Wyoming Prisoner Receives $350,000 in Failure to Protect Case
Wyoming Prisoner Receives $350,000 in Failure to Protect Case
The Wyoming Department of Corrections has settled a prisoner’s failure to protect claim for $350,000. The action was filed in U.S. District Court by Wyoming State Penitentiary prisoner Jason C. Huff.
Huff had informed prison officials upon intake that he feared retaliation from his cousin, Robert Foster, who was housed at the same facility. He was rightly concerned, as he had provided information that led to Foster’s conviction and imprisonment. Huff was assured that he and Foster would not come in contact.
Despite those assurances, the two were placed in the same cell over a seven-month period until Foster was transferred to a prison in Texas. Huff claimed that Foster subjected him to severe sexual, physical and psychological abuse. Moreover, he alleged that his repeated requests to move to another cell were ignored.
Prison officials admitted to the “conflict,” but argued the two prisoners had asked to be housed together. They said Huff never complained until almost six months after Foster was transferred. In response, Huff stated he was too embarrassed to raise the issue before then. Although prison officials questioned whether any beatings or assaults had actually occurred, they settled the suit for $350,000. See: Huff v. Wyoming Dept. of Corrections, U.S.D.C. (D. Wyo.), Case No. 2:06-cv-00289-WFD.
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
Related legal case
Huff v. Wyoming Dept. of Corrections
| Year | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Cite | U.S.D.C. (D. Wyo.), Case No. 2:06-cv-00289-WFD |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 350,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |