Case: CRIPA Investigation, Miles City (MT)

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Case Summary

In 1991 the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation of the Pine Hills School for Boys pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act 42 U.S. § 1997 et seq. Following two site visits in December 1991 and January 1992, the Justice Department issued a findings letter on September 28, 1992, which concluded that the conditions and policies at the facility violated the constitutional rights of the confined juveniles. The investigation revealed that there were not sufficient …

In 1991 the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation of the Pine Hills School for Boys pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act 42 U.S. § 1997 et seq. Following two site visits in December 1991 and January 1992, the Justice Department issued a findings letter on September 28, 1992, which concluded that the conditions and policies at the facility violated the constitutional rights of the confined juveniles. The investigation revealed that there were not sufficient security personnel in place for adequate supervision, and as a result juveniles engaged in such dangerous activities as the inhalation of cleaning supplies, among other things. The fire safety precautions in the buildings, and cleanliness in the living and food service areas were deficient. The mental health care provided was inadequate; there was no psychiatric supervision of the medical services, the use of psychotropic medications was not consistent with generally accepted standards, and there was a high risk of suicide among the juveniles. Additionally, the investigation uncovered the misuse of seclusion after the inappropriate behavior of the juvenile had been adjusted, and the arbitrary imposition of discipline without appropriate monitoring.

The Department of Justice stated that remedial measures needed to be taken to ensure the constitutional rights of the confined juveniles. Those measures included the improvement of security measures and supervision of juveniles to ensure reasonably safe conditions were provided, the elimination of fire safety and sanitation hazards, the development and implementation of a mental health care system to meet the serious needs of the juveniles, the revision of standards for the use of seclusion, restraint, and the imposition of discipline, and the granting of access to telephones and writing materials that were required by constitutional standards.

We have no additional information on this investigation, or any communications or proceedings that may have followed.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (11/8/2007)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Dunne, John R. (Montana)

Attorney for Defendant

Poppler, Doris Swords (Montana)

Racicot, Marc (Montana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings Letter re: Pine Hills School for Boys, Miles City, Montana

CRIPA Investigation

Sept. 28, 1992

Sept. 28, 1992

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:40 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Montana

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Special Collection(s):

Civil Rights Division Archival Collection

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No

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

State of Montana, State

Pine Hills School for Boys (Miles City), None

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Bathing and hygiene

Disciplinary procedures

Fire safety

Mail

Phone

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Suicide prevention

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Disciplinary segregation

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Medication, administration of

Mental health care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run