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On April 16, 1998, an attorney from the Special Litigation section of the U.S. Department of Justice made a recommendation to the Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, that an investigation into conditions at the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa, be initiated under 42 U.S.C. § 1997, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). The recommendation memo indicated that there had been credible reports of constitutional violations of prisoners' rights, including inadequate mental health and medical care, inadequate suicide prevention, and staff abuse.
On May 8, 1998, the Department of Justice informed the Black Hawk County Jail that the Department of Justice was initiating an investigation of these allegations pursuant to CRIPA.
On January 4, 1999, the DOJ issued a findings letter concluding that conditions at the Jail violated the inmates' federal constitutional rights. Specifically, the DOJ found violations with respect to medical and mental health care, suicide prevention, inmate supervision and protection from harm, and improper use of the restraint chair. The DOJ also had serious concerns about excessive use of force. The DOJ identified remedial measures the Jail had to take to correct the deficiencies.
It appears the the Attorney General did not file a lawsuit. We have no further information regarding this case.
Summary Authors
Jaclyn Adams (3/3/2006)
Jessica Kincaid (4/9/2015)
Lee, Bill Lann (District of Columbia)
Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:47 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Iowa
Case Type(s):
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
Black Hawk County Jail (Waterloo, Black Hawk), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: