Case: CRIPA Investigation, Hammond (LA)

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Case Summary

On December 20, 1996, the U.S. Department of Justice notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of its intention to investigate the Hammond Developmental Center, a state-run facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, in Hammond, Louisiana, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1997 et seq. The Department of Justice suspected that the conditions of confinement at Hammond violated the residents' constitutional rights, …

On December 20, 1996, the U.S. Department of Justice notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of its intention to investigate the Hammond Developmental Center, a state-run facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, in Hammond, Louisiana, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1997 et seq. The Department of Justice suspected that the conditions of confinement at Hammond violated the residents' constitutional rights, and it asked the Health and Human Services officials for any complaints of abuse, neglect, and inappropriate use of restraints they may have received.

The investigation was initiated upon the recommendation of the Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice on October 16, 1996. That division had received calls from Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals describing abuse, neglect, and the use of chemical and physical restraints in lieu of adequate behavioral treatment; the Special Litigation Division had also separately received reports from residents' families containing similar details.

We have only the Department of Justice's letters in the file, so we have no further information about the outcome of the investigation or what actions, if any, the institution took to address the concerns.

Summary Authors

Laura Uberti (7/21/2006)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)

Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Memorandum re: Recommendation to Investigate Hammond Developmental Center, Hammond, Louisiana

CRIPA Investigation

Oct. 16, 1996

Oct. 16, 1996

Justification Memo

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of Hammond Developmental Center, Hammond, Louisiana

CRIPA Investigation

Dec. 20, 1996

Dec. 20, 1996

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:47 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Intellectual Disability (Facility)

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

Hammond Developmental Center (Hammond), State

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: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Neglect by staff

Restraints : chemical

Restraints : physical

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Disability and Disability Rights:

Developmental disability without intellectual disability

Type of Facility:

Government-run