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Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse
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Case Name
U.S. v. Clay County
JC-GA-0010
Docket / Court
4:97-cv-151 ( M.D. Ga. )
State/Territory
Georgia
Case Type(s)
Jail Conditions
Special Collection
Post-PLRA enforceable consent decrees
Case Summary
In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Clay County of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In 1995, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the Chairman of the Clay County Commission of its findings and made recommendations regarding construction of a new ...
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In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Clay County of its intention to investigate conditions of the county jail. In 1995, following the investigation, the DOJ notified the Chairman of the Clay County Commission of its findings and made recommendations regarding construction of a new jail; staffing and supervision; exercise; access to religious services, courts, and reading material; medical and mental healthcare; suicide prevention; general sanitation; fire safety; plumbing; bedding supplies; food services; and plumbing. Apparently after negotiation, the Attorney General filed an action under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. section 1997 et seq., against the jail. Six days later, the District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Judge Hugh Lawson) issued a consent decree. The consent decree laid out steps the county must take to improve issues discussed in the DOJ's letter of findings and recommendations. According to the docket from PACER, the court adopted the consent decree as judgment in 1997 and dismissed the case in 2000.
Lauren Cutson - 05/21/2005
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Issues and Causes of Action
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Issues
General
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Counseling
Disciplinary procedures
Fire safety
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Law library access
Recreation / Exercise
Religious programs / policies
Sanitation / living conditions
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Suicide prevention
Medical/Mental Health
Medical care, general
Mental health care, general
Suicide prevention
Plaintiff Type
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Type of Facility
Government-run
Causes of Action
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. ยง 1997 et seq.
Case Details
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Defendant(s)
Clay County Jail
Plaintiff Description
United States Department of Justice
Class action status sought
No
Class action status granted
No
Filed Pro Se
No
Prevailing Party
Plaintiff
Public Int. Lawyer
Yes
Nature of Relief
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief
Settlement
Form of Settlement
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration
1997 - 2000
Filed
08/20/1997
Case Closing Year
2000
Case Ongoing
No
Additional Resources
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An Analysis of CRIPA Findings Letters Issued to Jails for Constitutional Violations by the Department of Justice
Date: Apr. 15, 2016
By: Jeff Mellow, Bryce E. Peterson & Mijin Kim (John Jay College of Criminal Justice Faculty)
Citation: Am. J. Crim. Just. (April 2016)
[ Detail ]
[ External Link ]
Documents
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Court
Docket(s)
M.D. Ga.
07/10/2000
4:97-cv-00151-HL
JC-GA-0010-9000.pdf
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Detail
Source: PACER [Public Access to Court Electronic Records]
General Documents
M.D. Ga.
06/01/1995
Findings Letter re: Investigation of Clay County Jail
JC-GA-0010-0001.pdf
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Detail
M.D. Ga.
08/15/1997
Certificate of the Attorney General
JC-GA-0010-0002.pdf
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Detail
M.D. Ga.
08/20/1997
Complaint
JC-GA-0010-0003.pdf
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Detail
M.D. Ga.
08/20/1997
Consent Decree
JC-GA-0010-0004.pdf
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Detail
M.D. Ga.
08/26/1997
Order
JC-GA-0010-0005.pdf
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Detail
People
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Judges
Elliott, James Robert
(M.D. Ga.)
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JC-GA-0010-0005
Lawson, Hugh
(M.D. Ga.)
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JC-GA-0010-9000
Plaintiff's Lawyers
Aderhold, Hugh Randolph Jr.
(Georgia)
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JC-GA-0010-0003 | JC-GA-0010-0004 | JC-GA-0010-9000
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y.
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0003 | JC-GA-0010-0004
Nelson, Mellie H.
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0003 | JC-GA-0010-0004
Patrick, Deval L.
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0001
Pinzler, Isabelle Katz
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0003 | JC-GA-0010-0004
Reno, Janet
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0002 | JC-GA-0010-0003
Rosenbaum, Steven H.
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0003 | JC-GA-0010-0004
Defendant's Lawyers
Mills, William Harry
(Georgia)
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JC-GA-0010-9000
Other Lawyers
Deutsch, David
(District of Columbia)
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JC-GA-0010-0004
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