CRIPA ACTIVITIES IN FY 2000
I. Introduction and Overview
The Attorney General has authority to investigate conditions in public residential
facilities (1) and to take appropriate action if a pattern or practice of unlawful conditions
deprive persons confined in the facilities of their constitutional or federal statutory rights
pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C.
§§ 1997- 1997j (2). Protecting the rights of institutionalized persons is an important part
of the Department's civil rights law enforcement effort. From May 1980, when CRIPA
was enacted, through September 2000, the Department investigated conditions in 344
jails, prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, mental retardation and mental health
facilities, and nursing homes. As a result of the Department's CRIPA enforcement, tens
of thousands of institutionalized persons who were living in dire, often life-threatening,
conditions now receive adequate care and services.
The Attorney General has delegated day-to-day responsibility for CRIPA
activities to the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division. During fiscal year
2000, the Section was active in CRIPA matters and cases involving more than 187
facilities in 33 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the Commonwealths of
Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam and the
Virgin Islands. (3) The Section initiated investigations of nine facilities, continued its
investigations of 57 additional facilities, and monitored the implementation of consent
decrees, settlement agreements, and other court orders involving 123 facilities. The
Attorney General filed three CRIPA suits involving seven facilities during the fiscal year.
All of these suits were settled during the fiscal year. One case was litigated in a month
long trial in the Middle District of Florida during the fiscal year. In addition, the Section
resolved one institutional matter with an out of court settlement. During fiscal year
2000, the Section closed investigations of two facilities and joined with defendants to
dismiss five cases involving thirteen facilities.
In keeping with the statutory requirements of CRIPA and the Attorney General's
initiative, the Section engaged in negotiations and conciliation efforts to resolve a
number of CRIPA matters both before and after filing CRIPA cases. The Section
maximized its impact and increased its efficiency by continuing to focus on multi-facility
investigations and cases, obtaining widespread relief whenever possible.
II. Filing of CRIPA Complaints/Resolution of Lawsuits
A. Cases Filed
1. On December 7, 1999, the Department filed a complaint in United States v.
Maricopa County (D. Ariz.) regarding the provision of medical and mental health
services to 7,000 inmates of the Maricopa County Jail which is comprised of five
facilities. Simultaneously, the parties filed a settlement agreement that provided for
hiring of additional medical and mental health staff; improved medical evaluation
services both for intake and routine care; additional space for the provision of medical
services; an improved distribution system for medications and monitoring of possible
side effects; creation of an Infection Control Committee; and improved quality
assurance mechanisms to assess the quality of medical and mental health services
provided at the facilities.
2. On February 10, 2000, the Department filed a complaint in United States v.
Morgan County, Tennessee (E.D. Tenn.) concerning conditions of confinement at the
Morgan County Jail. This action followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the
investigation of this facility. On June 27, 2000, the parties filed a settlement
agreement. It provided for renovation or construction of the Jail to eliminate suicide
hazards, provide sufficient living space for inmates, and improve fire safety, general
safety and sanitation; hiring and training of additional staff; maintenance of contracts to
provide adequate medical, dental and mental health services; improvements in inmate
access to legal materials, privacy and protections from harassment for female inmates,
as well as new policies and procedures to prevent sexual misconduct by staff.
3. In December 1999, the United States was requested by the court expert in
Williams v. Stalder (E.D. La.), which involved Louisiana prisons, to evaluate the
adequacy of services at the recently-opened Jena Juvenile Justice Center, a juvenile
facility run by Wackenhut Corporation on behalf of Louisiana, and report to the court.
The United States uncovered life-threatening conditions at the facility for about 240
youth and reported those conditions to the court in February 2000. When the State
failed to negotiate an immediate remedy to the unsafe conditions, the Department
decided to add Jena to its suit against Louisiana involving the state's four other secure
juvenile correctional facilities. On March 30, 2000, the Department moved to amend its
complaint in United States v. Louisiana (M.D. La.), to add claims regarding Jena.
The Department also moved for preliminary relief to address the life-threatening
conditions. The court then ordered day-to-day negotiations regarding conditions at
Jena. On April 15, 2000, the parties filed with the court a settlement agreement
addressing the life-threatening conditions; days after the agreement was filed,
Wackenhut announced its decision to close Jena. Jena was closed in May 2000.
Some youth were transferred to Louisiana's other secure juvenile correctional facilities
and others were released from secure confinement.
B. Out of Court Settlement
1. On September 15, 2000, the United States and Black Hawk County, Iowa,
entered into a settlement agreement pertaining to conditions of confinement at the
Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, Iowa. This agreement resolved our CRIPA
investigation of the facility. The county has agreed to significantly improve medical
staffing with physician, psychiatrist and mental health therapist coverage at a minimum
of twenty hours per week and on-site nursing coverage seven days per week. Inmates
will receive medical care regardless of their economic status. A small co-payment for
medical services may be charged under clearly defined and limited circumstances. The
settlement also calls for certain architectural modifications at the jail to reduce the
possibility of inmate suicides, as well as policies to be implemented regarding suicide
watch and suicide prevention equipment to be provided at each officer's post. Policies
will also be implemented to assure that the use of restraint, including use of a restraint
chair, is appropriate to reduce the possibility of injury to self or others and is non-punitive.
C. Settlements in Cases Filed in Prior Fiscal Years
The Department was successful in obtaining favorable agreements to resolve
two additional cases in fiscal year 2000. These matters addressed conditions of
confinement in institutions against which complaints had been filed in prior fiscal years.
1. On November 23, 1999, the court in United States v. Tennessee (M.D. Tenn.)
unconditionally ordered the implementation of the consent decree filed in this case in
1996. The United States had requested clarification of language in the original order
entering the consent decree because there was uncertainty as to the court's intent.
This case concerns the institutional and community services provided to
developmentally disabled persons who reside in four Tennessee institutions.
2. On April 13, 2000, the Department filed an agreement in United States v.
Louisiana (M.D. La.) which addressed the adequacy of educational services provided to
incarcerated juveniles in Louisiana. As a result of the agreement, state officials will
take steps to improve services in regular, special and vocational education. The
agreement provided for the hiring of a State Director of Education to oversee services
throughout the juvenile justice system; hiring of new educators with better qualifications;
development of new curricula; hiring of related services personnel such as school
psychologists, diagnosticians, social workers, speech therapists, and transition
coordinators; and the building of more than 30 new classrooms. The agreement
contained provisions for enforcement and monitoring to ensure implementation.
On September 7, 2000, also in United States v. Louisiana (M.D. La.), the
Department filed a settlement agreement for medical, dental, mental health,
rehabilitation and juvenile justice issues. This agreement provided that Louisiana State
University School of Medicine will assume responsibility for medical, dental and mental
health services to juveniles in the five facilities. In addition, the state will take steps to
improve conditions relating to the abuse, excessive force and failure to protect children
from harm. Specifically, the agreement called for hiring more than 200 new staff and
training staff in the most effective, non-violent methods to employ when dealing with
troubled youth; removal of suicide hazards throughout the facilities; development of
substance abuse programs; development of systems to investigate allegations of abuse
and neglect adequately; development of a quality assurance program to monitor
conditions at the secure juvenile facilities; limitations on the use of chemical,
mechanical and medical restraints as well as the use of isolation in the facilities; and
the creation of six new legal positions to help represent the juveniles in the juvenile
justice system.
III. Compliance Evaluations
During fiscal year 2000, the Special Litigation Section monitored defendants'
compliance with CRIPA consent decrees, settlement agreements, and other court
orders designed to remedy unlawful conditions in publicly operated facilities throughout
the United States. (4) These facilities are:
1. Mental retardation facilities: Southbury Training School (United States v.
Connecticut (D. Conn.)); Fairview Training Center (United States v. Oregon (D. Or.));
Embreeville Center (United States v. Pennsylvania (E.D. Pa.)); (5) Arlington
Developmental Center (United States v. Tennessee (W.D. Tenn.)); Clover Bottom
Developmental Center, Greene Valley Developmental Center, and Harold Jordan Center
(United States v. Tennessee (M.D. Tenn.)); Southern Wisconsin Developmental Center
and Central Wisconsin Developmental Center (United States v. Wisconsin (W.D. Wis.));
and Center for Integral Services, Centro de Servicios Multiples de Camaseyes, Hogar
de Grupo Las Mesas, Facilidad de Cuidado Intermedio, Centro de Reeducacion para
Adultos, and Centro de Servicios Multiples Rosario Bellber (United States v.
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (D. P. R.)).
2. Mental health facilities: Hawaii State Hospital and children and adolescent
residential services at Castle Medical Center and Kahi Mohala (United States v. Hawaii
(D. Haw.)); Guam Adult Mental Health Unit (United States v. Guam (D. Guam)); Pilgrim
Psychiatric Center (United States v. New York (E.D.N.Y.)); Memphis Mental Health
Institute (United States v. Tennessee (W.D. Tenn.)); Northern Virginia Mental Health
Institute (United States v. Commonwealth of Virginia (E.D. Va.)); and Central State
Hospital (United States v. Commonwealth of Virginia (E.D. Va.)).
3. Nursing homes: Philadelphia Nursing Home (United States v. City of
Philadelphia (E.D. Pa.)).
4. Juvenile correctional facilities: Thirty-two juvenile correctional facilities in
Georgia (United States v. State of Georgia (N.D. Ga.)); 13 Kentucky juvenile correctional
facilities (United States v. Kentucky (W.D. Ky.)); Essex County Youth House (United
States v. Essex County (D. N. J.)); 20 Puerto Rican juvenile correctional facilities (United
States v. Puerto Rico (D. P. R.)); Kagman Youth Facility (United States v.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (D. N.Mar.I.)); and educational services
in five facilities in United Stated v. Louisiana (M.D. La.).
5. Jails: Crittenden County Jail (United States v. Crittenden County (E.D. Ark.));
Clay County Jail (United States v. Clay County, Georgia)(M.D. Ga.)); Dooly County Jail
(United States v. Dooly County, Georgia (S.D. Ga.)); Hagatna Detention Center and
Fibrebond Detention Facility (United States v. Guam (D. Guam)); Grenada County Jail
(United States v. Grenada County (N.D. Miss.)); Tupelo City Jail (United States v.
Tupelo City (N.D. Miss.)); Forest City Jail (United States v. Forest City (S.D. Miss.));
Harrison County Jail (United States v. Harrison County (S.D. Miss.)); Scott County Jail
(United States v. Scott County (S.D. Miss.)); Simpson County Jail (Rainier and United
States v. Jones (S.D. Miss.)); Sunflower County Jail (United States v. Sunflower County
(S.D. Miss.)); Gila County Jail (United States v. Gila County, Arizona (D. Ariz.)), four jails
in Northern Mariana Islands (United States v. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands (D. N.Mar.I.)); Muscogee County Jail (United States v. Columbus Consolidated
City/County Government (M.D. Ga.)); five Maricopa County Jails (United States v.
Maricopa County (D. Ariz.)); and Morgan County Jail and Sheriff's Department (United
States v. Morgan County, Tenn. (E.D. Tenn.)).
6. Prisons: Guam Adult Correctional Facility (United States v. Guam
(D. Guam)); Montana State Prison (United States v. Montana (D. Mont.)); Golden Grove
Adult Correctional Institution (United States v. Virgin Islands (D. V.I.));
Saipan Prison Complex (United States v. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands (D. N.Mar.I.)); four Arizona prisons for women (United States v. Arizona (D.
Ariz.)); and Crane Correctional Facility and Scott Correctional Facility (United States v.
Michigan (E.D. Mich.)).
7. Other facilities: New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped (United
States v. New Mexico (D. N. Mex.)).
IV. Enforcement Activities
The Section litigated Johnson and United States v. Bradley (M.D. Fla.) in August
and September 2000. Our complaint in intervention in this class action involved the
conditions at G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital (GPW) in Arcadia, Florida and the
community mental health services for discharged patients in a five district area
surrounding the hospital. Our claims included both constitutional violations and statutory
violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12131. We presented the
testimony of seven expert witnesses and four lay witnesses. The evidence presented at
the trial included facts relating to psychology, psychosocial rehabilitation, protection from
harm, nursing care and discharge planning at GPW. During the trial, defendants
announced their intention of closing the hospital by 2002. We also provided facts
regarding the five districts in the community with respect to residential treatment,
vocational services, and day treatment programs. Ultimately, in June, 2001, the court
issued judgment for the defendants.
V. Prison Litigation Reform Act
The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), 18 U.S.C. § 3626, covers prospective
relief in prisons, jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. The Department has defended
the constitutionality of the PLRA and has incorporated the PLRA's requirements in its
CRIPA activities. The Special Litigation Section has applied the PLRA requirements to
the new remedies it seeks.
VI. Termination of CRIPA Consent Decrees and Partial Dismissals of Complaints
When jurisdictions comply with settlement requirements and correct unlawful
conditions in the institution, the Department joins defendants in a motion to dismiss the
underlying action. During fiscal year 2000, the Department joined with defendants
to seek dismissal or partial dismissal of 5 cases covering thirteen facilities. On
December 17, 1999, the court granted a joint motion for dismissal of United States v.
Arizona (D. Ariz.) which ended litigation involving four women's prisons in Arizona. On
March 7, 2000, the court granted a joint motion to dismiss United States v. Michigan
(E.D. Mich.) regarding two men's prisons in Michigan. On July 7, 2000, the court for the
Middle District of Georgia granted the joint motion of parties to dismiss United States v.
Clay County, Georgia regarding the Clay County Jail. On August 28, 2000, the court
granted the joint motion of parties to dismiss United States v. Oregon (E.D. Ore.) and
terminated the case against Fairview Training Center. On September 21, 2000, the
court dismissed claims against Sheriff Joseph Arpaio in United States v. Maricopa
County, Arizona (D. Ariz.).
VII. Responsiveness to Allegations of Illegal Conditions
During fiscal year 2000, the Special Litigation Section reviewed allegations of
unlawful conditions of confinement in public facilities from a number of sources,
including individuals who live at the facilities and their relatives, staff and ex-staff of
facilities, advocates, concerned citizens, media reports, and referrals from within the
Department and other federal agencies. The Section received approximately 7300
incoming citizen letters and 1000 incoming telephone complaints during the fiscal year.
The majority of these citizen contacts related to CRIPA complaints. In addition, the
Division responded to 30 CRIPA-related inquiries from Congress.
The Section prioritized these allegations by focusing on facilities where
allegations revealed systemic, serious deficiencies. In particular, with regard to mental
health and mental retardation facilities and nursing homes, the Section focused on
allegations of abuse and neglect; inadequate medical care, mental health treatment, and
habilitation; misuse of restraints and seclusion; and failure to serve institutionalized
persons in the most integrated setting appropriate to meet their needs as required by
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its regulations, 42 U.S. C. §§ 12132 et
seq.; 28 C.F.R. § 35.130(d). With regard to juvenile correctional facilities, the Section
focused on allegations of abuse, inadequate mental health and medical care, and failure
to provide adequate rehabilitation and education, including special education
services. In jails and prisons, the Section placed emphasis on allegations of abuse,
inadequate medical care and psychiatric services, and grossly unsanitary and other
unsafe conditions.
VIII. New CRIPA Investigations
The Department initiated CRIPA investigations of nine institutions during the fiscal
year. These new investigations involved the following facilities:
- Cape Girardeau County Jail, Jackson, Missouri;
- Six South Dakota Juvenile Facilities;
- Shelby County Jail, Memphis, Tennessee;
- Red Onion State Prison, Pound, Virginia.
IX. Findings Letters
The Department issued written findings of the results of its investigations,
pursuant to Section 4 of CRIPA, 42 U.S.C. § 1997b, regarding six facilities:
- Western State Hospital, Staunton, Virginia;
- McCracken County Regional Jail, Paducah, Kentucky;
- Jackson County Correctional Center, Marianna, Florida;
- Bradley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Cleveland, Tennessee;
- Cape Girardeau County Jail, Jackson, Missouri;
- Nassau County Correctional Center, East Meadow, New York.
X. Investigation Closures
During the fiscal year, the Section closed investigations involving two facilities
based on their voluntary correction of unlawful conditions:
- Greenville County Detention Center, Greenville, South Carolina;
- Norfolk City Jail, Norfolk, Virginia.
XI. Technical Assistance
Where federal financial, technical, or other assistance is available to help
jurisdictions correct deficiencies, the Department advises responsible public officials of
the availability of such aid and arranges for assistance, where appropriate. During
FY2000, the Section provided expert consultants to discuss behavioral, quality
assurance and risk management issues with Washington state officials regarding
Rainier School and Frances Haddon Morgan Center. Similarly, the Department provided
a consultant to discuss behavioral, quality assurance and risk management issues to
Indiana officials responsible for the operation of Muscatatuck and Fort Wayne
Developmental Center. In United States v. Tennessee (M.D. Tenn.), regarding
Cloverbottom Developmental, Greene Valley Developmental, and Harold Jordan
Centers, the Department provided a behavioral psychologist to work with state officials in
developing a plan to reach out to University Affiliated Programs in Tennessee to include
in their curricula programs on services for persons who have been dually diagnosed with
mental retardation and mental health disorders. In that case, the Department also
provided consultants to review the current procedures utilized by Independent Service
Coordinators (ISC's) and to offer suggestions to promote increased efficiency for the
ISC's. In United States v. Tennessee (W.D. Tenn.), regarding Arlington Developmental
Center, the Department provided consultants to assist state officials in drafting a
Home/Community Based Medicaid Waiver. We also facilitated interagency discussions
between state officials and officials of the Health Care Financing Administration
regarding the possibility of expanding the Home/Community Based waivers to improve
medical care services. In United States v. Commonwealth of Virginia (E.D. Va.),
regarding Central State Hospital, the Department provided expert consultants on
behavioral management to assist state officials in improving treatment. In another case,
also styled United States v. Commonwealth of Virginia (E.D. Va.), the Department
provided expert consultants to assist officials of the Northern Virginia Mental Health
Institute in behavioral management, performance of functional analyses and discharge
planning.
1. Institutions covered by CRIPA include nursing homes, mental health facilities,
mental retardation facilities, residential schools for children with disabilities, jails,
prisons, and juvenile correctional facilities.
2. CRIPA does not cover the federal statutory rights of inmates in jails or prisons.
3. Fiscal year 2000 began on October 1, 1999, and ended on September 30, 2000.
This report is submitted to Congress to supplement the Attorney General's report on
Fiscal Year 2000 Department activities by providing additional details about CRIPA
actions during the fiscal year pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1997f.
4. As noted on page 11, supra, the Department joined with defendants to seek full or
partial dismissal of five cases covering thirteen facilities.
5. Embreeville Center closed during FY 1998 but, under the terms of the consent
decree, the Department continues to monitor conditions in community placements from
the facility.
Updated 2008-07-25