Case: Giampetruzzi v. Malcolm

1:72-cv-04735 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: Nov. 8, 1972

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Case Summary

In 1972, a group of individuals awaiting trial who had been housed in administrative segregation at the New York City House of Detention for Men filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the New York City Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that their placement in administrative segregation violated their constitutional rights because they had been deprived of privileges…

In 1972, a group of individuals awaiting trial who had been housed in administrative segregation at the New York City House of Detention for Men filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against the New York City Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that their placement in administrative segregation violated their constitutional rights because they had been deprived of privileges accorded to the general population. Specifically, they complained of inadequate lighting, filthy windows, less time out of their cells, more time in isolation, less access to recreational equipment, no educational programs, limitation on number of personal items (like books) that they could have in their cells, greater punishment for disciplinary infractions, inability to attend religious services, more frequent searches, less access to personal visitors, and fewer library privileges.

On November 24, 1975, the court (Judge Morris E. Lasker) held that the plaintiffs were being subjected to discrimination and granted injunctive relief. The court ordered the defendants to allow plaintiffs an opportunity to contest their placement before housing them in administrative segregation. 406 F.Supp. 836 (S.D.N.Y. 1975).

As of August 10, 2022, there has been no further known activity on this case. We do not have access to the docket.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (10/8/2007)

Lily Sawyer-Kaplan (8/10/2022)

People


Judge(s)

Lasker, Morris Edward (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hellerstein, William E. (New York)

Pochoda, Daniel Joseph (Arizona)

Smith, Marjorie M. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Tobias, Donald J. (New York)

Judge(s)

Lasker, Morris Edward (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:72-cv-04735

Opinion

Nov. 24, 1975

Nov. 24, 1975

Order/Opinion

406 F.Supp. 406

Docket

Last updated Feb. 15, 2024, 3:18 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 8, 1972

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

unconvicted detainees who had been housed in administrative segregation at the New York City House of Detention for Men

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Unknown

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

New York City Department of Corrections (New York), City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Free Exercise Clause

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1975 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Mail

Recreation / Exercise

Rehabilitation

Religious programs / policies

Sanitation / living conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Administrative segregation

Law library access

Library (non-law) access

Protective custody

Visiting

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Type of Facility:

Government-run