On November 7, 1990, inmates of the London Correctional Facility filed class action lawsuit, pro se, under 42 USC 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against officials of the London Correctional Facility.

After appointing private counsel, the District Court (Judge John D. Holschuh) denied plaintiffs' original motion to certify the class action. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in November 1991 and in May 1992, Judge Holschuh granted plaintiffs' motion to certify the class action.

Plaintiffs alleged a number of conditions, including: overcrowding; improper disciplinary procedures; limited visitation and mail access; inadequate food services and sanitation; inadequate medical care; and racially discriminatory policies. The matter was assigned to Magistrate Judge Norah M. King.

Extensive discovery, including expert evaluations, continued from 1992 until 1997. During this period, Judge King held several status conferences regarding on-going settlement negotiations between the parties. Finally, in April 1997, the plaintiffs approved a private settlement agreement and Judge Holschuh ordered preliminary approval of the agreement pending a fairness hearing before Judge King. After hearing numerous objections, Judge King filed a report and recommendation that the court approve the private settlement agreement. In March 1998, Judge Holschuh issued an opinion and order adopting Judge King's report and recommendation. Limited litigation regarding attorneys' fees continued into 1999.

We do not have, but are attempting to get, a copy of the settlement agreement.

Eoghan Keenan - 06/10/2005


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