Filed Date: Dec. 17, 1987
Closed Date: 2005
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On December 17, 1987, prisoners at the Green Haven and Auburn State Correctional Facilities in New York filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the New York Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The prisoners, represented by Prisoners' Legal Services of New York and the Prisoners' Rights Project Legal Aid Society, alleged that their civil rights had been violated by the disciplinary procedures used for mentally ill prisoners.
On February 17, 1987, the plaintiffs asked the court to certify them as a class. On March 13, 1990, the magistrate judge Gustave J. DiBianco filed a report recommending that the court certify the class, and the defendants objected to the plaintiff class certification. On March 1, 1988, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (Judge Neal P. McCurn) certified the class of inmates who suffered from mental illness. Anderson v. Coughlin,10 Fed.R.Serv.3d 1277 (N.D.NY. 1988).
On December 16, 2003, parties entered into a private settlement agreement, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (Judge McCurn) approved the form of the agreement. On January 27, 2005, the court entered a voluntary stipulation of dismissal, and on April 14, 2005, the court dismissed all remaining claims in the action with prejudice.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (3/10/2006)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5353587/parties/anderson-v-coughlin/
Boston, John (New York)
Fuller, Sarah Betsy (New York)
Goland, Lois (New York)
Kerr, Sarah (New York)
Abrams, Robert W. (New York)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5353587/anderson-v-coughlin/
Last updated Aug. 17, 2025, 11:17 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 17, 1987
Closing Date: 2005
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
mentally ill prisoners at the Green Haven and Auburn State Correctional Facilities in New York
Attorney Organizations:
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York (PLSNY)
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
New York Department of Corrections (Auburn), State
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 2003 - 2005
Issues
General/Misc.:
Medical/Mental Health Care: