Filed Date: May 28, 1967
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On May 28, 1967, Robert Courtney filed a pro-se lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, alleging cruel and unusual treatment while he was held in solitary confinement at Cummins Farm, an Arkansas state prison. Private counsel was assigned to represent Plaintiff, and a second complaint, which was based on another placement in solitary confinement subsequent to filing of the first complaint, was filed on December 18, 1967, and was incorporated into the first complaint. Plaintiff was specifically alleging that he was arbitrarily placed in solitary confinement, and was deprived of adequate and sanitary food, medical and psychiatric treatment, and was beaten by prison officials.
On January 26, 1968, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Judge Oren Harris) dismissed the complaint, finding that Plaintiff had not been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. Plaintiff was not arbitrarily held in solitary confinement; rather, he was confined the first time for being intoxicated and scratching another inmate, and the second time for stabbing another inmate twice in the back. On the other issues, the court found that the Plaintiff had failed to prove cruel and unusual treatment.
On April 21, 1969, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Judge Marion Charles Matthes) affirmed. Courtney v. Bishop, 409 F.2d 1185 (8th Cir. 1969). On November 10, 1969, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari. Courtney v. Bishop, 90 S.Ct. 235 (1969).
Summary Authors
Megan Raynor (4/2/2006)
Matthes, Marion Charles (Missouri)
Robinson, Robert L. Jr. (Missouri)
Langston, Don (Arkansas)
Lyon, Philip K. (Arkansas)
Purcell, Joe (Arkansas)
Matthes, Marion Charles (Missouri)
Last updated March 26, 2024, 3:14 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Arkansas
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 28, 1967
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Prisoner alleging cruel and unusual treatment inflicted upon him during solitary confinement in state penal institution
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Arkansas State Penitentiary, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)
Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: