Case: CRIPA Investigation, Black Hawk County (IA)

No Court Case | No Court

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Case Summary

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, includ…

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)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Lee, Bill Lann (District of Columbia)

Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Memorandum: Recommendation to Investigate the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa

CRIPA Investigation

April 16, 1998

April 16, 1998

Internal memorandum

Notice Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa.

CRIPA Investigation

May 8, 1998

May 8, 1998

Notice Letter

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa

Jan. 4, 1999

Jan. 4, 1999

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

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

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Iowa

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

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):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Suicide prevention

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Mental health care, general

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run