Filed Date: Oct. 2, 1979
Closed Date: 1982
Clearinghouse coding complete
This was a § 1983 case filed by an incarcerated individual challenging the conditions of confinement in a hospital isolation cell in a county house of corrections. The plaintiff was incarcerated at the Hampden County House of Correction in Massachusetts. He was confined to a hospital isolation cell when he filed this action on October 2, 1979, and sought declaratory and injunctive relief, along with damages, against five defendants named individually and in their official capacities. The plaintiff was represented by the Prisoners Legal Assistance Clinic at the Western New England College of Law.
In his complaint the plaintiff made allegations regarding the conditions of his isolation cell, including inadequate sanitation, heating, food temperature, bedding, and recreation. After
Discovery, the plaintiff was granted leave to file an amended complaint, which expanded the claims of plaintiff to claims on behalf of a class of persons similarly situated. In August 1980, the plaintiff moved for class certification and the matter was referred to a magistrate. The magistrate recommended denial of the motion, but the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Judge Frank Freedman) rejected the magistrate's recommendation and ordered that a hearing be scheduled. The plaintiff also moved for partial summary judgment on his claim for damages, and a hearing was held on those motions on June 4, 1982. After the hearing, Judge Freedman told the parties he would leave the record open for one week to permit the parties to file additional evidentiary materials.
In a reported decision dated October 13, 1982, the district court refused to certify the class. Strachan v. Ashe, 548 F.Supp. 1193 (D. Mass. 1982).The court held that the conditions of confinement in the hospital isolation cell amounted to cruel and unusual punishment of the individual plaintiff and that the jail officials could be held liable for monetary damages. The court thus granted plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment, and stated that the case could proceed to trial on the issue of damages.
There is no docket available for this case, and there is no indication of whether damages were paid or if the case was ever resolved and closed.
Summary Authors
Theresa Spaulding (6/16/2005)
Freedman, Frank Harlan (Massachusetts)
Thompson, John M. (Massachusetts)
Basile, Savino J. (Massachusetts)
Keaney, J. David (Massachusetts)
McDonough, Edward J. Jr. (Massachusetts)
Freedman, Frank Harlan (Massachusetts)
Last updated March 24, 2024, 3:07 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Massachusetts
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 2, 1979
Closing Date: 1982
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Inmate challenging the conditions of confinement in a hospital isolation cell in a county house of corrections
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Denied
Defendants
State of Massachusetts (Hampden), County
Defendant 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:
Order Duration: 1982 - None
Issues
General:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Type of Facility: