Case: CRIPA Investigation, Washington County (MD)

No Court Case | No Court

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Case Summary

In 1996, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice notified Washington County, Maryland that the Department intended to investigate the county's Detention Center for unconstitutional jail conditions. The DOJ was particularly concerned with inadequate suicide prevention at the Detention Center but also with overcrowding and unsanitary conditions; inadequate medical care, nutrition, and opportunities for exercise; lack of access to the courts; physical and verbal abuse by staff; and failure to respond to inmate grievances.

In 1997, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the President of the Board of its findings and made recommendations regarding suicide prevention, medical care, opportunities for outdoor exercise, hygiene in intake, sanitation in the female housing unit, and access to the courts. It appears that the Attorney General did not file suit against the Detention Center, so there was never a court proceeding.

Summary Authors

Lauren Cutson (5/19/2005)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Patrick, Deval L. (District of Columbia)

Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Memorandum: Proposed CRIPA Investigation of the Washington County Detention Center, Hagerstown, Maryland

CRIPA Investigation

March 7, 1996

March 7, 1996

Findings Letter/Report

Notice Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Washington County Detention Center, Hagerstown, Maryland

CRIPA Investigation

April 22, 1996

April 22, 1996

Notice Letter

Memorandum re: Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Washington County Detention Center, Hagerstown, Maryland

CRIPA Investigation

March 27, 1997

March 27, 1997

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:30 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Washington County Detention Center (Hagerstown, Washington), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Classification / placement

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Suicide prevention

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run