Case: Washington v. Tinney

1:78-01730 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Sept. 13, 1978

Closed Date: Nov. 14, 1979

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In September of 1978, two inmates of the Maryland Correctional Institution (MCI) in Hagerstown, Maryland, filed a pro se lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the Maryland Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiffs asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the conditions of their confinement violated their constitutional rights. Specifically, they complained of overcrowding, inadequate medical conditions, and in…

In September of 1978, two inmates of the Maryland Correctional Institution (MCI) in Hagerstown, Maryland, filed a pro se lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the Maryland Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiffs asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the conditions of their confinement violated their constitutional rights. Specifically, they complained of overcrowding, inadequate medical conditions, and inadequate food service.

A few months later, the court (Judge Roszel Cathcart Thomsen) appointed counsel for the plaintiffs, and the new counsel asked the court to certify the case as a class action on behalf of all inmates at the prison. The defendants did not object, and the court granted class certification.

On September 21, 1979, the parties entered into a Consent Decree, which was adopted by the court on November 14, 1979. Washington v. Keller, 479 F.Supp. 569 (D.Md. 1979). The Consent Decree provided for improvement of the housing areas, lowering of population levels, limiting double-bunking of inmates, programming, staffing levels, and services of the prison. We have no further information on the proceedings in this case.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (2/14/2007)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Adkins, E. Dale III (Maryland)

Bekman, Paul D. (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Andrews, Phillip M. (Maryland)

Caplis, Stephen B. (Maryland)

Cuzmanes, Paul (Maryland)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:78-01730

Reported Opinion

Washington v. Keller

Nov. 14, 1979

Nov. 14, 1979

Order/Opinion

479 F.Supp. 479

1:78-01730

Order Directing notice of Submission of Proposed Stipulation

Dec. 15, 1983

Dec. 15, 1983

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 18, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 13, 1978

Closing Date: Nov. 14, 1979

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Inmates of the Maryland Correctional Institution in Hagerstown, Maryland

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Maryland Correctional Institution (Hagerstown), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1979 - None

Issues

General:

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, unspecified

Type of Facility:

Government-run