Case: Collins v. Schoonfield

1:71-cv-00500 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: May 7, 1971

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Case Summary

In 1971, eight pre-trial detainees filed a complaint against the Wardens of Baltimore City Jail and members of the Board of the jail. All plaintiffs sought equitable relief and all but one sought damages as well. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Judge Frank Kaufman) granted class certification and separated the equitable issues from the issues as to damages. The court addressed eleven equitable issues, including solitary confinement procedures, punishment for constitutio…

In 1971, eight pre-trial detainees filed a complaint against the Wardens of Baltimore City Jail and members of the Board of the jail. All plaintiffs sought equitable relief and all but one sought damages as well. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Judge Frank Kaufman) granted class certification and separated the equitable issues from the issues as to damages. The court addressed eleven equitable issues, including solitary confinement procedures, punishment for constitutionally protected behavior, procedural due process, mail censorship, medical conditions, food, non-legal visitation and phone calls, practices adversely affecting trial preparation and effective representation by counsel, books, religious freedom, and equal protection. In 1972, the court issued interim decrees, ordering defendants to abate their unconstitutional practices in accordance with the court's findings regarding the eleven issues. Collins v. Schoonfield, 344 F. Supp 257 (D. Md. 1972).

At a separate trial in 1972 a different judge (Judge Alexander Harvey II) heard the issues regarding damages. Five plaintiffs complained that their time in solitary confinement constituted excessive and cruel and unusual punishment and violated their due process rights. The court found in favor of the defendants on all issues. Collins v. Schoonfield, 363 F. Supp. 1152 (D. Md. 1973).

In April 1981, this case was consolidated with Duvall v. Glendening. Subsequent history is described at that link.

Summary Authors

Lauren Cutson (5/19/2005)

Related Cases

Duvall v. Glendening (Duvall v. Hogan), District of Maryland (1994)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Bass, Stanley A. (New York)

Coshnear, Lawrence B. (Maryland)

Elder, Michael S. (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Caplan, Hilary D. (Maryland)

Chlan, Charles E. (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:71-cv-00500

Reported Opinion

May 15, 1972

May 15, 1972

Order/Opinion

344 F.Supp. 344

1:71-cv-00500

Reported Opinion

Sept. 18, 1973

Sept. 18, 1973

Order/Opinion

363 F.Supp. 363

Resources

Docket

Last updated Jan. 29, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 7, 1971

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

pre-trial detainees in the Baltimore City Jail

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

City of Baltimore (Baltimore City), City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1971 - 1973

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Disciplinary procedures

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Phone

Religious programs / policies

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Disciplinary segregation

Law library access

Library (non-law) access

Visiting

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run