On June 29, 1999, the United States issued a findings letter concluding its investigation of the Wyoming State Penitentiary pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997 (CRIPA), in which it found that certain conditions violated the constitutional rights of the inmates. Wyoming denied that any conditions at the facility violated the rights of the inmates, however it agreed to enter into a settlement agreement to implement the recommendations of the United States for improving the facility. When the United States initiated its investigation, the facility consisted of one compound, "North Facility." During the course of the investigation, the State completed construction of a new compound: "South Facility." Pursuant to the agreement, the State agreed to vacate the North Facility until such time as the life safety and other structural concerns regarding the new facility were remedied.

The agreement, which was implemented after April 2000, included provisions covering the following remedial measures: a) medical care policy, procedures, and staffing; b) mental health staffing, screening, administrative and punitive segregation, medication and treatment; c) security; d) fire safety; and e) monitoring of compliance with the settlement. The United States District Court for the District of Wyoming had jurisdiction over the matter for one year after both parties agreed that the State had substantially complied with the agreement.

No further information or materials on the case are available.

Rebecca Bloch - 03/19/2006


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