Deplorable conditions at the State Board of Training Schools Facility in Booneville, Missouri (hereinafter T.S.B.) incited plaintiff Fredericka Harris to file a lawsuit in August 1973 against the Superintendent of T.S.B. on behalf of her minor son, Lavon Harris, and other residents of T.S.B. similarly situated. Filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Central Division, Ms. Harris' complaint was in regard to the use and conditions of eighteen cells on the second and third floors of T.S.B. The plaintiff was represented by the National Juvenile Law Center at St. Louis University School of Law and private counsel.

The cells were used as maximum-security confinement units to segregate certain juveniles from the general T.S.B. population for disciplinary purposes. Only 6'6'' wide, the cells were dimly lit, lacked ventilation and were filthy. Inmates were denied recreation, exercise, religious services, necessities (soap, towels, etc.) and daily showers.

The Court (Judge Elmo Hunter) ordered the parties to negotiate, but negotiations broke down in 1974 due to a government reorganization. On September 5, 1974, the Court substituted and dismissed appropriate parties and negotiations resumed.

On September 8, 1975, the Court (Judge Hunter) approved a consent decree between the parties whereby the defendant agreed to twenty provisions set forth by the plaintiff. Harris v. Bell, 402 F. Supp. 469 (W.D. Mo. 1975). The decree provided that conditions and provisions of the incarceration units be brought into compliance with constitutional standards, including affording accused juveniles with due process before an impartial panel of staff-members, as well as setting the maximum time for incarceration in the units at seven days.

We have no further information about this case.

Stacey Jensen - 05/17/2006


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