Filed Date: Feb. 10, 1992
Closed Date: 1996
Clearinghouse coding complete
On November 19, 1987, the United States Department of Justice notified the governor of Pennsylvania of the findings of an investigation of the Ebensburg Center in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania conducted pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). The DOJ concluded that the constitutional rights of the residents with intellectual disabilities of the Ebensburg Center were being violated by the conditions at the facility. It alleged that the center failed to provide its residents with adequate training programs and the staff used inappropriate restraints. The center also failed to provide proper medical care and was understaffed.
On February 10, 1992, the United States filed a lawsuit alleging violations of CRIPA in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against the state of Pennsylvania. The allegations in the complaint were based on the findings of the CRIPA investigation.
On July 27, 1995, after a trial, the district court (Judge D. Brooks Smith) found that there were no constitutional violations. United States v. Pennsylvania, 902 F. Supp. 565 (W.D. Pa. 1995). The district court conceded that many residents of the facility would be better served by placement in the community, but held that the conditions in Ebensburg Center provided the minimum level of care required by the constitution. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed without opinion on August 26, 1996. United States v. Ridge, 96 F.3d 1436 (3d Cir. 1996). The PACER docket indicates that litigation regarding attorneys' fees continued through 1998.
Summary Authors
Angela Heverling (5/25/2007)
Barr, William P. (District of Columbia)
Bowers, Susan (District of Columbia)
Corbett, Thomas W. Jr. (Pennsylvania)
Davison, Douglas J. (Pennsylvania)
Bagenstos, Samuel R. (District of Columbia)
Barr, William P. (District of Columbia)
Bowers, Susan (District of Columbia)
Corbett, Thomas W. Jr. (Pennsylvania)
Dunne, John R. (District of Columbia)
Farano, Richard J. (District of Columbia)
Frohboese, Robinsue (District of Columbia)
Guzman, Philip A. (District of Columbia)
Nelson, Mellie H. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Reynolds, William Bradford (District of Columbia)
Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Dec. 20, 2024, 12:40 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Pennsylvania
Case Type(s):
Intellectual Disability (Facility)
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 10, 1992
Closing Date: 1996
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State of Pensylvania (Ebensburg , Cambria), State
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Disability and Disability Rights:
Developmental disability without intellectual disability
Intellectual/developmental disability, unspecified
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Habilitation (training/treatment)
Medical/Mental Health Care: