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 Maryland District Court (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).

There is no docket available for this case on PACER, and therefore our information ends with the last reported decision in 1973.

Lauren Cutson - 05/19/2005


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