Filed Date: Aug. 20, 2018
Closed Date: Oct. 24, 2019
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In August 2018, the plaintiff, a prisoner at the Montana Women’s Prison, alleged that the Prison discriminated against her based on her religion, gender, and disability. Her religious discrimination claims were based on allegations that the Prison denied her a Jehovah’s Witness bible and allowed other religious groups to use the prison chapel for worship services but denied the Jehovah’s Witness’s request. She also alleged that the Montana State Prison provided male prisoners more opportunities to learn trade skills than female prisoners. Finally, the plaintiff alleged that she suffered from a condition that caused her to fall easily. She requested a handicap-accessible shower and alleged that the denial constituted a failure to provide a reasonable accommodation.
In February 2019, the Montana Human Rights Bureau reported finding insufficient evidence to sustain the first two claims and the disability claim, but found reasonable cause to believe that access to the prison chapel was granted in a discriminatory manner.
The parties settled in October 2019. The Montana Women’s Prison agreed to pay the plaintiff $1,000 and pay $4,400 in attorneys’ fees. The settlement also stipulated that a warden must undergo training on religious rights and the prison must determine if there were any other instances of discrimination in the past year and, if so, propose a solution. Montana Women’s Prison agreed to allow prisoners to attend religious services even if they are prohibited from other activities like Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or yoga. Finally, the Prison agreed to purchase a typewriter for the plaintiff to use in her cell.
Summary Authors
Justin Hill (3/8/2020)
Holm, Eric E. (Montana)
Eakin, Ira (Montana)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:46 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Montana
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 20, 2018
Closing Date: Oct. 24, 2019
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff was a prisoner in the Montana Women's Prison.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Montana Women's Prison (Billings, Yellowstone), State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Amount Defendant Pays: 5400
Order Duration: 2019 - None
Content of Injunction:
Provide antidiscrimination training
Issues
General:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination-basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Affected Sex or Gender:
Type of Facility: