Case: DOJ Investigation: Wicomico County Detention Center Salisbury, MD

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Case Summary

In October 2000, 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 Wicomico County Detention Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at the Detention Center violated the constitutional rights of convicted inmates, pre-trial detainees and Immigra…

In October 2000, 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 Wicomico County Detention Center in Salisbury, Maryland.

Based on its investigation, the DOJ concluded that the conditions and practices at the Detention Center violated the constitutional rights of convicted inmates, pre-trial detainees and Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS") detainees. Specifically, the DOJ found deficiencies in the following areas: (1) medical care (specifically chronic care, access to medical care for inmates and detainees in segregation, and tuberculosis screening); (2) mental health care, (specifically mental health treatment and medication distribution); (3) inmate and detainee safety; (4) environmental health and safety; and (5) overcrowding.

On September 9, 2002, the DOJ issued a letter advising Wicomico County of minimum measures it should implement in order to remedy the constitutional violations. Wicomico County agreed to the suggested reforms and, in July of 2004, entered into a Settlement Agreement with the DOJ. The Agreement set forth specific reforms and improvements to be implemented in several areas, including the areas of (1) medical and mental health care, (2) use of force, (3) security staffing and training, (4) inmate classification, (5) food service, (6) sanitation and maintenance of the physical plant, and (7) personal hygiene and laundry service. By its terms, the Agreement was to last for two years, during which time Wicomico County would make periodic progress reports to the DOJ.

We have no further information on this matter.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/11/2008)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)

Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Baker, Edgar A. Jr. (Maryland)

Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Cooper, Owen B. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Re: Wicomico County Detention Center

Sept. 9, 2002

Sept. 9, 2002

Findings Letter/Report

Settlement Agreement Between the U.S. Department of Justice and Wicomico County, Maryland Regarding the Wicomico County Detention Center

July 16, 2004

July 16, 2004

Settlement Agreement

Docket

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

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Wicomico County Detention Center (Wicomico), County

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: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 2004 - 2006

Issues

General:

Bathing and hygiene

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Restraints : chemical

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Male

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Medical care, unspecified

Medication, administration of

Mental health care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run