Case: U.S. v. Forest City

3:94-cv-00680 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Filed Date: Oct. 31, 1994

Closed Date: Oct. 8, 1997

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In May of 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Forest City, Mississippi of its intention to investigate conditions of the city jail. In September of 1993, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the Mayor of Forest City of its findings and made recommendations regarding security and supervision; staff training; policies and procedures; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; sanitation; food services; fire safety; exercise; and access to counsel. Apparently after neg…

In May of 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Forest City, Mississippi of its intention to investigate conditions of the city jail. In September of 1993, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the Mayor of Forest City of its findings and made recommendations regarding security and supervision; staff training; policies and procedures; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; sanitation; food services; fire safety; exercise; and access to counsel. Apparently after negotiation, the Attorney General filed an action under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. section 1997 et seq., against the jail in 1994. Shortly thereafter, the district court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Judge Henry T. Wingate) approved a consent decree. The consent decree laid out steps the city must take to improve issues discussed in the DOJ's letter of findings and recommendations. According to the docket from PACER, the city continued to update the court with compliance reports until 1997.

Summary Authors

Lauren Cutson (5/25/2005)

People

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Goldschmidt, Iris (District of Columbia)

Lynn, Daniel E. (District of Columbia)

Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)

Payne, Timothy R. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Lee, Thomas D. (Mississippi)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:94-cv-00680

Docket [PACER]

Oct. 8, 1997

Oct. 8, 1997

Docket

Notice Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Forest City Jail in Forest, Mississippi

No Court

May 3, 1993

May 3, 1993

Notice Letter

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Forest City Jail in Forest, Mississippi

No Court

Sept. 9, 1993

Sept. 9, 1993

Findings Letter/Report
1

3:94-cv-00680

Complaint

Oct. 31, 1994

Oct. 31, 1994

Complaint

Certificate of the Attorney General

No Court

Oct. 31, 1994

Oct. 31, 1994

Declaration/Affidavit

3:94-cv-00680

Correspondence re: U.S. v. Forest City

Nov. 9, 1994

Nov. 9, 1994

Correspondence
2

3:94-cv-00680

Consent Decree

Nov. 15, 1994

Nov. 15, 1994

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated April 4, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT ; Notice of Assignment mailed. (thr) (Entered: 11/16/1994)

Nov. 15, 1994

Nov. 15, 1994

Magistrate Judge Assignment James C. Sumner (thr) (Entered: 11/16/1994)

Nov. 15, 1994

Nov. 15, 1994

2

CONSENT ORDER the Defendants shall implement all provisions of this Order as set out, no later than 4/1/95. ( signed by Judge Henry T. Wingate ); copies mailed. (fe) (Entered: 11/16/1994)

Nov. 15, 1994

Nov. 15, 1994

Case closed (fe) (Entered: 11/16/1994)

Nov. 15, 1994

Nov. 15, 1994

3

COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendant City of Forest, MS (spc) (Entered: 02/13/1995)

Feb. 13, 1995

Feb. 13, 1995

4

REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 05/24/1995)

May 23, 1995

May 23, 1995

5

Letter requesting attachment by defendant City of Forest, MS to substitute signature page for the page not signed. (thr) (Entered: 05/25/1995)

May 25, 1995

May 25, 1995

6

REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 08/16/1995)

Aug. 16, 1995

Aug. 16, 1995

7

Compliance REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 11/17/1995)

Nov. 17, 1995

Nov. 17, 1995

8

COMPLIANCE REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 02/21/1996)

Feb. 20, 1996

Feb. 20, 1996

10

Compliance REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 10/09/1996)

Oct. 9, 1996

Oct. 9, 1996

11

Complaince REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) (Entered: 03/06/1997)

March 6, 1997

March 6, 1997

12

Compliance REPORT TO THE COURT by defendant City of Forest, MS (thr) Modified on 10/08/1997 (Entered: 10/08/1997)

Oct. 8, 1997

Oct. 8, 1997

Case Details

State / Territory: Mississippi

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 31, 1994

Closing Date: Oct. 8, 1997

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States 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

Forrest City Jail (Forrest, Forrest), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

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

Order Duration: 1994 - 1997

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Fire safety

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run