Filed Date: April 15, 2020
Case Ongoing
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This putative class-action petition for writ of habeas corpus and mandamus was filed on April 15, 2020 in the Minnesota state district court for the Sixth Judicial District. The case was brought by several inmates at Moose Lake Correctional Facility in Carlton County, Minnesota. The case came about in response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Represented by lawyers from the ACLU of Minnesota and the state public defender's office, the petitioners brought suit against the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Commissioner Paul Schnell, Minnesota Correctional Facility -- Moose Lake, and Warden William Bolin. While the petition commended the state's performance in terms of containing the virus state-wide, they argued that the defendants were not taking adequate measures to protect their prison population. The petitioners contended this was particularly so in the Moose Lake detention center. According to the petition, the center had failed to promote adequate social distancing, supply PPE and sanitation devices, and had insufficient infrastructure to handle a mass outbreak among the population. They alleged that the center was therefore in violation of Minnesota common law duty of care, as well as the Minnesota state Constitution's guarantee of Due Process and prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. They also alleged that defendants violated Minnesota statutory law which required the penal system to set and abide by minimum health standards. The petitioners requested a writ of habeas corpus immediately releasing them from custody, a writ of mandamus to either require respondents to meet proper health standards or show cause, and to appoint a special master to help the parties establish and enforce rules governing the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also sought attorney's fees and costs.
The case was assigned to Judge Leslie Beiers. On July 13, 2020, the Court issued its order denying writs of mandamus and habeas corpus. With regard to habeas relief, the Court found that the DOC and Moose Lake center were not deliberately indifferent to the suffering of the inmates and had, in fact, taken numerous steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These steps sometimes included releasing inmates, implementing mask requirements, and increasing sanitation efforts. With respect to the writ of mandamus, the Court held that the respondents did not fail to perform a duty clearly imposed by law, because they had taken many steps to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the prison.
A week later, the petitioners appealed. The case is ongoing as of August 26, 2020.
Summary Authors
Jack Hibbard (8/26/2020)
Beiers, Leslie E. (Minnesota)
Bratlie, Ian (Minnesota)
Forrest, Steven Robert (Minnesota)
Lew, Dan (Minnesota)
Ellison, Keith (Minnesota)
Beiers, Leslie E. (Minnesota)
Last updated April 5, 2024, 3:08 a.m.
State / Territory: Minnesota
Case Type(s):
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Key Dates
Filing Date: April 15, 2020
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Three inmates at Moose Lake detention center in Minneapolis
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
Minnesota Department of Corrections, State
Minn. Dept. of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, State
Minnesota Correctional Facility -- Moose Lake, State
Moose Lake Warden William Bolin, State
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Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
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Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Sanitation / living conditions
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
COVID-19:
Type of Facility: