Case: Breaux & U.S. v. Phelps

6:77-00121 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Feb. 3, 1977

Closed Date: 1981

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 3, 1977, inmates at the Acadia Parish Prison filed a class action lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana to challenge their conditions of confinement. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to redress the alleged deprivation of their civil rights. Shortly after the filing of the complaint, the District Court (Judge W. Eugene Davis) entered an order directing the defendants to allow the inmates free a…

On February 3, 1977, inmates at the Acadia Parish Prison filed a class action lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana to challenge their conditions of confinement. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to redress the alleged deprivation of their civil rights.

Shortly after the filing of the complaint, the District Court (Judge W. Eugene Davis) entered an order directing the defendants to allow the inmates free access to their attorney. Following a status conference, the District Court ordered that a detailed inspection of the jail be conducted and directed the defendants to furnish a copy of inspection report to the Court. Similar orders followed, directing the defendants to conduct studies regarding various conditions of confinement. Rulings on substantive motions filed by the parties were deferred by the Court.

During the course of the litigation, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in the action as a party plaintiff.

Following settlement negotiations, the parties agreed to a Consent Decree to resolve the disputed issues. The Decree was approved and entered by the District Court on August 21, 1980. It called for changes and improvements to the Acadia Parish Prison in the following areas: physical facilities, inmate classification, health care, sanitation, mail, food service, access to the courts, exercise, visitation, overcrowding, discipline, security, work release and racial discrimination. The District Court retained jurisdiction to monitor the implementation of the Consent Decree provisions.

The last docket entry is for December 1, 1981, reflecting that the defendant filed a supplemental status report with the Court. We have no further information.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/9/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Davis, W. Eugene (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Allen, Frances O. (Louisiana)

Berg, Richard (District of Columbia)

Bronstein, Alvin J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Cook, David (Louisiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

6:77-00121

Docket

Dec. 1, 1981

Dec. 1, 1981

Docket

6:77-00121

Consent Decree

Aug. 25, 1980

Aug. 25, 1980

Order/Opinion

6:77-00121

Judgment

Feb. 23, 1981

Feb. 23, 1981

Order/Opinion

6:77-00121

Stipulation

Feb. 23, 1981

Feb. 23, 1981

Pleading / Motion / Brief

6:77-00121

Defendant Acadia Parish Sheriff's Dept. Supplemental Report

Dec. 1, 1981

Dec. 1, 1981

Monitor/Expert/Receiver Report

Docket

Last updated Feb. 15, 2024, 3:08 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 3, 1977

Closing Date: 1981

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Inmates confined in the Acadia Parish Prison, Lafayette, LA.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Acadia Parish Prison (Acadia), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1980 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Bathing and hygiene

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Fire safety

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Mail

Recreation / Exercise

Rehabilitation

Religious programs / policies

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Disciplinary segregation

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run