Case: DOJ CRIPA Investigation, Enid and Paul's Valley State Schools (OK)

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Case Summary

In April 1982, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated an investigation of conditions at Enid State School and Paul's Valley State School in Oklahoma pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. §1997.The DOJ investigation consisted of tours of Enid and Paul's Valley State Schools ("ESS" and "PVSS") by a physician, an educational psychologist, and DOJ personnel.In May 1983, the DOJ issued its findings letter regarding the condition…

In April 1982, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated an investigation of conditions at Enid State School and Paul's Valley State School in Oklahoma pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. §1997.

The DOJ investigation consisted of tours of Enid and Paul's Valley State Schools ("ESS" and "PVSS") by a physician, an educational psychologist, and DOJ personnel.

In May 1983, the DOJ issued its findings letter regarding the conditions at ESS and PVSS. The letter indicated that the DOJ believed that a pattern or practice of egregious and flagrant conditions causing grievous harm to the residents existed at both institutions. The DOJ cited the following deficiencies: inadequate medical services, lack minimally adequate training to enable residents to live in a reasonably safe environment free of undue bodily, numerous incidents of physical abuse of residents by staff, inadequate environmental conditions and lack of community placement. The DOJ outlined remedial action to be taken at both institutions.

On July 31, 1984, the DOJ met with representatives from the State Department of Human Services to review corrective action taken at ESS and PVSS. The DOJ also retoured both facilities. Thereafter, additional corrective measures were taken and the DOJ formally closed its investigation in January of 1985.

On September 17, 1985, the DOJ notified the State that conditions at PVSS still needed improvement. Those areas included: 1) minimally adequate training to ensure that PVSS residents are free from undue risks to their personal safety; (2) a sufficient number of competent and qualified staff to provide adequate care and necessary medical attention to the PVSS residents; and 3) prescription and review of behavior management drugs.

In May 1986, the DOJ notified the State that it was closing its investigation as it determined that PVSS had undertaken sufficient remedial efforts to eliminate the areas of concern.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (3/15/2007)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Reynolds, William Bradford (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Site Visit Report of Enid State School and Paul's Valley State School

CRIPA Investigation

June 11, 1982

June 11, 1982

Monitor/Expert/Receiver Report

Findings Letter re: Enid State School and Paul's Valley State Schools, Enid and Paul's Valley, Oklahoma

CRIPA Investigation

May 23, 1983

May 23, 1983

Findings Letter/Report

Correspondence re: Enid State School and Paul's Valley State Schools, Enid and Paul's Valley, Oklahoma

CRIPA Investigation

Jan. 25, 1985

Jan. 25, 1985

Correspondence

Findings Letter re: Paul's Valley State School

CRIPA Investigation

May 2, 1986

May 2, 1986

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:47 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Oklahoma

Case Type(s):

Intellectual Disability (Facility)

Key Dates

Closing Date: 1986

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Unknown

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

Enid State School (Enid), State

Paul's Valley State School (Paul's Valley), State

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: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Issues

General:

Juveniles

Neglect by staff

Record-keeping

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Medicare eligibility determination

Type of Facility:

Government-run