Case: United States v. Indiana

1:84-cv-00411 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: March 16, 1984

Closed Date: 1984

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 16, 1984, the United States filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq, against the State of Indiana, the Indiana Department of Mental Health (IDMH), and officers of various state agencies, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The government asked the court for permanent injunctive relief, alleging that conditions at Logansport State Hospital (LSH) and Central State Hospital …

On March 16, 1984, the United States filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq, against the State of Indiana, the Indiana Department of Mental Health (IDMH), and officers of various state agencies, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The government asked the court for permanent injunctive relief, alleging that conditions at Logansport State Hospital (LSH) and Central State Hospital (CSH) constituted unconstitutional conditions of confinement. Specifically, it contended that the defendants failed to provide sufficient staff, keep adequate records, provide adequate residential care, adequately communicate medical information to staff, maintain an adequate physical environment, prescribe and administer psychotropic medication safely, employ measures assuring the quality of residential care, adequately protect residents for risks associated with telephone orders, and adequately monitor and review pro re nata prescriptions of psychotropic medications.

Previously, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) notified the Governor of Indiana on June 16, 1982, and on October 6, 1983, of its intention to investigate alleged unconstitutional conditions at the institutions. State officials cooperated with these investigations and indicated, from the outset, a willingness to remedy long outstanding deficiencies at the institutions. The Governor created a Commission on Directions in Mental Health and the General Assembly appropriated a large increase in funding for capital projects in state hospitals. Consequently, state and federal officials determined to negotiate a settlement agreement rather than engage in protracted litigation.

The same day as the complaint was filed, March 16, 1984, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement established (1) general principles and (2) protocols with respect to (a) increased minimum staffing, (b) monitoring the advance of objectives including staff attendance, record keeping, quality of care, staff communication, medication administration, and restraints and seclusion, (c) monitoring plans for implementation of the agreement, and (d) monitoring compliance.

On April 6, 1984, the District Court (Judge James E. Noland) approved the consent decree. Judge Nolan ordered that the decree was binding on all parties and that defendants had to give full access to the DOJ to inspect for compliance, and provided that the Court would retain jurisdiction of the matter, enabling any party to apply for further orders as necessary to ensure compliance.

We have no more information on this case.

Summary Authors

Josh Altman (6/15/2006)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Barker, Sarah Evans (Indiana)

Frohboese, Robinsue (District of Columbia)

Held, Alan (District of Columbia)

Hendriksen, James (District of Columbia)

Maccoon, John P. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:84-cv-00411

Docket

U.S. v. Indiana

April 6, 1984

April 6, 1984

Docket

1:84-cv-00411

Motion to Adopt Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement as Incorporated Therein

U.S. v. Indiana

March 16, 1984

March 16, 1984

Pleading / Motion / Brief

1:84-cv-00411

Complaint

U.S. v. Indiana

March 16, 1984

March 16, 1984

Complaint

1:84-cv-00411

Decree

U.S. v. Indiana

April 6, 1984

April 6, 1984

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Jan. 24, 2024, 3:01 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Indiana

Case Type(s):

Mental Health (Facility)

Special Collection(s):

Civil Rights Division Archival Collection

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 16, 1984

Closing Date: 1984

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney 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

Indiana, State

Indiana Department of Mental Health, State

Logansport State Hospital, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

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: 1984 - None

Issues

General:

Record-keeping

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Totality of conditions

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Medication, administration of

Type of Facility:

Government-run