Filed Date: Dec. 15, 1992
Case Ongoing
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On December 15, 1992, a Rastafarian inmate at the Southport Correctional Facility in Pine City, New York filed a pro se lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) 42 U.S.C. §2000b, against the New York State Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiff asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages, alleging that the defendants had violated his constitutional rights by subjecting him to mandatory medical confinement when he refused to undergo a tuberculosis screening, which he believed to be in violation of his religious convictions.
On August 14, 1995, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Judge John George Koeltl) granted a preliminary injunction to the plaintiff. Jolly v. Coughlin, 894 F.Supp. 734 (S.D.N.Y. 1995). The defendants asked the court to modify the preliminary injunction order. On August 30, 1995, the district court denied the motion. Jolly v. Coughlin, 907 F.Supp. 63 (S.D.N.Y. 1995). The defendants appealed. On February 7, 1996, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Judge Jose A. Cabranes), affirmed the district court's decision. 76 F.3d 468 (2nd Cir. 1996).
On February 27, 1997, prior to the beginning of trial, the defendants made an offer of judgment in the amount of $30,360, but the plaintiff refused it. On December 9, 1997, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding him injunctive relief and $30,000 in damages. The plaintiff and the defendants both asked the court to award them costs and attorneys' fees. On January 19, 1999, the district court (Judge Koeltl) awarded attorneys' fees and costs to the plaintiff for the time prior to February 27, 1997. The court also awarded costs to the defendants for the time after February 27, 1997, but denied the defendants' request for attorneys' fees. Jolly v. Coughlin, No.92-9026, 1999 WL 20895 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 19, 1999). The plaintiff appealed. On January 24, 2000, the Second Circuit dismissed the appeal.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (11/10/2006)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7628635/parties/jolly-v-coughlin/
Cabranes, José Alberto (Connecticut)
Feinberg, Wilfred (New York)
Bharara, Preetinder S. (New York)
Brandt, Shari A. (New York)
Hathaway, Barbara (New York)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7628635/jolly-v-coughlin/
Last updated Aug. 17, 2025, 11:17 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 15, 1992
Closing Date: 2000
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Inmate whose claims arise out of arose out of his confinement in medical keeplock for over three years, without exercise and with only one shower per week, after he refused to take a tuberculosis screening test
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
New York State Department of Corrections, State
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order
Source of Relief:
Content of Injunction:
Order Duration: 1995 - 0
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Medical/Mental Health Care: