Case: Wyckoff v. County of Tehama

2:92-cv-01472 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 4, 1992

Closed Date: 1998

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 4, 1992, prisoners at the Tehama County Jail and the Work/Education Facility filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California again the County and the County Sheriff, challenging the constitutionality of their conditions of confinement. The plaintiffs, represented by the Prisoner Rights Union and private counsel, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that, among other things, the overcrowding at the jail and the lack of access t…

On September 4, 1992, prisoners at the Tehama County Jail and the Work/Education Facility filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California again the County and the County Sheriff, challenging the constitutionality of their conditions of confinement. The plaintiffs, represented by the Prisoner Rights Union and private counsel, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that, among other things, the overcrowding at the jail and the lack of access to the law library violated the Eight Amendment. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

On the same day that they filed their complaint, plaintiffs moved the Court for a preliminary injunction, and on September 15, 1992, they moved for a temporary restraining order. Plaintiffs filed a second motion for a temporary restraining order, this one relating to law library access on September 30, 1992. The District Court (Magistrate Judge John F. Moulds) held preliminary hearings on the plaintiffs' motions on October 1, 1992, and on November 3 ordered additional oral argument on the preliminary injunction.

On November 25, 1992, the parties stipulated to and the Court (Magistrate Judge Moulds) ordered an injunction that barred defendants from bedding inmates on the floor, set maximum capacities for the County Jail and the Work/Education Facility, barred defendants from adding beds over capacity, authorized the Sheriff to release prisoners from a housing unit if it came within 10% of capacity, and required the Sheriff to release prisoners or refuse new prisoners if a facility reached capacity. The order was set to expire when 75% of a new addition to the County Jail was occupied.

The parties conducted discovery of the course of the following months, and an eight-day trial was held starting June 22, 1993.

The docket indicates that defendants implemented new law library procedures, but does not detail how they differed from the previous procedures; after this, there is a four-year gap in activity.

The docket picks up again in 1997, with several status conferences, and then on February 25, 1998, the Court (Magistrate Judge Moulds) issues an order giving notice that a class action settlement has been reached, with a fairness hearing set for April 23, 1998. Under the terms of the settlement, the old part of the Tehama County Jail was to operate with a maximum bed capacity of 106 and defendants were to inform plaintiffs counsel whenever the old side operated at 90% of capacity for 30 continuous night. Defendants also agree to pay $55,000 in attorneys' fees.

After the fairness hearing, the Court (Judge Garland E. Burrell) approved the settlement and entered judgment on April 24, 1998. The docket indicates no further developments of note as of the date of this summary.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (7/23/2012)

People


Judge(s)

Burrell, Garland Ellis Jr. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Comiskey, Paul Wayne (California)

Herman, Richard P. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Buck, Nelson Dean (California)

Hagar, John H. Jr. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:92-cv-01472

Docket (PACER)

Wyckoff v. Tehama

June 29, 1998

June 29, 1998

Docket
14

2:92-cv-01472

Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Wyckoff v. Tehama

Sept. 28, 1992

Sept. 28, 1992

Complaint

2:92-cv-01472

Stipulation and Order

Wyckoff v. Tehama

Sept. 29, 1992

Sept. 29, 1992

Order/Opinion

2:92-cv-01472

Offer of Judgment

Wyckoff v. Tehama

Sept. 29, 1992

Sept. 29, 1992

Order/Opinion

2:92-cv-01472

Proposed Temporary Restraining Order

Wyckoff v. Tehama

Sept. 30, 1992

Sept. 30, 1992

Pleading / Motion / Brief

2:92-cv-01472

Notice of Class Action Settlement Agreement

Wyckoff v. Tehama

Feb. 23, 1998

Feb. 23, 1998

Settlement Agreement

2:92-cv-01472

Stipulation re. Final settlement Agreement; order

Wyckoff v. Tehama

April 24, 1998

April 24, 1998

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 21, 2024, 3:10 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

California Jail Population Caps

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 4, 1992

Closing Date: 1998

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

prisoners at the Tehama County Jail and Work/Education Facility

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Prisoners Rights Union

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

County of Tehama (Tehama), County

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $55,000 (atty fees)

Order Duration: 1992 - 0

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Law library access

Crowding / caseload

Pre-PLRA Population Cap

Type of Facility:

Government-run