Case: Prison Legal News v. Ransom

2:99-cv-70523 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Feb. 8, 1999

Closed Date: 1999

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 8, 1999, Prison Legal News (PLN) filed a lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, challenging the Michigan Department of Corrections' [MDOC] policies on incoming mail and restricted publications. PLN was represented by the Civil Rights Litigation Clinic of Wayne State University. It sought injunctive and monetary relief.This case was one of several lawsuit instituted by PLN, challenging prison mail restrictions on First …

On February 8, 1999, Prison Legal News (PLN) filed a lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, challenging the Michigan Department of Corrections' [MDOC] policies on incoming mail and restricted publications. PLN was represented by the Civil Rights Litigation Clinic of Wayne State University. It sought injunctive and monetary relief.

This case was one of several lawsuit instituted by PLN, challenging prison mail restrictions on First Amendment grounds. See e.g., PC-OR-4, PC-AL-24 and PC-WA-8.

Shortly after filing of the lawsuit, the parties settled the case. The Release and Settlement Agreement provided that the MDOC would remove the book "The Celling of America" from its restricted publication list, so that inmates could order the book from Prison Legal News. The MDOC also agreed to modify its regulations regarding inmate mail, such that it would notify the sender of any mail that was received and rejected and provide an opportunity for the sender to lodge its opposition to the rejection. The MDOC agreed to pay monetary damages in the amount of $1,000 each to PLN and Common Courage Press and attorneys fees and costs of $10,605.00.

On May 7, 1999, the District Court (Judge Avern Cohn) entered a stipulation, dismissing the case the case with prejudice.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/25/2007)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Manville, Daniel E. (Michigan)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Friedman, Leo H. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:99-cv-70523

Docket (PACER)

May 7, 1999

May 7, 1999

Docket

2:99-cv-70523

Release and Settlement Agreement

April 15, 1999

April 15, 1999

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT - Receipt # 1516-AA - Date Fee Received: 2/8/99 (nh) (Entered: 02/17/1999)

Feb. 8, 1999

Feb. 8, 1999

2

MOTION by plaintiff's Prison Legal News, Common Courage Press, Larry Lynch, and Calvin Holmes for preliminary injunction ordering defendants to provide notification of package rejection and a reasonable opportunity for the send to reply with brief, exhibits 1-19 and proof of mailing (nh) (Entered: 02/17/1999)

Feb. 8, 1999

Feb. 8, 1999

3

NOTICE by plaintiffs' Prison Legal News, Common Courage Press, Larry Lynch, and Calvin Holmes of taking deposition of Dan Bolden 3/9/99 at 9:30 a.m. with proof of mailing. (cf) (Entered: 02/22/1999)

Feb. 19, 1999

Feb. 19, 1999

4

WAIVER of service sent on 2/8/99 and signed by defendants C. Tallio and Dan Bolden - answer due 4/9/99 (cm) (Entered: 02/23/1999)

Feb. 22, 1999

Feb. 22, 1999

5

ORDER by Judge Avern Cohn with stipulation dismissing the case with prejudice (lg) (Entered: 05/14/1999)

May 7, 1999

May 7, 1999

Case Details

State / Territory: Michigan

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 8, 1999

Closing Date: 1999

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Prison Legal News, an independent monthly magazine that provides a cutting edge review and analysis of prisoner rights, court rulings and news about prison issues

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Michigan Department of Corrections, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Issues

General:

Mail

Type of Facility:

Government-run