Filed Date: March 10, 2003
Closed Date: March 10, 2004
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In May 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division launched an investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Alexander Youth Services Center in Alexander, Arkansas, pursuant to Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. and the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141.
Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at Alexander violated the constitutional and statutory rights of juvenile residents in the areas of: mental health care and fire safety protections, education services and religious freedom. On November 8, 2002, the United States issued a findings letter which detailed the violations and set out a series of minimum remedial measures to bring the facility up to constitutional standards. The State accepted the recommendations and the parties entered into a Settlement Agreement to ensure compliance.
So that the Agreement could be judicially enforced, the DOJ filed a formal complaint on March 10, 2003 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. That same day, the parties filed a joint motion for approval of the Settlement Agreement. On March 10, 2003, the District Court (Chief Judge Susan W. Wright) approved the Agreement and adopted it as an order of the Court.
The Agreement ended in 2004, and the case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (3/11/2008)
Bellan, Maurice A. (District of Columbia)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Cummins, H.E. Bud III (Arkansas)
Eichner, James (District of Columbia)
Preston, Judith (Judy) C. (District of Columbia)
Wright, Susan Webber (Arkansas)
Last updated April 3, 2024, 3:10 a.m.
State / Territory: Arkansas
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 10, 2003
Closing Date: March 10, 2004
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Arkansas Department of Human Services, State
Arkansas Division of Youth Services, State
Alexander Youth Services Center, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Indv. w/ Disab. Educ. Act (IDEA), Educ. of All Handcpd. Children Act , 20 U.S.C. § 1400
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Available Documents:
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: 2003 - 2004
Issues
General:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: