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On May 3, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation of conditions at the Harrison County Youth Detention Center pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997 (CRIPA). The investigation was prompted by complaints of unsafe conditions at the detention center including physical abuse of the juveniles by detention officers, unsanitary living conditions, and inadequate educational, medical, and mental health facilities.
In its notice of findings on September 9, 1993, the Justice Department concluded that the following conditions and policies of HCJDC were in violation of the Constitution: (1) HCJDC's lack of on-site medical and mental health services; (2) failure to monitor suicidal individuals; (3) failure to provide hot water, pest control, adequate bedding, fire safety systems, food sanitation and out-of-cell time; and (4) overcrowding. At minimum, HCJDC was ordered to implement remedial measures including the provision of adequate medical and mental health care, safe and sanitary conditions, and adequate staff training and supervision. These letters are the only information we have on file regarding the investigation, and therefore we do not know what steps HCJDC took to remedy the violations.
Summary Authors
Stacey Jensen (5/17/2006)
Turner, James P. (District of Columbia)
Meadows, Joseph R. (Mississippi)
Payne, Robert A. (Mississippi)
Phillips, George L. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:40 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Mississippi
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Civil Rights Division Archival Collection
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States 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
Harrison County Youth Detention Center (Gulfport), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Unknown
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)
Affected Sex or Gender:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: