Filed Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
In April 2021, the Department notified Alameda County, California, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and Alameda Health System that there is reasonable cause to believe that the County’s use of institutional settings to provide mental health services to adults with mental health disabilities violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that the conditions at Santa Rita Jail violate the Constitution and the ADA. Specifically, the Department’s investigation found that the County fails to provide services to qualified individuals with mental health disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs by unnecessarily institutionalizing them at John George Psychiatric Hospital and other psychiatric facilities. In addition, the Department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Jail fails to provide constitutionally adequate mental health care to prisoners with serious mental health needs, including those at risk of suicide; that the Jail violates the constitutional rights of prisoners with serious mental illness through its prolonged use of restrictive housing; and that the Jail violates the ADA by denying prisoners with mental health disabilities access to services, programs, and activities because of their disabilities.
Summary Authors
Terry Howard (1/2/2024)
Hinds, Stephanie (California)
Karlan, Pamela S (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 3:01 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. DOJ Civil Rights Division Disability Rights California, a nonprofit organization, appointed by California to protect the rights and interests of California residents with mental illness.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Santa Rita Jail (Alameda), County
John George Psychiatric Hospital (Alameda), County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Amount Defendant Pays: 1,800,000
Issues
General:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Medical/Mental Health:
Mental health care, unspecified
Type of Facility: