Filed Date: May 1, 1972
Clearinghouse coding complete
In 1972, inmates at the Nevada State Prison filed a Section 1983 class action suit in the District of Nevada, pro se, against officials of the Nevada State Prisons. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants violated the Fourteenth Amendments' due process clause be denying them the right to call witnesses, produce evidence or obtain legal counsel during disciplinary proceedings within the prison. Plaintiffs also complained of denial of adequate medical care, mail privileges, and visiting privileges. Charles Zeh, Washington County Legal Aid Society, was appointed to represent the plaintiffs.
Following trial in April 1974, the District Court (Judge Bruce R. Thompson) held that prisoners who were subject to disciplinary proceedings were entitled to certain due process rights including the right to legal counsel. Judge Thompson also held that plaintiffs were not being denied adequate medical care and treatment. Craig v. Hocker, 405 F. Supp. 656 (D. Nev. 1975).
In July 1980, the parties filed a consent decree that required defendants to improve the living conditions of the prison, reform administrative segregation and classification procedures, reform mail regulations, and improve access to judicial process. As part of the consent decree, defendants also agreed to submit to the court, within 60 days, a plan for implementing the agreed changes.
The docket for this case is not available on PACER, and therefore our information ends with the consent decree, dated July 18, 1980.
Summary Authors
Eoghan Keenan (6/10/2005)
Hall, Cynthia Holcomb (California)
Lamboley, Paul (Nevada)
Adler, Ernest E. (Nevada)
Bryan, Richard (Nevada)
List, Robert (Nevada)
Hall, Cynthia Holcomb (California)
Thompson, Bruce Rutherford (Nevada)
Last updated March 19, 2024, 3:02 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Nevada
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 1, 1972
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
inmates at the Nevada State Prison
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Nevada State Prison (Carson City), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1980 - None
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Type of Facility: