Case: A.A. v. Wackenhut

3:00-cv-00246 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

Filed Date: April 3, 2000

Closed Date: Oct. 3, 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is one of a collection of § 1983 inmate cases filed in Louisiana federal courts to challenge the operation and conditions of confinement in the Louisiana prison system and in parish and city jails through Louisiana. These cases have worked their way through the federal courts over the last four decades and are part of this collection, located at PC-LA, JC-LA and JI-LA.In this case, private plaintiffs filed a civil rights class action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of L…

This is one of a collection of § 1983 inmate cases filed in Louisiana federal courts to challenge the operation and conditions of confinement in the Louisiana prison system and in parish and city jails through Louisiana. These cases have worked their way through the federal courts over the last four decades and are part of this collection, located at PC-LA, JC-LA and JI-LA.

In this case, private plaintiffs filed a civil rights class action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana to challenge the abusive and inhumane conditions inflicted upon juveniles confined at the Jena Juvenile Justice Center ("Jena") in Jena, Louisiana.

The lawsuit followed the November 1998 filing of the case, U.S. v. Louisiana, [JI-LA-1] which alleged unconstitutional conditions of confinement at other juvenile detention centers in Jetson, Bridge City, Swanson and Tallulah, Louisiana.

In April 2000, the DOJ, plaintiffs and defendants entered into a settlement agreement ("the Jena Agreement") to resolve demands for preliminary injunctive relief sought by the DOJ in U.S. v. State of Louisiana, and by the Private Plaintiffs in A.A., et al. v. Wackenhut Corrections Corp., et al. CIV.A. 00-246-B-M1 [JI-LA-7] regarding conditions at Jena Juvenile Justice Center. The District Court (Judge Frank J. Polozola) approved the Agreement on April 13, 2000. An amendment to the Jena Agreement was filed on May 9, 2000.

On October 3, 2000, the District Court approved the Joint Settlement Agreement for Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Juvenile Justice Issues ("2000 Settlement Agreement") reached in this case and the cases, U.S. v. Louisiana, was consolidated with Williams v. Edwards, Civ. No. 71-98-B [PC-LA-1] and Brian B. v. Stadler, Civ. No. 98-886-B-M1 [JI-LA-6] and In Re: Juvenile Facilities ) Civ. No. Ch 97-Ms-001-B [JI-LA-8].

The case was ordered administratively closed and no further activity was noted on the PACER docket as of the date of this summary.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/23/2007)

Related Cases

Williams v. McKeithen, Middle District of Louisiana (1971)

In re Juvenile Justice Facilities, Middle District of Louisiana (1997)

Brian B. v. Stalder, Middle District of Louisiana (1998)

United States v. Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana (1998)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/10994948/parties/williams-v-wackenhut-corr-corp/


Judge(s)

Polozola, Frank Joseph (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Celeste, Gabriella (Louisiana)

Denlinger, June E. (Louisiana)

Nordyke, Keith B (Louisiana)

Utter, David J. (Louisiana)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:00-cv-00246

Docket (PACER)

Williams, et al v. Wackenhut Corr Corp,

Sept. 13, 2001

Sept. 13, 2001

Docket
1

3:00-cv-00246

Complaint (Class Action)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/10994948/williams-v-wackenhut-corr-corp/

Last updated March 18, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT Filing Fee $ 150.00 Receipt # 69375 (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
2

MOTION by All Plaintiffs to Proceed in Pseudonym ( Motion Hearing set for 9:00 5/5/00 ) (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
3

MEMORANDUM by All Plaintiffs in support of [2-1] motion to Proceed in Pseudonym by All Plaintiffs (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
4

MOTION by All Plaintiffs for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem ( Motion Hearing set for 9:00 5/5/00 ) (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
5

MOTION by All Plaintiffs for Preliminary Injunction ( Motion Hearing set for 9:00 5/5/00 ) (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
6

MEMORANDUM by All Plaintiffs in support of [5-1] motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
7

MOTION by All Plaintiffs for Expedited Hearing on [5-1] motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
8

MEMORANDUM by All Plaintiffs in support of [7-1] motion for Expedited Hearing on [5-1] motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
9

MOTION by All Plaintiffs to Certify Class ( Motion Hearing set for 9:00 5/5/00 ) (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
10

MEMORANDUM by All Plaintiffs in support of [9-1] motion to Certify Class by All Plaintiffs (bnw) (Entered: 04/04/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

PACER
11

ORDER granting [5-1] motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 04/06/2000)

April 5, 2000

April 5, 2000

PACER
12

ORDER of re-allotment ...CA 00-246-C-M1 be re-allotted to Section B of this Court. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola and Judge Ralph E. Tyson ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 04/06/2000)

April 6, 2000

April 6, 2000

PACER

CASE reassigned to Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola (hcj)

April 6, 2000

April 6, 2000

PACER
13

Minute entry: Hearing held on 4/5/00 - settlement negations. It is ordered that a motion for preliminary injuction shall be filed with an attached stipulation in reference to the take over of the Jena facility by the State of Louisiana ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (hcj) (Entered: 04/12/2000)

April 11, 2000

April 11, 2000

PACER

Motion hearing held re: [7-1] motion for Expedited Hearing on [5-1] motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs by All Plaintiffs (hcj)

April 11, 2000

April 11, 2000

PACER
14

ORDER ...the parties continue discussions through 4/14/00 to settle all issues regarding all five secure juveniles facilities. It is further ordred that to allow the parties to research and consider the matters previously discussed, the settlement negotiations may be suspended after 4/14/00 and resume 5/1/00. Settlement discussions shall continue thereafter from day to day until further orders of this court. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 04/17/2000)

April 13, 2000

April 13, 2000

PACER
15

ORDER APPROVING SETTLEMENT ...the Agreement is approved by the Court and that pltf's motion for preliminary injunction is held in abeyance. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 04/17/2000)

April 13, 2000

April 13, 2000

PACER
16

TRANSCRIPT of hearing filed for dates of 4/5/00 (hcj) (Entered: 04/28/2000)

April 27, 2000

April 27, 2000

PACER
17

AMENDMENT to private plaintiffs' Jena Agreement (hcj) (Entered: 05/10/2000)

May 9, 2000

May 9, 2000

PACER
18

ORDER ... the settlement negotiations will be recessed on 5/15/00 and 5/16/00 and will resume again on 5/17/00. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

May 12, 2000

May 12, 2000

PACER
19

LETTER dated 5/15/00 TO: Judge Frank J. Polozola FROM: Richard Curry RE: Settlement negotiations ...affirmed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola (hcj) (Entered: 05/26/2000)

May 25, 2000

May 25, 2000

PACER

Status Conference held (hcj)

June 27, 2000

June 27, 2000

PACER
20

Minute entry: Status Conference held on 6/27/00 (signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (hcj) (Entered: 07/03/2000)

July 3, 2000

July 3, 2000

PACER

Status Conference held (hcj)

July 27, 2000

July 27, 2000

PACER
21

Minute entry: Status Conference held on 7/27/00 ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (hcj) (Entered: 07/31/2000)

July 28, 2000

July 28, 2000

PACER

Status Conference held (hcj)

Aug. 11, 2000

Aug. 11, 2000

PACER

Status Conference held on 8/8/00 (hcj)

Aug. 22, 2000

Aug. 22, 2000

PACER
22

Minute entry: Status conference held on 8/8/00 ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (hcj) (Entered: 08/22/2000)

Aug. 22, 2000

Aug. 22, 2000

PACER
23

Minute entry: Status conference held on 8/11/00 ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (hcj) (Entered: 08/25/2000)

Aug. 25, 2000

Aug. 25, 2000

PACER
24

ORDER denying as moot [2-1] motion to Proceed in Pseudonym by All Plaintiffs, denying as moot [4-1] motion for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem by All Plaintiffs ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (bnw) (Entered: 09/06/2000)

Sept. 6, 2000

Sept. 6, 2000

PACER
25

JOINT MOTION by Wackenhut Corr Corp, Salvador Godinez, Murphy Mike Foster, Richard L. Stalder, All Plaintiffs for Conditional Dismissal and Other Relief (elp) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 7, 2000

Sept. 7, 2000

PACER
26

NOTICE of Settlement Agreement for Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Juvenile Justice Issues (elp) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 7, 2000

Sept. 7, 2000

PACER
27

ORDER granting, as stated herein... [25-1] joint motion for Conditional Dismissal and Other Relief by All Plaintiffs, Richard L. Stalder, Murphy Mike Foster, Salvador Godinez, Wackenhut Corr Corp ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (elp) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 7, 2000

Sept. 7, 2000

PACER

Inspection Report RE: Educational Settlement Agreement and Education Inspection Plan for Settlement Agreement can be found in 97-MS-1 document numbers 299 and 300 (hcj)

Sept. 7, 2000

Sept. 7, 2000

PACER
28

Minute entry: Telephone status cnf held 9/6/00 to discuss procedural matters for the status cnf to be held 9/7/00... ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (elp) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 13, 2000

Sept. 13, 2000

PACER
29

Minute entry: granting [25-1] joint motion for Conditional Dismissal and Other Relief by All Plaintiffs, Richard L. Stalder, Murphy Mike Foster, Salvador Godinez, Wackenhut Corr Corp ...all cases except 71-98 pertaining to juvenile facilities are herby administratively closed until further order of the Court... ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ) (elp) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 13, 2000

Sept. 13, 2000

PACER

Case closed (elp)

Sept. 13, 2000

Sept. 13, 2000

PACER
30

MEMORANDUM OPINION ...final approval of Joint Settlement Agreement for Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Juvenile Justice Issues ("Settlement Agreement") filed with the Court on 9/7/00i. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 10/12/2000)

Oct. 3, 2000

Oct. 3, 2000

PACER
31

ORDER ...case shall remain closed The Clerk ofCOurt shall randomly assign a new district judge to preside in this case in the event any party seeks to reopen the case. ( signed by Chief Judge Frank J. Polozola ), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 09/13/2001)

Sept. 13, 2001

Sept. 13, 2001

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 3, 2000

Closing Date: Oct. 3, 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Juveniles who are now or in the future will be confined at the Jena Juvenile Justice Center in Jena, Louisiana, and who are subject to abusive and inhumane conditions

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Jena Juvenile Justice Center, State

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:

Trial Court Docket

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: 2000 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Loss or damage to property

Parents (visitation, involvement)

Rehabilitation

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Confinement/isolation

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Medical/Mental Health:

Dental care

Medical care, general

Mental health care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run