Case: Barrett v. Kalinowski

3:77-01129 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Dec. 15, 1977

Closed Date: Sept. 18, 1978

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Case Summary

Inmates of the Wayne County Prison in Honesdale, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs, represented by Northern Pennsylvania Legal Services, asked the court for injunctive relief and damages, alleging that their constitutional rights had been violated by conditions at the prison. Specifically, the plaintiffs complained about deficiencies in the ar…

Inmates of the Wayne County Prison in Honesdale, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs, represented by Northern Pennsylvania Legal Services, asked the court for injunctive relief and damages, alleging that their constitutional rights had been violated by conditions at the prison. Specifically, the plaintiffs complained about deficiencies in the areas of mail delivery, the law library, exercise, hygienic products, maintenance of the commissary, medical care, recreational equipment, and grievance procedures.

On June 7, 1978, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (Judge Malcom Muir) declined to certify the plaintiffs as a class. On September 18, 1978, the court approved a settlement agreement, which addressed all issues except the payment of attorneys' fees. Under the agreement, the defendants were to pay each of the plaintiffs damages in the amount of $550.

On October 3, 1978, the court (Judge Muir) held that the plaintiffs should be awarded attorneys' fees, and ordered the defendants to pay the fees in the amount of $6820. The court then held that no award of other costs or extraordinary expenses would be awarded. Barrett v. Kalinowski, 458 F.Supp. 689 (M.D.Penn. 1978).

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (4/29/2006)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Bianco, David F. (Pennsylvania)

Bragg, O. Randolph (Pennsylvania)

Fields, Robert J. (Pennsylvania)

Hamill, Raymond L. (Indiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Hock, Jered L. (Pennsylvania)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:77-01129

Opinion

Nov. 20, 1978

Nov. 20, 1978

Order/Opinion

458 F.Supp. 458

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 15, 1977

Closing Date: Sept. 18, 1978

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Present and former inmates alleging violations of their constitutional rights

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (Honesdale), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

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: 1978 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Bathing and hygiene

Conditions of confinement

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Loss or damage to property

Mail

Phone

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Law library access

Library (non-law) access

Visiting

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run