Case: CRIPA Investigation, Fircrest (WA)

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Case Summary

On February 6, 1992, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a report to the State of Washington on the findings of its investigation, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, of the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline, Washington. The investigation, conducted throughout 1991, revealed that practices at Fircrest, a state-run facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, violated the residents' constitutional rights. T…

On February 6, 1992, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a report to the State of Washington on the findings of its investigation, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, of the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline, Washington. The investigation, conducted throughout 1991, revealed that practices at Fircrest, a state-run facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, violated the residents' constitutional rights. The Center was found to neglect residents, to overuse and misuse physical restraints, and to discriminate against certain residents based on the severity of their handicaps. Furthermore, the Center failed to provide a safe environment, medical care, and a sufficient number of trained staff.

The government recommended that Fircrest improve residents' safety by increasing the number of trained staff able to supervise residents; developing and implementing individual treatment plans; providing adequate medical care; and curtailing its misuse of physical and chemical restraints.

We have only the government's report in the file, so we have no further information on this case.

Summary Authors

Laura Uberti (7/18/2006)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Dunne, John R. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings Letter re: Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center

CRIPA Investigation

Feb. 6, 1992

Feb. 6, 1992

Findings Letter/Report

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:43 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Washington

Case Type(s):

Intellectual Disability (Facility)

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

Washington Department of Social and Health Services, State

Firecrest Residential Habilitation Center, 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:

Classification / placement

Individualized planning

Neglect by staff

Restraints : chemical

Restraints : physical

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

Disability and Disability Rights:

Developmental disability without intellectual disability

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, unspecified

Type of Facility:

Government-run