. Bly: Settlement Conference/Mediation held on 6/17/2025 Time in Court: 9:30am - 5:15pm. (vs) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

June 17, 2025

June 17, 2025

267

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by ANDREW FRANK DEARING on behalf of TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES Attorney ANDREW FRANK DEARING added to party TERRY BARNARD(pty:dft), Attorney ANDREW FRANK DEARING added to party GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS(pty:dft), Attorney ANDREW FRANK DEARING added to party GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES(pty:dft)(DEARING, ANDREW) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

268

NOTICE to Withdraw as Attorney by TERRY BARNARD, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES filed by ANDREW THOMAS TOLER.(TOLER, ANDREW) Modified on 11/10/2025 by Case Administrator to terminate motion and event. (rka). (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

269

PETITION TO THE CLERK FOR ADMISSION TO PLEAD AND PRACTICE PRO HAC VICE on behalf of GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES Attorney Admission Fee (Pro Hac Vice) paid by Receipt # AGAMDC-5101137, $100. LOCAL COUNSEL Name and Georgia Bar #: 909166. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing Certificate of Good Standing)(CHISM, DANIEL) (Entered: 11/10/2025)

Nov. 10, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025

270

Order granting Petition for Admission Pro Hac Vice (Petition Attached); Attorney Admission Fee Met by DANIEL JAMES CHISM. Pursuant to Local Rule 83.1.2(C)(1) local counsel must be associated. Chambers will be notified if local counsel has not entered an appearance in this case within seven (7) days. (aen) (Entered: 11/12/2025)

Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Georgia

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 3, 2018

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are a class of deaf and hard of hearing individuals who are incarcerated in the Georgia Department of Corrections' prisons who have been denied effective communication access.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

ACLU National (all projects)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Georgia Department of Corrections, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Due Process

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Georgia 5:18-cv-00365

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Hearing impairment