Case: Mathis v. Henderson

80-7779 | New York state trial court

Filed Date: July 7, 1980

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Case Summary

On July 7, 1980, prisoners of the state of New York filed a lawsuit under Article 78 of the New York Corrections Rules and Regulations against the New York State Department of Corrections in the New York Supreme Court. The plaintiffs, who were represented by Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, alleged that their rights had been violated by the unconstitutional deprivation of "outdoor exercise." The plaintiffs, who who were permitted to exercise outside of their cells for at least one hour e…

On July 7, 1980, prisoners of the state of New York filed a lawsuit under Article 78 of the New York Corrections Rules and Regulations against the New York State Department of Corrections in the New York Supreme Court. The plaintiffs, who were represented by Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, alleged that their rights had been violated by the unconstitutional deprivation of "outdoor exercise." The plaintiffs, who who were permitted to exercise outside of their cells for at least one hour each day in any one of four rooms located above special housing unit at correctional facility, were denied the ability to exercise outdoors. The state regulation provided that weather providing, exercise must be out of doors.

On December 5, 1980, the New York Supreme Court (Judge Peter E. Corning) granted injunctive relief to the plaintiffs, finding that their rights had been violated. The court then ordered the defendants to comply with the regulations regarding outdoor exercise, concluding that the exercise that was provided was not "outdoors" as mandated by the regulation. Mathis v. Henderson, 437 N.Y.S.2d 34 (N.Y.S. Dec. 5, 1980). The court required the facility to submit a plan to the court for outdoor exercise in complaince with the regulation. We have no further information on the proceedings in this case.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (10/31/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Corning, Peter E. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Colavito, Maria (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Barry, Edwin (New York)

Judge(s)

Corning, Peter E. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

80-7779

Decision

Dec. 5, 1980

Dec. 5, 1980

Order/Opinion

437 N.Y.S.2d 437

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:30 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 7, 1980

Case Ongoing: Unknown

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Inmates who were permitted to exercise outside of their cells for at least one hour each day in any one of four rooms located above special housing unit at correctional facility, alleging they were being deprived of "outdoor exercise"

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Prisoners' Legal Services of New York (PLSNY)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

New York State Department of Corrections, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

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: 1980 - None

Issues

General:

Recreation / Exercise

COVID-19:

Exercise/recreation regulated

Type of Facility:

Government-run