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In October 2000, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq., commenced an investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Wicomico County Detention Center in Salisbury, Maryland.
Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at the Detention Center violated the constitutional rights of convicted inmates, pre-trial detainees and Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS") detainees. Specifically, the DOJ found deficiencies in the following areas: (1) medical care (specifically chronic care, access to medical care for inmates and detainees in segregation, and tuberculosis screening); (2) mental health care, (specifically mental health treatment and medication distribution); (3) inmate and detainee safety; (4) environmental health and safety; and (5) overcrowding.
On September 9, 2002, the DOJ issued a letter advising Wicomico County of minimum measures it should implement in order to remedy the constitutional violations. Wicomico County agreed to the suggested reforms and, in July of 2004, entered into a Settlement Agreement with the DOJ. The Agreement set forth specific reforms and improvements to be implemented in several areas, including the areas of (1) medical and mental health care, (2) use of force, (3) security staffing and training, (4) inmate classification, (5) food service, (6) sanitation and maintenance of the physical plant, and (7) personal hygiene and laundry service. By its terms, the Agreement was to last for two years, during which time Wicomico County would make periodic progress reports to the DOJ.
We have no further information on this matter.
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (2/11/2008)
Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Baker, Edgar A. Jr. (Maryland)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Cooper, Owen B. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:39 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Maryland
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: 2006
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
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
Wicomico County Detention Center (Wicomico), County
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Special Case Type(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: 2004 - 2006
Issues
General/Misc.:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Affected Sex/Gender(s):
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health Care: