Filed Date: Aug. 14, 1973
Closed Date: Sept. 8, 1975
Clearinghouse coding complete
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.
Summary Authors
Stacey Jensen (5/17/2006)
Hunter, Elmo Bolton (Missouri)
Fleming, Anne K. (Missouri)
Schiller, Wendy W. (Missouri)
Spiller, Dudley P. (Missouri)
Dean, Preston (Missouri)
Hunter, Elmo Bolton (Missouri)
Last updated March 18, 2024, 3:10 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Missouri
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 14, 1973
Closing Date: Sept. 8, 1975
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Juveniles at the State Board of Training Schools facility in Booneville, Missouri
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Training School for Boys in Boonville (Boonville), City
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
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: 1975 - None
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:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Type of Facility: