Filed Date: May 12, 1978
Closed Date: March 14, 1996
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In 1978, a group of Madison County inmates filed a section 1983 class action suit against Madison County officials in the District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. The inmates challenged nearly every aspect of jail conditions. In 1980 or 1981, the district court accepted an interim consent agreement reached by the parties and entered an interim judgment. The consent agreement concerned issues such as nutrition, visitation, disciplinary rules, medical attention, and access to attorneys.
One year later, the district court referred the case to a United States Magistrate Judge for entry of judgment. The Magistrate Judge entered a final judgment.
In 1989, the Madison County officials filed a motion for relief from the original consent agreement because the County had built a new jail, altering the conditions and procedures of the jail. In response, the plaintiffs not only opposed the motion, but also moved to hold the officials in contempt of court for violating the decree. The Magistrate Judge held that the Madison County officials were in contempt of court and denied their motion for relief from judgment. The officials appealed.
In 1994, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the Magistrate Judge's decision. Cooper v. Noble, 33 F.3d 540 (5th Cir. 1994). Two months after the decision, the Fifth Circuit supplemented its earlier decision, holding that the Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 does not apply to Defendants' appeal. Cooper v. Noble, 41 F.3d 212 (5th Cir. 1994).
Plaintiffs' counsel then sought attorney's fees. The court determined the proper amount of attorney's fees and the attorneys appealed the decision. Cooper v. Hopkins, 945 F. Supp. 940 (S.D. Miss. 1995). The Fifth Circuit heard the appeal and affirmed the decision of the District Court. Cooper v. Pentecost, 77 F.3d 829 (5th Cir. 1996).
Summary Authors
Lauren Cutson (5/19/2005)
Duhe, John Malcolm Jr. (Louisiana)
Garza, Emilio M. (Texas)
Higginbotham, Aloyisus Leon Jr. (Pennsylvania)
Hinds, Lennox S. (Mississippi)
Cowan, Rebecca Barge (Mississippi)
Duhe, John Malcolm Jr. (Louisiana)
Garza, Emilio M. (Texas)
Higginbotham, Aloyisus Leon Jr. (Pennsylvania)
Wingate, Henry Travillion (Mississippi)
Last updated March 16, 2024, 3:06 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Mississippi
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 12, 1978
Closing Date: March 14, 1996
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
inmates at the Madison County Jail in Mississippi
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Madison County Jai (Madison), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1978 - 1996
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Discrimination-basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Type of Facility: