Case: DOJ Investigation of Sebastian County Adult Detention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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Case Summary

In March 2005, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq., commenced an investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center in Arkansas. Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at the Detention Center violated the constitutional rights of convicted inmates and pre-trial detainees. To remedy th…

In March 2005, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq., commenced an investigation into the conditions of confinement at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center in Arkansas.

Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at the Detention Center violated the constitutional rights of convicted inmates and pre-trial detainees. To remedy the unconstitutional practices, the DOJ issued a letter on May 9, 2006, advising Sebastian County officials to immediately implement certain measures necessary to provide inmates with adequate medical care, adequate mental health care, sufficient protection from harm, and safe environmental conditions.

In 2008, the DOJ and Sebastian County entered into a memorandum of agreement regarding the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center. The agreement required the Detention Center to improve general medical care, including intake and health assessments, chronic care, acute care, infection control, and administration and control of medication. The agreement also required improvements in mental health care, protection from harm, and environmental health, safety, and sanitation. The Detention Center was required to report semi-annually regarding conditions. The agreement was set to terminate four years after its implementation. There are no other documents regarding this investigation. The agreement ended in 2012.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/4/2008)

Jessica Kincaid (4/18/2015)

David Smellie (10/27/2016)

People


Judge(s)

Hudson, David (Arkansas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Becker, Grace Chung (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)

England, Sheridan Leigh (District of Columbia)

Kim, Wan J. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Re: Investigation of the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

DOJ Investigation of Sebastian County Adult Detention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

May 9, 2006

May 9, 2006

Findings Letter/Report

Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Justice and Sebastian County, Arkansas regarding the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center

Jan. 1, 2008

Jan. 1, 2008

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:39 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Arkansas

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Closing Date: 2012

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

U.S. 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

Sebastion County Adult Detention Center (Sebastian), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

General:

Restraints : chemical

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Medication, administration of

Mental health care, general

Tuberculosis

Type of Facility:

Government-run