Case: Guerrero v. Bordallo

0690-24 | Guam state trial court

Filed Date: Dec. 12, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about cruel and inhumane conditions at a detention facility in Guam. On December 13, 2024, a pre-trial detainee in Guam’s Department of Corrections Hagatna Detention Facility, filed this lawsuit in the Superior Court of Guam.  Plaintiff brought this suit against the Director of Guam Department of Corrections (DOC) under the 8th Amendment seeking a writ of habeas corpus for himself, class certification for other pre-trial detainees at Hagatna Detention Facility, an order declaring…

This is a case about cruel and inhumane conditions at a detention facility in Guam.

On December 13, 2024, a pre-trial detainee in Guam’s Department of Corrections Hagatna Detention Facility, filed this lawsuit in the Superior Court of Guam.  Plaintiff brought this suit against the Director of Guam Department of Corrections (DOC) under the 8th Amendment seeking a writ of habeas corpus for himself, class certification for other pre-trial detainees at Hagatna Detention Facility, an order declaring Guam DOC’s actions violate the 8th Amendment, injunctive relief to enjoin the DOC from continuing to illegal practices in their facilities, and attorneys fees. Plaintiff claimed that DOC officials at Hagatna Detention Facility violated the Organic Act of Guam, 48 U.S.C. 1421b(h), by housing him and other pre-trial detainees in a facility with no air conditioning, no lights, lack of water, lack of hygiene products, lack of bedding, and that the cells are overcrowded with five detainees confined to a cell designed for two people.

As of February 2025, the case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Tucker Gribble (2/3/2025)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Guam

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 12, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Pre-trial detainee

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

Guam Department of Corrections, State

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Habeas Corpus, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241-2253; 2254; 2255

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding (General)

Habeas Corpus

Recreation / Exercise