Arbitrator’s Award on Pay Raises for Prison Guards Costs Pennsylvania County $5 Million
by David M. Reutter
Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Commission has been forced to dip into its reserve funds to comply with an “unaccountable” arbitration award that resulted in a 7% annual pay increase for the …
BOP Settles Medical Negligence Claim for $600,000
by David M. Reutter
The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) paid $600,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging officials at USP Coleman Low caused a prisoner to suffer permanent injuries due to their negligent provision of medical care.
BOP prisoner …
Feds and Tennessee Officials Investigate Prisoners Using Facebook
by David Reutter
The Bureau of Prisons is investigating two prisoners who were discovered using Facebook to “broadcast live” from a federal facility in Atlanta, where they are serving time on drug and weapons charges. The probe was initiated …
Sixth Circuit: Group Strip Searches and Delousing at Ohio Jail State Claim
by David Reutter
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that a proposed class-action complaint filed on behalf of pretrial detainees at the Cleveland House of Correction, which alleged it was unreasonable for the …
$71,000 Settlement in Iowa Prisoner’s Sexual Harassment Claim
by David M. Reutter
A former Iowa prisoner received a $71,000 settlement after being sexually harassed at her prison job in a case that established prisoners have civil rights protections with respect to employment under Iowa state law.
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Dismissal of State-Created Danger Claim Reversed
by David M. Reutter
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court’s order dismissing a civil rights action that alleged the disclosure of a confidential informant’s status established a state-created danger in violation of his due process rights.
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Nebraska Court Awards Prisoner $267,000 in Failure to Protect Suit
by David M. Reutter
Following a bench trial, a Nebraska state court found prison officials were aware of threats to prisoner James M. Saylor but failed to take steps to protect him. Consequently, the court awarded damages …
$266,653 Judgment in Lawsuit Challenging Alabama Prison’s Improper Sewage Discharge
by David Reutter
Following a settlement agreement between Black Warrior Riverkeeper (Riverkeeper) and Alabama Utility Services (AUS), a judgment was entered in a lawsuit that alleged the sewage treatment plant at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility …
New Jersey Pre-trial Detainee’s Mysterious Death Results in $650,000 Settlement
by David M. Reutter
$650,000 settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed by the estate of a prisoner who died at the Cumberland County Jail (CCJ) in New Jersey.
Steven C. Bell, 32, was arrested on …
$1.35 Million Award in Montana Jail Prisoner’s Alcohol Withdrawal Death
by David M. Reutter
The Montana Human Rights Commission (MHRC) awarded $1.35 million for a pre-trial detainee’s death after finding county jail officials showed “discriminatory indifference” for failing to treat the prisoner’s alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Allen …
