Filed Date: 1982
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In 1982, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiffs were individuals who had been convicted and incarcerated under Michigan's "Guilty but Mentally Ill" statute, C.L.A. § 768.36, which provides that a criminal defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill and is committed to the custody of the DOC shall undergo further evaluation and be treated for mental illness or mental retardation. Plaintiffs claimed that the DOC lacked the resources to provide any psychiatric treatment to prisoners other than the most extreme disciplinary problems.
On February 16, 1984, the court (Judge Charles Joiner) granted class certification, concluding that the action could proceed as a class action if limited to the issue of whether the Department of Corrections had devised institutional policy and procedures, and if they had not, whether that failure was a constitutional violation of due process and the Eighth Amendment. Gorton v. Johnson, 100 F.R.D. 801 (E.D. Mich. 1984). The issues certified did not include those related to individual evaluation of prisoners, except where necessary to determine policy and procedure. All of our information regarding this case comes from the decision regarding class certification.
Summary Authors
Angela Heverling (4/5/2006)
Joiner, Charles Wycliffe (Michigan)
Wood, Judith (Michigan)
Humphries, Paula G. (Michigan)
Joiner, Charles Wycliffe (Michigan)
Last updated March 29, 2024, 3 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: 1982
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
individuals who had been convicted and incarcerated under Michigan's "Guilty but Mentally Ill" statute, C.L.A. § 768.36
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Michigan Department of Corrections (Ionia), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Unknown
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: