Case: CRIPA Investigation, Jackson (MS)

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Case Summary

From June 30 - July 2, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice conducted an investigation of the Hinds County Youth Detention Center in Jackson, Mississippi pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. The Justice Department issued its findings on November 17, 1993, which uncovered the following unconstitutional conditions: (1) inadequate on-site mental and medical health care; (2) inadequate suicide prevention measures; (3) inadequate supervisio…

From June 30 - July 2, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice conducted an investigation of the Hinds County Youth Detention Center in Jackson, Mississippi pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. The Justice Department issued its findings on November 17, 1993, which uncovered the following unconstitutional conditions: (1) inadequate on-site mental and medical health care; (2) inadequate suicide prevention measures; (3) inadequate supervision and staff training; and (4) deficient lighting, bedding and opportunities for exercise. The Hinds County Youth Detention Center was ordered to remedy the latter enumerated conditions according to an outline set forth by the Justice Department, stating the minimum procedures necessary. The letter warned that failure to comply would result in legal action against Hinds County.

The Justice Department noted, in finding inadequate supervision to exist, that a private lawsuit, Doe v. City of Jackson, had been filed alleging that juveniles had been sexually abused and raped by guards at the center.

We have no further information on steps the county took to address the problems.

Summary Authors

Stacey Jensen (5/17/2006)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Phillips, George L. (District of Columbia)

Turner, James P. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Haque, Ruma (Mississippi)

Scott, Leslie (Mississippi)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings Letter re: Jackson Hinds Youth Detention Center, Jackson, Mississippi

CRIPA Investigation

Nov. 17, 1993

Nov. 17, 1993

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:40 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Mississippi

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

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

Jackson, Mississippi, City

Jackson Hinds Youth Detention Center (Jackson), Private Entity/Person

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:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Suicide prevention

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Mental health care, general