Case: Robertson v. Block

2:82-01442 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: March 23, 1982

Closed Date: July 17, 1985

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This class action case about the conditions of confinement for gay prisoners in the L.A. County jail began in 1982, in the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California. It ended with a settlement, approved by the Court on July 17, 1985, that provided for such prisoners' housing in a special unit ("K-10"). The settlement also set out parameters for conditions in that unit, relating to exercise, meal service, telephones, clothing and hygiene, grievance procedures, dayroom access, visits, and transportation to court.

Summary Authors

Margo Schlanger (7/22/2009)

People


Judge(s)

Gray, William Percival (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hagar, John H. Jr. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Bennett, Frederick R. (California)

Clinton, DeWitt W. (California)

Judge(s)

Gray, William Percival (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:82-01442

Stipulation and Request for Dismissal: Order

July 17, 1985

July 17, 1985

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Feb. 28, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 23, 1982

Closing Date: July 17, 1985

Case Ongoing: Perhaps, but long-dormant

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Gay male prisoners in the L.A. County Jail

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Los Angeles Count (Los Angeles, Los Angeles), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

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: 1985 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Bathing and hygiene

Classification / placement

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Phone

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Grievance procedures

Sexual abuse by residents/inmates

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Type of Facility:

Government-run