In May 1994, inmates at Ely State Prison, represented by the ACLU National Prison Project, filed a Section 1983 class action suit in the District of Nevada, against officials of the Nevada Department of Prisons. Plaintiffs claimed that Defendants deliberately subjected them to injury and risk of injury from a ""shoot to injure"" policy enforced in non-threatening situations. Plaintiffs also complained of inadequate medical and mental health care, denial of meaningful access to the court, and visitation hardships.

Following protracted discovery, the parties filed a joint stipulation dismissing all of the plaintiffs' claims except those regarding mental health care and the use of live ammunition at the prison. Following expert evaluations and efforts by defendants to address plaintiffs' concerns, plaintiffs moved for voluntary dismissal without prejudice in July 1997. Limited litigation regarding attorney's fees continued until 1999. The case was dismissed in February 2000.

Eoghan Keenan - 06/10/2005


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