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In March of 1994, the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, decided to investigate the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Alabama pursuant to the Civil Rights of the Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. The investigation consisted of three tours of the facility in late May/early June, July, and August of 1994 and revealed many unconstitutional conditions. Mental health care services were almost nonexistent at the facility. Mentally ill inmates in need of hospitalization remained in the facility. There were deficiencies in access to medical care, medication management, access for the physically disabled, dental care, and chronic care programs. Inmates were subjected to unconstitutional disciplinary practices. The investigation also found that many repairs needed to be made to the physical plant that the food service program was unsanitary. The facility was overcrowded and there were fire safety hazards. It was also noted that some days inmates were only provided with two meals for reasons of convenience. In its Notice of Findings the Department of Justice made numerous recommendations in March of 1995. They included the following: Establish and implement policies and proceeding in order to provide adequate mental health treatment, including hiring sufficient mental health staff and renovating the mental health unit.Medical triage should be conducted by qualified staff and nurses permitted to provide over-the-counter medications for minor complaints. Inmates should not go without food for more than fourteen hours.Period inspections of the physical plant should be conducted. Smoke detectors should be provided for all housing areas. Smoke detectors should be provided for all housing areas. According to the DOJ's 2002 Annual CRIPA report to Congress, this matter was closed sometime in the 2002 fiscal year. The DOJ opened another investigation into Tutwiler in Jan. 2013, dealing with sexual abuse of prisoners. It is available as PC-AL-0034 in this Clearinghouse; it led to findings, and then a lawsuit and consent decree in 2015. Based on the documents filed in that matter, it does not appear that this one led to any formal agreement. (There was also an earlier CRIPA matter involving Tutwiler, in the mid 1980s. For information, see U.S. v. Alabama.)
Summary Authors
Angela Heverling (5/9/2006)
Clearinghouse (5/30/2015)
Barrick, Andrew J. (District of Columbia)
Cheng, Christopher N. (District of Columbia)
Turner, James P. (District of Columbia)
Brown, Shanneta Y. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:47 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Alabama
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: No
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
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: