Case: Ribs v. Taylor

2:77-03985 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Oct. 25, 1977

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Case Summary

On October 25, 1977, Indian prisoners in the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California, filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs, represented by the Native American Rights Fund and California Indian Legal Services, asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages, alleging that the defendants had violated their constitutional rights by refusing to allow them to have an Indian sweat lodge at the prison.

On April 16, 1979, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ordered the defendants to allow the plaintiffs access to a sweat lodge. We have no further information on the proceedings in this case.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (9/10/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Kelleher, Robert Joseph (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Blue Dog, Kurt V. (Colorado)

Echo-Hawk, Walter R. (Colorado)

Forman, George (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Brosio, Frederick M. Jr. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:77-03985

Consent Judgment and Decree

April 18, 1979

April 18, 1979

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Jan. 23, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 25, 1977

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Native American inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Federal Correctional Institution (Lompoc), Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Free Exercise Clause

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1979 - 0

Issues

General:

Religious programs / policies

Type of Facility:

Government-run