Case: DOJ CRIPA Investigation of the Norfolk City Jail (VA)

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Case Summary

On October 27, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice commenced an investigation of the conditions at the Norfolk City Jail (NCJ) pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"), 42 U.S.C. §1997 et. seq. Based its investigation, the DOJ concluded that conditions at the NCJ were grossly deficient and violated the constitutional rights of prisoners, including inadequate medical care, inadequate fire safety, lack of out-of-cell time, unsanitary living conditions, excessive ov…

On October 27, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice commenced an investigation of the conditions at the Norfolk City Jail (NCJ) pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"), 42 U.S.C. §1997 et. seq. Based its investigation, the DOJ concluded that conditions at the NCJ were grossly deficient and violated the constitutional rights of prisoners, including inadequate medical care, inadequate fire safety, lack of out-of-cell time, unsanitary living conditions, excessive overcrowding, and inadequate access to legal materials.

The DOJ notified officials of the City of Norfolk, VA, of its findings on August 4, 1994, and subsequently attempted to reach an amicable resolution of the matter short of litigation. The City refused to enter into a settlement agreement or submit the case to ADR.

The DOJ prepared a Complaint to be filed against the City of Norfolk for the conditions of confinement at NCJ. However, the PACER electronic docketing system does not show a record of a case styled U.S.A. v. City of Norfolk having been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The 2000 DOJ Annual Report states that the investigation was closed that fiscal year.

We have no further information.

Summary Authors

Jessica Kincaid (4/6/2015)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, Shanneta Y. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Breit, Jeffrey (Virginia)

Fahey, Helen F. (Virginia)

Gilmore, James S. III (Virginia)

Melson, Kenneth E. (Virginia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Letter re: Intent to Investigate Conditions at Norfolk City Jail

CRIPA Investigation

Oct. 27, 1993

Oct. 27, 1993

Notice Letter

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of Norfolk City Jail, Norfolk, Virginia

CRIPA Investigation

Aug. 3, 1994

Aug. 3, 1994

Findings Letter/Report

Memorandum re: Proposed CRIPA Lawsuit Norfolk City Jail, Norfolk, Virginia

CRIPA Investigation

Sept. 3, 1996

Sept. 3, 1996

Other

Complaint

U.S. v. City of Norfolk, VA

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Sept. 16, 1996

Sept. 16, 1996

Complaint

Docket

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

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Virginia

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Civil Rights Division Archival Collection

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Norfolk City Jail (Norfolk), City

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:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Bathing and hygiene

Fire safety

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run