Filed Date: Aug. 20, 1997
Closed Date: July 10, 2000
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In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Clay County of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In 1995, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the Chairman of the Clay County Commission of its findings and made recommendations regarding construction of a new jail; staffing and supervision; exercise; access to religious services, courts, and reading material; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; general sanitation; fire safety; plumbing; bedding supplies; food services; and plumbing. Apparently after negotiation, the Attorney General filed an action under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. section 1997 et seq., against the jail. Six days later, the District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Judge Hugh Lawson) issued a consent decree. The consent decree laid out steps the county must take to improve issues discussed in the DOJ's letter of findings and recommendations. According to the docket from PACER, the court adopted the consent decree as judgment in 1997 and dismissed the case in 2000.
Summary Authors
Lauren Cutson (5/21/2005)
Elliott, James Robert (Georgia)
Aderhold, Hugh Randolph Jr. (Georgia)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Cheng, Christopher N. (District of Columbia)
Deutsch, David (District of Columbia)
Elliott, James Robert (Georgia)
Lawson, Hugh (Georgia)
Aderhold, Hugh Randolph Jr. (Georgia)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Cheng, Christopher N. (District of Columbia)
Deutsch, David (District of Columbia)
Nelson, Mellie H. (District of Columbia)
Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)
Pinzler, Isabelle Katz (District of Columbia)
Last updated April 2, 2024, 3:06 a.m.
State / Territory: Georgia
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Post-PLRA enforceable consent decrees
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 20, 1997
Closing Date: July 10, 2000
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Clay County Jail (Clay), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1997 - 2000
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: