Filed Date: Oct. 15, 1990
Closed Date: 1991
Clearinghouse coding complete
On October 15, 1990, inmates confined in the protective custody units of the Maine State Prison in Thomaston, Maine, filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the Maine Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. The plaintiffs, represented by the Maine Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU National Prison Project, asked the court for declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief, alleging that their constitutional rights had been violated by overcrowding, double celling, poor ventilation, inadequate recreation, broken plumbing, lack of mental health care, fire safety violations, lack of medical care, lack of personal safety, deafening noise, lack of sanitation, insects, and lack of access to legal supplies.
Much of this case predates PACER, so many documents are unavailable. According to the docket, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (Judge Gene Carter) closed this case on July 31, 1991, though the reason is unavailable. Later docket entries refer to a class settlement, which is unavailable to the Clearinghouse. Plaintiffs moved to reopen the case on January 22, 1996, and Defendants reported that the prison was taking steps to remedy the situation. The Court denied the motion to reopen the case, finding that the recent complaints were outside the scope of the class settlement. We have no further information on the proceedings, and the case remains closed as of March 6, 2018.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (9/6/2006)
Kenneth Gray (7/11/2013)
Carter, Gene (Maine)
Bronstein, Alvin J. (District of Columbia)
Lopez, Mark J. (District of Columbia)
Tisdale, Stuart W. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Sleek, Diane (Maine)
Carter, Gene (Maine)
Last updated Feb. 15, 2024, 3:18 a.m.
State / Territory: Maine
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 15, 1990
Closing Date: 1991
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
inmates confined in the protective custody units of the Maine State Prison
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Maine State Prison (Thomaston), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)
Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: