Case: Parnell v. Waldrep

8:79-00136 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

Filed Date: April 16, 1979

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Case Summary

On April 16, 1979, an inmate at Gaston County Jail filed a pro se lawsuit in the United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the sheriff of Gaston County, North Carolina, and the jail sergeant at Gaston County Jail. The complaint alleged that while the plaintiff was incarcerated at the Gaston County Jail, the jail sergeant had refused to allow him to receive paperback books and magazines. On August 22, 1979, North Carolina Prisoner Legal Serv…

On April 16, 1979, an inmate at Gaston County Jail filed a pro se lawsuit in the United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the sheriff of Gaston County, North Carolina, and the jail sergeant at Gaston County Jail. The complaint alleged that while the plaintiff was incarcerated at the Gaston County Jail, the jail sergeant had refused to allow him to receive paperback books and magazines.

On August 22, 1979, North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services took over the case and filed an amended complaint as a class action. The amended complaint alleged that inmates were prohibited from receiving reading materials in violation of the First Amendment; that inmates were denied access to legal materials and thus access to the courts; and that inmates were denied recreational opportunities in violation of due process requirements and the Eighth Amendment.

On December 3, 1979, the certified class of plaintiffs, also represented by North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, filed their own action against the Sheriff alleging some of the same constitutional violations made in the original inmate's complaint.

In an order filed on March 12, 1980, the United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina (Judge James Bryan McMillan) consolidated the cases.

On April 21, 1981, the Court granted the initial plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on all three constitutional issues, and awarded summary judgment on the issues of access of inmates to reading materials and meaningful access to courts in the class action.

Additionally, the Court issued the following declaratory judgments: that the jail's policy of prohibiting receipt of certain reading materials is unconstitutional and that defendants are permanently enjoined from barring inmates from receiving reading materials; that the jail's failure to provide meaningful access to courts for its inmates, either by access to a library or to adequate legal services, is unconstitutional; and that the jail's failure to provide opportunity for meaningful physical exercise is unconstitutional.

The Court further ordered that defendants submit two plans, one that provided for constitutionally adequate access to courts by inmates for post-conviction and civil rights claims, and one that provided for exercise opportunities sought in the complaint. These plans had to be submitted by July 1, 1981, and, subject to the Court's approval, implemented by August 1, 1981. Plaintiffs had thirty days after the filing date of the order to submit claims for monetary damages and requests for costs and attorneys' fees. Parnell v. Waldrep, 511 F.Supp. 764 (W.D. NC 1981).

No information is available on PACER or Westlaw.

Summary Authors

Rebecca Bloch (2/24/2006)

People


Judge(s)

McMillan, James Bryan (North Carolina)

Attorney for Plaintiff

O'Neill, Clare (North Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant

Aycock, Frank B. III (North Carolina)

Judge(s)

McMillan, James Bryan (North Carolina)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

8:79-00136

8:79-00365

Order of Partial Summary Judgment

April 21, 1981

April 21, 1981

Order/Opinion

511 F.Supp. 511

Docket

Last updated March 18, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: North Carolina

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 16, 1979

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

inmates at the Gaston County Jail in North Carolina

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Gaston County Jail (Gaston), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1981 - 0

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Mail

Recreation / Exercise

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Law library access

Library (non-law) access

Type of Facility:

Government-run