In 1978, inmates at the Sebastian County jail filed a class action suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Eighth Amendment, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated by overcrowding and lack of exercise, inadequate diet, ...
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In 1978, inmates at the Sebastian County jail filed a class action suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Eighth Amendment, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated by overcrowding and lack of exercise, inadequate diet, forced exposure to religious witnessing, restricted visitation privileges, denial of access to newspapers, insufficient medical care, and inadequate security. The United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas (Judge Paul X. Williams) dismissed the class action.
The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit (Judge Gerald William Heaney) partially reversed and remanded, holding that the jail was unconstitutionally overcrowded and that many prisoners are deprived of exercise. Additionally, the court held that the diet was deficient, and inmates were being unconstitutionally exposed to religious witnessing against their will. On the other issues the 8th Circuit affirmed the District Court. Campbell v. Cauthron, 623 F.2d 503 (8th Cir. 1980). The docket was not available on PACER, and, accordingly, we do not have further information on the case.
David Terry - 03/08/2006
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