Case: M.C.I. Concord Advisory Bd. v. Hall

1:75-01463 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: April 16, 1975

Closed Date: Sept. 28, 1978

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Case Summary

The Massachusetts Correctional Institution (M.C.I.) in Concord's Advisory Board filed this lawsuit on behalf of all inmates at M.C.I. Concord under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, arguing that the inmates' constitutional rights were being violated by inadequacies in the areas of medical care, overcrowding, sanitation, rehabilitation, and ph…

The Massachusetts Correctional Institution (M.C.I.) in Concord's Advisory Board filed this lawsuit on behalf of all inmates at M.C.I. Concord under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, arguing that the inmates' constitutional rights were being violated by inadequacies in the areas of medical care, overcrowding, sanitation, rehabilitation, and physical safety. On March 21, 1978 Judge Andrew Caffrey granted partial injunctive relief, holding that the plaintiffs had proven that incarceration of inmates in protective custody cells, awaiting action cells, and institutional holding cells, violated the inmates' constitutional rights, but he also held that the plaintiffs had failed to establish that double celling in one area and use of a hospital wardroom for a dormitory violated inmate rights. M.C.I. Concord Advisory Board v. Hall, 447 F.Supp. 398 (D.Mass. 1978).

The plaintiffs moved for attorneys' fees. On September 28, 1978, Judge Caffrey granted the plaintiff's motion, holding that the plaintiffs were the prevailing party and their attorneys' were entitled to fees. We do not know the total of these fees. M.C.I. Concord Advisory Board v. Hall, 457 F.Supp. 911 (D.Mass. 1978).

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (7/29/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Caffrey, Andrew Augustine (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bass, Stanley A. (New York)

Greenberg, Jack (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Bromberg, Lee Carl (Massachusetts)

Hotchkiss, Andra R. (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:75-01463

Opinion

March 21, 1978

March 21, 1978

Order/Opinion

447 F.Supp. 447

1:75-01463

Memorandum and Order

Sept. 28, 1978

Sept. 28, 1978

Order/Opinion

457 F.Supp. 457

Docket

Last updated Jan. 25, 2024, 3:12 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 16, 1975

Closing Date: Sept. 28, 1978

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Prisoners challenging conditions of confinement at a state correctional institution

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Unknown

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

Massachusetts Department of Corrections (Concord ), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Equal Protection

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1978 - None

Issues

General:

Bathing and hygiene

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run