Case: M.M.B. v. Bonneville County

4:86-04244 | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Filed Date: Dec. 9, 1986

Closed Date: 1986

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On December 9, 1986, a class action lawsuit was filed against Bonneville County, Idaho, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho on behalf of all past, present, and future juveniles jailed at the Bonneville County Jail in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The plaintiffs, who were represented by the National Center for Youth Law and the Youth Law Center, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1988, and 5601 et seq., alleging that jail conditions and policies violated their constitutional…

On December 9, 1986, a class action lawsuit was filed against Bonneville County, Idaho, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho on behalf of all past, present, and future juveniles jailed at the Bonneville County Jail in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The plaintiffs, who were represented by the National Center for Youth Law and the Youth Law Center, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1988, and 5601 et seq., alleging that jail conditions and policies violated their constitutional rights.

The plaintiffs' complaint addressed four issues. First, the juvenile cellblocks were below the national standard for juvenile detention facilities because they were too small, unlit, afforded inmates no privacy, and insufficiently monitored to ensure inmate safety. Second, the County did not offer alternative community-based detention options as required by the Juvenile Justice Act. 42 U.S.C. §§ 5633(12) and 1603(1). Third, juvenile and adult inmates were not completely separated, sharing common and recreational areas. In addition, female juvenile and adult detainees could communicate with each other while in their cells. Fourth, juveniles were improperly incarcerated for "status offenses," acts that are only criminal if committed by a juvenile.

On the same day they filed suit, the parties also filed a consent decree. Bonneville County admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to make significant changes in juvenile detention. The County agreed to meet stipulated minimum standards for juvenile detention with the assistance of a nationally known expert and to house juveniles and adults separately both in their own jail and contracted facilities. The consent decree allowed the County to jail juveniles in another county for the first six months following the consent decree, if necessary to comply with the stipulated minimum standards. Our copy of the Consent Decree is not signed and we do not have a copy of the stipulations.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (11/3/2007)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Demchak, Teresa (California)

Fuller, Mark (Idaho)

Jameson, Elizabeth J. (California)

Lambert, David Lee (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Mason, Kimball W. (Idaho)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

4:86-04244

Civil Rights Complaint for Injunctive, Declaratory and other Equitable Relief

Dec. 9, 1986

Dec. 9, 1986

Complaint

4:86-04244

Amended Consent Judgment

May 11, 1987

May 11, 1987

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Idaho

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 9, 1986

Closing Date: 1986

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

all past, present, and future juveniles jailed at the Bonneville County Jail in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

National Center for Youth Law

Youth Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Bonneville County (Idaho Falls, Bonneville), 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:

Complaint (any)

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: 1986 - 0

Issues

General:

Classification / placement

Over/Unlawful Detention

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Youth / Adult separation

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

Type of Facility:

Government-run