Filed Date: May 29, 1986
Clearinghouse coding complete
In 1986, inmates at Craggy Prison in Asheville, North Carolina, filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the North Carolina Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that their constitutional rights had been violated by the conditions of their confinement.
On August 28, 1987, the parties entered into a settlement agreement, which provided for lowering of the inmate population, elimination of triple bunking of inmates, improved medical services, dietary changes in accord with medical needs of inmates, mental health services, fire safety, CPR training for staff, kitchen sanitation, ventilation, heating, library access, clean clothing, new blankets and mattresses, window and door screens, and improved disciplinary procedures. We have been unable to locate a docket for this lawsuit, and therefore have no further information on the proceedings in this case.
We do know, however, that as a result of the settlement, the state closed the old prison, which had opened in the 1930s, and built a new 312-bed facility; this cost $8.4 million, part of a $28.5 million Emergency Prison Facilities Development program. The new prison opened in May 1989. See "https://www.ncdps.gov/Adult-Corrections/Prisons/Prison-Facilities/Craggy-Correctional-Center">the state's description of this history.
Presumably the case is done.
Summary Authors
Kristen Sagar (2/14/2007)
Lawrence, Melinda (North Carolina)
Lesesne, Louis L. Jr. (North Carolina)
Sparrow, Marvin (North Carolina)
Capone, Lucien III (North Carolina)
Smiley, Tiare Bowe (North Carolina)
Last updated April 4, 2024, 3:07 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: North Carolina
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 29, 1986
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
inmates at Craggy Prison in Asheville, North Carolina
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Craggy Prison (Asheville), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1987 - None
Issues
General:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: