Case: Mariscal v. Lowe

2:79-cv-00666 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 24, 1979

Closed Date: March 2, 1993

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In September 1979, prisoners in the Sacramento County jail system filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Sacramento County. The plaintiffs, represented by the Federal Defender, alleged that the County was denying their constitutional rights through overcrowding, lack of adequate fire safety and other safety precautions, and lack of adequate medical services and program opportunities. The parties reached a settlement and the Distric…

In September 1979, prisoners in the Sacramento County jail system filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Sacramento County. The plaintiffs, represented by the Federal Defender, alleged that the County was denying their constitutional rights through overcrowding, lack of adequate fire safety and other safety precautions, and lack of adequate medical services and program opportunities.

The parties reached a settlement and the District Court approved it, issuing a consent decree on September 18, 1981. The decree required the County to: (1) reduce the overcrowding in the main jail to a maximum population of 479 by December 31, 1983; (2) eliminate the fire hazards and other dangers in the main jail by September 17, 1982 or sooner; (3) provide adequate medical facilities and program space in the main jail and Annex to comply with California minimum jail standards by September 17, 1982 or sooner; and (4) construct a new main jail to replace the existing main jail as soon as financially possible. The court retained jurisdiction in the case and required the County to submit quarterly progress reports.

In 1985, the population cap was modified to allow a maximum of 681 prisoners in the main jail. As of the time of this writing, we have no further information on this case.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (8/16/2012)

People


Judge(s)

Hollows, Gregory G. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Huff, Richard L. (California)

Judge(s)

Hollows, Gregory G. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:79-cv-00666

Docket [PACER]

Mariscal v. Sacramento County

March 2, 1993

March 2, 1993

Docket

Resources

Docket

Last updated Feb. 22, 2024, 3:09 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

California Jail Population Caps

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 24, 1979

Closing Date: March 2, 1993

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

prisoners in the Sacramento County jail system

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

County of Sacramento (Sacramento), County

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

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: 1981 - None

Content of Injunction:

Reporting

Issues

General:

Education

Fire safety

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Pre-PLRA Population Cap

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run