Petition — Alabama v. Pugh
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IN THE | MICHAEL RODAK, JR., CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER TERM, 1977
no. @8"-1107
STATE OF ALABAMA, et ai.,
Petitioners,
Vv.
JeRRY LEE PuGu, et al.,
Respondents.
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
THomMAS S. LAWSON, JR.
P.O. Box 2069
Montgomery, Alabama 36103
W. SCEARS BARNES, JR.
P.O. Box 801
Alexander City, Alabama 35010
WILLIAM J. BAXLEY
Attorney General of Alabama
250 Administrative Building
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
: LARRY R. NEWMAN
Assistant Attorney General
of Alabama
669 South Lawrence Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
Counsel for Petitioners.
————
Washington, 0.C. + THIGA PRESS - (202) 638-4521
(?)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
GREE EMF c cece cece eeeeeecceceese 2
DEE oc cco cece ee eeeseessececeoceoes 3
QUESTIONS PRESENTED ........22ccccccccces 3
CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY
PROVISIONS INVOLVED .........-+2eeeee0.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE .......2ccccccccees
REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT ...........
I. Federal Court Supervision of a State’s
| PPT TETELTTELEEELeTee 8
II. Suit against the State of Alabama ............. 11
Mi. Denial of Jury Tele wn ccccccccccccccccess 13
GETS ccc ccc ccc sccesceceeoseceoses 15
Appendices:
APPENDIX A—Opinion of Court of Appeals ......... la
APPENDIX B—Judgment of Court of Appeals ...... 25a
APPENDIX C—Notice of Entry of Order
Denying Rehearing ..... TETTLTTELULTLL TET 27a
APPENDIX D—Order of Court of Appeals
Staying Mandate .......cccccccecs sececceses 29a
APPENDIX E—Opinion and Order of District
Pree rerrrerererrerereererrerrrere $la
APPENDIX F—Opinion and Order of District
GoUs Gn TAGE ccc ccc cee scewrcecccsces 9la
APPENDIX G—District Court Order Denying
/ - BPPrrrTrree creeereeeerrerrerrreree 104a
APPENDIX H—District Court Order Severing
Damage Claim ........ S66 OEE RESCEE OOO? 106a
APPENDIX I—District Court Interim Order and
Injunction—jointly with Southern District of
Alabama in McCray v. Sullivan, C.A. No.
PEE 666666660 6646660660006 Od 000088 108a
(11)
Appendices, continued: Page
APPENDIX J—Southern District Court Order
in McCray v. Sullivan, C.A. No. 5620-69-H . ...... ll4a
TABLE OF CASES, STATUTES AND AUTHORITIES
Cases:
Anderson v. Redmond, No. 76-364 (3rd Cir.) .......... 10
Beacon Theatres, Inc. v. Westover, 359 U.S.
RRR ee eee 13, 14
Bolding v. Holshouser, N. 76-2151 (4th Cir.) .......... 10
Burbank v. Walker, 76-C-4471 (PI.D. Ill.) 2 ........... 10
Burks v. Graham, No. 774008-CV-C (W.D. Mo.) ........ 10
Chapman v. Rhodes, 434 F. Supp. 1007 (S.D.
OO ee ee Pee Tee TT eee 10
City of Kenosha v. Bruno, 412 U.S. 507 (1973) ........ 12
Costello v. Wainright, No. 75-109-Civ. (M.D. Fla.) ...... 10
Curtis v, Everette, 489 F. 2d 516 (3rd Cir.
BE 22 2 actuate s beets bo ide ee 12
Curtis v. Loether, 415 U.S. 189 (1974) ........... 13, 14
Dairy Queen, Inc. v. Wood, 369 U.S. 569 (1962) ... 13, 14
Demick v. Schiedt, 293 U.S. 474, 486 (1934) .......... 14
Dunn Construction Company v. State Board of
Adjustment, 234 Ala. 372, 175 So. 383 (1937) ...... 11
Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974) ......... ll, 12
Ex Parte Young, 209 U.S. 123 (1908) .............. 12
Ford Motor Company v. Department of Treasury
of the State of Indiana, 323 U.S. 459 (1944) ........ 11
French v. Raines, 1-P-75-677-C (S.D. Ind.) ............ 10
Gates v. Collier, 501 F. 2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974) ........ 10
Hardwick v. Ault, C.A. 75-139 (M.D. Ga.) ............ 10
Harmis v. Cardweil, 75-185 (D. Ariz.) ..........02006- 10
(itt)
Cases, continued: Page
James v. Wallace, 74-203-N (M.D. Ala.) .......-++++- 5, 6
Johnson v. Levine, H-77-113 (D.C. Md.) «we ee ee ee es 10
Lightfoot v. Walker, CV-73-238-E (E.D. Ill.) .......-+-- 10
McCray v. Sullivan, 5620-69-H (S.D. Ala.) ......-. 2, 6, 10
Mattison v. South Carolina, C.A. 76-318 (D.S.C.) ...... 10
Meredith v. Arizona, 523 F. 2d 481 (9th
=. FRPPTTTITirTiT Tir rire 12
Miller v. Carson, 563 F. 2d 741 (5th Cir. 1977) ........ 9
Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167 (1961)... eee ee ee eee 13
Nebraska v. Wyoming, 325 U.S. 589 (1945) .......... )
Nelson v. Collins, V-77-116 (D. C. Md.) ......-222-000- 10
Newman v. Alabama, 349 F. Supp. 278 (M.D. Ala.
1972), aff'd. in part 503 F. 2d 1320 (5th Cir.
1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 948 (1975) .......... 6
Newman v. Alabama, 559 F. 2d 283 (5th Cir.
PPP TTEPETTIPELILTET TLL 2
Pierson v. Ray, 398 U.S. 547 (1967) .......-2- eens 13
Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475 (1973) ..........--- 8
Pugh v. Locke, 74-57-N (M.D. Ala.) .......---- 5, 6, 13
Pugh v. Locke, 406 F. Supp. 318 (M.D.
| S MPPYeTTTrTerrree<ereeecerririr 2, 13
Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976) .........--.. 8, 11
Ross v. Bernhard, 496 U.S. 531 (1970) ..........-4-- 13
Ruiz v. Estelle, C.A. 5523 (E. D. Tex.) ........--+++- 10
Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232 (1974) ......-04--- 11
State v. Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Company,
243 Ala. 629, 11 So. 2d 342 (1943) ............4.-. il
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of
Education, 402 U.S. 1, 16 (1971) ........--5-005- 8
Trigg v. Blanton, 8-6057 (Chancery Court,
Davidson Co., Tenn. Part 1) .....2ccccccccsccces 10
(tv)
Cases, continued: Page
United States v. Thompson, C.V. 76-0158
DD &0e¢6606 64006 660054506000500 G05 10
Vermont v. New York, 417 U.S. 270 (1974) .......... 9
White v. Alabama Insane Hospital, 138 Ala.
Sey Se ED 6 bee 6 666 :00 00084 46 OOO8 11
Wiliams v. Edwards, 547 F. 2d 1206 (5th
Ss PO 60606566566 000500846068006 66006R 10
Statutes:
Title 28, §1254(1), Umited States Code .............. 3
Title 42, §1983, United States Code .. 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
Title 42, §3612, Umited States Code ................ 13
Constitution of the United States of America,
GE TE Ceo catoeseeoceoneseeceeeseese 4
PT TT) ces et eooeeereetbeeseeeeeses 4
PE Sheoeoceccesececvoeeeoseseese 4
CC Ee er 4
Other Authorities:
Robbins & Buser, Punitive Condition of Prison
Confinement: An Analysis of Pugh v. Locke
and Federal Court Supervision of State Penal
Administration under the Eighth Amendment,
a, LD, PTT TT eee 8
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER TERM, 1977
No.
STATE OF ALABAMA, et al.,
Petitioners,
Vv.
Jerry LEE PuGu, et al.,
Respondents.
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
The Petitioners! —The State of Alabama; the Alabama
Board of Corrections; Judson C. Locke, Jr., individually
and in his official capacity as Commissioner of the
Alabama Board of Corrections; Bill Long, individually;
jJ.O. Davis, individually and as warden of G.K. Fountain
'The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
ordered the District Court, upon remand, to dissolve the
2
Correctional Center; Reverend John E. Vickers, Dr.
Thomas F. Staton, and Dr. Marion L. Carroll, Jr.,
individually and as members of the Alabama Board of
Corrections; J. Louis Wilkinson and W.F. Hamner, as
members of the Alabama Board of Corrections; the
Attorney General of Alabama; and the warden, hospital
administrator, business manager, and all hospital staff of
Kilby Corrections Facility (formerly Medical and
Diagnostic Center, Mt. Meigs, Alabama)—respectfully
pray that a writ of certiorari issue to review the
judgment and the opinion of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit entered in this proceedings
on September 16, 1977.
The Respondents, inmates or former inmates of the
Alabama Prison System, are Jerry Lee Pugh, N.H.
Newman, Worley James, Johnnie Foster, Davis Van
Zandt, William Sherman Jones, William Edward Camp-
bell, and Sherrell Speegle, for themselves and all others
similarly situated.
OPINIONS BELOW
The opinion of the Court of Appeals modifying and
affirming the District Court is reported as Newman v.
Alabama, 559 F.2d 283 (5th Cir. 1977). The opinion
and the judgment thereon are attached hereto as
Appendices A and B, respectively.
The opinion and order of the District Court
formulating minimum standards for the operation of
the Alabama Prison System and enjoining petitioners
from failing to fully implement them is reported as
Pugh v. Locke, 406 F. Supp. 318 (M.D. Ala. 1976), and
is attached hereto as Appendix E.2 The opinion and
2 an interim order, entered jointly with the District Court for
the Southern District of Alabama in McCray v. Sutlivan, C.A. No.
jfootnote continued]
3
order of the District Court on rehearing is dated March
5, 1976, is unreported, and is attached hereto as
Appendix F.
The orders of the District Court denying some of the
petitioners a jury trial on January 20, 1975, and
severing respondent Pugh’s claim for damages from the
class action injunctive claims on June 27, 1975, are
unreported, and are attached hereto as Appendices G
and H, respectively.
JURISDICTION
The judgment of the Court of Appeals was entered
on September 16, 1977 (Appendix B, infra, p. 25a),
and timely petitions for rehearing and rehearing en banc
were denied on November 7, 1977 (Appendix C,
infra, p. 27a). The jurisdiction of this Court is invoked
under 28 U.S.C. §1254(1).
QUESTIONS PRESENTED
Inmates of Alabama prisons filed suit under 42
U.S.C. §1983 alleging that the conditions of their
confinement constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
Finding that conditions in Alabama’s prisons did violate
their Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, the
District Court granted declaratory and injunctive relief
which, with some modifications, the Court of Appeals
affirmed. The questions presented are:
1. Whether the courts below exceeded their remedial
power or abused their discretion in formulating detailed
standards for the operation of the Alabama prison
5620-69-H, which prohibited the aceptance of new inmates into
Alabama prisons, is unreported and is attached hereto as
Appendix I. .
4
system which went beyond the constitutional mandate
and in ordering their full implementation under the
continuing supervision of the court and court-appointed
monitors.
2. Whether the mandatory injunction issued against
the State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of
Corrections violates the State’s Eleventh Amendment
immunity or exceeds the jurisdiction granted federal
courts by 42 U.S.C. §1983.
3. Whether, in an action under 42 U.S.C. §1983 in
which a jury had been demanded, the Seventh
Amendment permitted the District Court, over a party’s
objection, to sever the damage claims and proceed to
first determine the claims for declaratory and injunctive
relief without a jury.
CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS
INVOLVED
Constitution of the United States, Amendment VII:
“the right of trial by jury shall be preserved... .”
Constitution of the United States, Amendment VIII:
“nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Constitution of the United States, Amendment XI:
“The judicial power of the United States shall
not be construed to extend to any suit in law or
equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of
the United States by citizens of another state, or
by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.”
ee of the United States, Amendment XIV,
1:
“nor shall any state deprive any person of life,
—., Or property without due process of
Ww...
Pe Rr WE
5
United States Code, Title 42:
§ 1983. Civil action for deprivation of rights.
“Every person who, under color of any statute,
ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any
State or Territory, subjects, or causes to be
subjected, any citizen of the United States or
other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the
deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities
secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be
liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit
in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.”
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
The jurisdiction of the District Court was invoked by
the filing of separate actions under 42 U.S.C. §1983 by
two inmates of the Alabama Prison System, each
alleging the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment.
The defendants included the Commissioner and Mem-
bers of the Alabama Board of Corrections and various
prison officials, sued in their individual and official
capacities, and the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama
Board of Corrections, and the State of Alabama.
In Pugh v. Locke, C.A. No. 74-57-N, monetary
damages and declaratory and injunctive relief were
sought and a jury trial was requested. By amendment,
the suit became a class action. When the prison officials
and other defendants objected to the case being set for
trial without a jury, the District Court, upon motion of
the plaintiffs, ordered the claims for monetary damages
severed from the claims: for declaratory and injunctive
relief, denied the request for a jury trial and
consolidated the Pugh case with James v. Wallace, C.A.
No. 74-203-N, which had also been amended into a
class action. (Appendices G and H, infra, pp. 104a, 106a).
6
The consolidated Pugh and James cases were treated
as a single action attacking both specific conditions and
the totality of conditions of confinement in the
Alabama prison system as constituting cruel and
unusual punishment. After a non-jury trial, the District
Court, in a joint order also entered by the District
Court for the Southern District of Alabama in McCray
v. Sullivan, C.A. No. 5620-69-H, a class action involving
the same plaintiff classes and the same subject matter,
entered an interim order prohibiting the acceptance of
new inmates into Alabama prisons. (Appendix I, infra,
pp. 108a).
Four and one-half months after trial, the District
Court, finding that unconstitutional conditions did exist
in the Alabama prison system, entered an order (1)
enjoining Petitioners from failing to fully implement a
comprehensive and detailed set of “Minimum Constitu-
tional Standards” which the District Court had
formulated, and (2) establishing and appointing a
thirty-nine member “Human Rights Committee” to
monitor implementation of the District Court’s previous
order in Newman v. Alabama, 349 F. Supp. 278 (M.D.
Ala. 1972), affd in part 503 F.2d 1320 (5th Cir.
1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 948 (1975), which dealt
with medical care in Alabama prisons. The detailed
standards set by the District Court appear in its order
which is attached hereto as Appendix E, and the few
modifications of those standards subsequently made by
the District Court on motion for rehearing appear in its
order of March 5, 1976, unreported, which is attached
hereto as Appendix F.°
5On February 10, 1976, the District Court for the Southem
District of Alabama in McCray v. Sullivan, C.A. No. 5620-69-H,
[footnote continued]
7
The Court of Appeals affirmed and remanded
(Appendices A and B, infra, pp. la, 25a) permitting, with
certain exceptions, the standards fixed by the District
Court to remain, although it recognized that those
requirements related to work and recreational op-
portunities are without any constitutional foundation
and that other requirements may also go beyond the
constitutional mandate. The District Court was directed
to substitute a lesser number of monitors for the
thirty-nine member Human Rights Committee to insure
compliance with its standards. The Court of Appeals
also allowed the injunction to remain in effect as to the
State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Cor-
rections and directed that the compensation and
expense of the Human Rights Committee and the
monitors to be appointed upon remand be recovered
from the State of Alabama.
Petitions by all parties for rehearing were denied
(Appendix C, infra, p. 27a), but Petitioners’ motion
for stay of the issuance of the mandate pending the
filing of this petition was granted because of the
importance of the issues (Appendix D, infra, p. 29a).
unreported, also entered its order finding conditions in the
Alabama prison system to be violative of the Constitution, but
specifically refusing “‘to direct the exact means or method to be
pursued” in correcting those conditions. (Appendix J, infra, p.
116a).
8
REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT
I.
FEDERAL COURT SUPERVISION OF A _ STATE’S
PRISON SYSTEM
The remedial order issued by the District Court has
been described as “the most expansive intrusion yet by
a federal court into the management of state penal
facilities,"* and it conflicts, at least in principle, with
recent decisions of this Court which re-emphasized the
necessity of federal courts’ giving appropriate considera-
tion to principles of equity, comity and federalism.
Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976); Preiser v.
Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475 (1973).
While a federal court’s equitable power to remedy
past wrongs is broad, its “judicial power may be
exercised only on the basis of a _ constitutional
violation.” Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of
Education, 402 U.S. 1, 16 (1971). The District Court
characterized its requirements as “constitutional mini-
mum standards,” but the Court of Appeals did not
consider them as such and recognized that many did or
might exceed the constitutional mandate. By permitting
the District Court, nevertheless, to go beyond its
obligation to insure that constitutional limits are not
exceeded and fully implement standards lacking specific
constitutional foundation, the Court of Appeals allowed
the District Court to act as legislator and prison
administrator rather than as judge. The courts below
clearly went beyond attempts to correct conventional
notions of cruel and unusual punishment and entered
*Robbins & Buser, Punitive Conditions of Prison Confine-
ment: An Analysis of Pugh v. Locke and Federal Court
Supervision of State Penal Administration under the Eighth
Amendment, 29 Stan. L. Rev. 893, 916 (1977).
nue.
9
into the non-constitutional and extra-judicial realm of
prison reform. This extension of the power of federal
courts into the administering of State prisons so far
departs from the accepted and usual course of judicial
proceedings and the controlling precepts of federalism
in determining the availability and scope of equitable
relief as to call for an exercise of this Court’s power of
supervision.
The appointment by the District Court of federal
monitors for Alabama prisons to insure their compli-
ance with the standards is also without precedent in
this Court and is unauthorized by any provision of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In Vermont v. New
York, 417 U.S. 270 (1974), this Court rejected the
appointment of a special master to police the execution
of a settlement, citing with approval its previous
expression in Nebraska v. Wyoming, 325 U.S. 589
(1945), that “continuing court supervision over decrees
of equitable apportionment of waters was undesirable.”
The decision of the Court of Appeals below also reveals
that the “monitors” called for are not intended to
operate in the same manner as masters provided for by
the Federal Rules. In fact, the Fifth Circuit has recently
described the monitors in this case as “ombudsmen.”
Miller v. Carson, 563 F.2d 741 (5th Cir. 1977).
The question of how far a federal court may go in
fashioning equitable remedies for the erradication of
cruel and unusual punishment in State prison systems
presents an important question of federal law and one
of immediate concern which has not been, but should
be now, settled by this Court. The constitutionality of
some twenty or more state prison systems, including
every state in the Fifth Circuit, is presently being
10
litigated.° Judge Coleman, the author of the. Court of
Appeals’ opinion below, in granting the petitioners a
stay of issuance of the mandate pending the filing of
this petition, stated:
“This stay is granted because the undersigned is of
the opinion that the issues in this appeal are
extremely important and a decision by the
Supreme Court would clarify many issues of state
prison administration.” (Appendix D, infra, p.
30a).
Thus, the issue is important to the parties, to the States
whose prison systems are or may yet come under attack
and to the inmates incarcerated in them, to the citizens
whose attitudes determine what is cruel and unusual
punishment and whose tax monies must be applied to
remedy it, and to the federal courts® whose remedies
should uphold the constitutional mandates but reflect
5 Including: Harris v. Cardwell, 75-185 (D. Ariz.); Anderson v.
Redmond, No. 76-364 (3rd Cir.) (Del.); Costello v. Wainright,
No. 72-.09-Civ (M.D. Fla.); Hardwick v. Ault, CA. 75-139 (M.D.
Ga.); Burbank v. Walker, 76-C-4471 (N.D. IIL); Lightfoot v.
Walker, CV-73-238-E (E.D. Ill.); United States v. Thompson, CV
No. 76-0158 (S.D. Ill.); French v. Raines, I-P-75-677-C (S.2. Ind.);
Williams v. Edwards, 547 F.2d 1206 (5th Cir. 1977) (La);
Nelson v. Collins, V-77-116 and Johnson v. Levine, H-77-113
(D.C. Md.); Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974)
(Miss.); Burks v. Graham, No. 77-4008-CV-C (W.D. Mo.); Bolding
v. Holshouser, N. 76-2151 (4th Cir.) (N.D.); Chapman v. Rhodes,
434 F. Supp. 1007 (S.D. Ohio 1977); Mattison v. South
Carolina, C.A. 76-318 (D.S.C.); Trigg v. Blanton, No. 8-6057
(Chancery Court, Davidson Co., Tenn., Part 1); Ruiz v. Estelle,
C.A. No. 5523 (E.D. Tex.).
©The District Court for the Southern District of Alabama in
McCray v. Sudlivar, C.A. No. 5620-69-H, unreported, refused to
intervene and specify the exact means or methods to be used in
correcting the unconstitutional condition in the prisons, stating
that such duties are “the province and burden of the State and
those departments responsible . . . .” (Appendix J, infra, p. 116a).
ee ee ek eer
‘via
11
the “special delicacy of the adjustment to be preserved
between federal equitable power and state administra-
tion of its own law.” Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362
(1976).
I.
SUIT AGAINST THE STATE OF ALABAMA
The issuance of a mandatory injunction against the
State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Cor-
rections violated Alabama’s Eleventh Amendment im-
munity and directly contradicted this Court’s decisions
in Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232 (1974), Edelman v.
Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974), and Ford Motor
Company v. Department of Treasury of the State of
Indiana, 323 U.S. 459 (1944). These cases hold that the
Eleventh Amendment denies federal courts authority to
entertain suits by private parties against a State or State
agency, if under State law the real party in fact is the
State itself, unless it has given its consent to to be sued.
Section 14 of the Alabama Constitution provides the
“the State of Alabama shall never be made a defendant
in any court of law or equity,” and, consequently, no
person or authority has the power to consent to a suit
against the State. Dunn Construction Co. v. State Board
of Adjustment, 234 Ala. 372, 175 So. 383 (1937). The
prohibition against such suits extends to Stare agencies
such as the Board of Corrections. See White v. Alabama
Insane Hospital, 138 Ala. 479, 35 So. 454 (1903); State
v. Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Co., 243 Ala. 629, 11 So.2d
342 (1943).
The grant of an injunction against the State and the
Board of Corrections in an action based upon 42 U.S.C.
§1983 is in direct conflict with decisions of other
courts of appeal which hold that neither a State nor a
12
State agency is a “person” within the meaning of the
statute and amenable to suit under it. Meredith v.
Anzona, 523 F.2d 481 (9th Cir. 1975); Curtis v.
Everette, 489 F.2d 516 (3rd Cir. 1973). The decisions
below conflict, at least in principle, with this Court’s
holding in City of Kenosha v. Bruno, 412 U.S. 507
(1973), that municipalities are not “persons” under 42
U.S.C. §1983.
The Court of Appeals directed the District Court to
compensate its monitors by rendering judgments against
the State of Alabama for costs. As noted above, the
District Court has no authority or jurisdiction to enter
a judgment against the State in these proceedings and,
in addition, the payment of such salaries and expenses
would not fall within the exceptions of Edelman uv.
Jordan, 415 U.S. 651 (1974) and Ex Parte Young, 209
U.S. 123 (1908).
It is essential that the Court act, not only because
the State of Alabama itself has been specifically ordered
in this case to pay the compensation and expenses of
the monitors and the Human Rights Committee, but
because by the use of such injunctions federal courts
may place themselves in positions of control over States
as soverign entities rather than over particular officials
who may only be compelled to perform their delegated
functions in a constitutional manner. The issuance of
the injunction against the State is neither accidental nor
incidental, and unless addressed now by this Court,
even more serious confrontations between the federal
judiciary and the States in this and other actions can be
expected.
re ee ey
—-
ee eee
13
Il.
DENIAL OF JURY TRIAL
The action of the District Court, sanctioned by the
Court of Appeals, in allowing the plaintiffs to avoid a
jury trial by severing the class representative’s individual
claim for damages, dropping the claims for class
damages without notice to the class, and proceeding to
trial on the declaratory judgment and injunctive aspects
of the case without a jury, is in clear violation of this
Court’s rulings on Seventh Amendment rights in Curtis
v. Loether, 415 U.S. 189 (1974), Ross v. Bernhard, 396
U.S. 531 (1970), Datry Queen, Inc. v. Wood, 369 U.S.
569 (1962), and Beacon Theatres, Inc. v. Westover, 359
U.S. 500 (1959).
The plaintiffs in Pugh v. Locke, C.A. No. 74-57-N,
asked for monetary, declaratory and injunctive relief, all
based upon a common set of allegations and facts, and
the District Court later noted that “the questions of
law and fact, presented by the named plaintiffs are
common to the class, as are the claims presented by the
class representatives...” Pugh v. Locke, 406 F. Supp.
318 (M.D. Ala. 1976) (Appendix E, infra, pp. 33a-34a).
Assuming, as the District Court did, that a jury trial
would be available on a damage claim under 42 U.S.C.
§1983,’ a jury trial would also be available on the
same issues under a prayer for a declaratory judgment.
Beacon Theatres, Inc. v. Westover, supra. Similarly, the
addition of a request for injunctive relief would not
7This Court has analogized cases under 42 U.S.C. §1983 to
traditional tort actions. Pierson v. Ray, 398 U.S. 547 (1967);
Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167 (1961). It is also held that a jury
trial could be obtained im an action under 42 U.S.C. §3612 where
both damages and injunctive relief was sought. Curtis v. Loether,
415 U.S. 189 (1974).
14
authorize a non-jury trial on the legal issues involved.
Curtis v. Loether, supra. This Court’s decisions in
Beacon and Dairy Queen also require that in cases of
this nature, where equitable and legal issues are joined,
the issues common to both claims must be tried by a
jury pnor to determination of the equitable claims. The
opposite was done below.
The importance of this issue to the individual
petitioners here cannot be over-emphasized, since the
damage claims against them have not been resolved.
Nevertheless, of even greater consequence is the effect
which this procedure for isolating the demand for a
jury trial may have upon the multitude of class action
prison suits now pending around the country. Are State
officials who are defendants in actions brought under
42 U.S.C. §1983 not to be afforded a single jury trial
on issues common to both legal and equitable claims
where both damages and an injunction are sought?
Conversely, where the questions of fact are common to
the named plaintiffs, the class representatives, and the
class as a whole, can State officials be put to trial twice
on the same issues because of a severance of claims
made to avoid a jury trial? This Court has noted that
“any seeming curtailment of the right to a jury trial
should be scrutinized with the utmost care,” Demick v.
Schiedt, 293 U.S. 474, 486 (1934), and we respectfully
submit that a condemnation of the procedure used in
this case to avoid a jury trial is necessary to the
meaningful preservation of jury trials in §1983 actions
and even in other actions where both monetary
damages and injunctive relief are claimed.
15
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, it is respectfully submitted
that this Petition for a Writ of Certiorari should be
granted.
Respectfully submitted,
THomasS S. LAWSON, JR.
W. SCEARS BARNES, JR.
WILLIAM J. BAXLEY
LARRY R. NEWMAN
Counsel for Petitioners.
la
APPENDIX A
[5847] N. H. NEWMAN et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
Vv.
STATE OF ALABAMA et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Jerry Lee PUGH, for himself and
others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
Vv.
Judson C. LOCKE, Jr. and State of
| Alaba L.,
A p p E N D X I nay aac
Worley JAMES et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
v.
George C. WALLACE et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
No. 76-2269.
United States Court of Appeals,
Fifth Circuit.
Sept. 16, 1977.
[5849] Appeals from the United States Dis-
trict Court for the Middle District of
Alabama.
~
[5850]
2a
Before COLEMAN, Circuit Judge,
KUNZIG*, Judge, and GEE, Circuit
Judge.
COLEMAN, Circuit Judge.
[1] The Eighth Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, rein-
forced by the Fourteenth Amendment,
prohibits the imposition of cruel and un-
usual punishment. It is much too late in
the day for states and prison authorities
to think that they may withhold from
prisoners the basic necessities of life,
which include reasonably adequate food,
clothing, shelter, sanitation, and neces-
sary medical attention, Gates v. Collier, 5
Cir., 1974, 501 F.2d 1291; Newman v.
Alabama, 5 Cir., 1974, 503 F.2d 1320,
cert. denied 421 U.S. 948, 95 S.Ct. 1680,
44 L.Ed.2d 102; Williams v. Edwards, 5
Cir., 1977, 547 F.2d 1206.
[2] It should not need repeating that
compliance with constitutional standards
may not be frustrated by legislative in-
action or failure to provide the nevessary
funds, Gates v. Collier, supra, at 1319;
Smith v. Sullivan, 5 Cir., 1977, 553 F.2d
373.
* Judge of the United States Court of Claims,
sitting by designation.
RY ORE NE PoE onc ORT
ear Or Epes ee te er me
3a
[3-5] On the other hand, lawful in-
carceration necessitates withdrawal of or
limitations upon many individual privi-
leges and rights. A prisoner does not
retain constitutional rights that are in-
consistent with his status as a prisoner
or with the legitimate penological objec-
tives of the corrections system. Wide
ranging deference must be accorded the
decisions of prison administrators. They,
and not the courts, must be permitted to
make difficult judgments concerning
prison operations, Jones v. North Caroli-
na Prisoners’ Labor Union, Inc. [1977],
— US. , 97 S.Ct. 2532, 53 L.Ed.2d
. In his concurring opinion in
Jones, Mr. Chief Justice Berger wrote
that in penal matters the federal courts
may not “second guess” legislatures and
prison administrators except in the most
extraordinary circumstances.
The present case is somewhat similar
to Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 96 S.Ct.
598, 46 L.Ed.2d 561. There petitioners
claimed that the judgment of the Dis-
trict Court represented an unwarranted
intrusion by the federal judiciary into
the discretionary authority committed to
them by state and local law to perform
their official functions. The Supreme
Court found itself “substantially in
4a
agreement with th(o)se claims”, at 366,
96 S.Ct. at 602. The case involved an
“assertedly pervasive pattern of illegal
and unconstitutional mistreatment by
police officers”.
The Supreme Court said,
“Where, as here, the exercise of au-
thority by state officials is attacked,
federal courts must be constantly
mindful of the ‘special delicacy of the
adjustment to be preserved between
federal equitable power and state ad-
ministration of its own law’. * * *
Even in an action between private in-
dividuals, it has long been held that an
injunction is ‘to be used sparingly, and
only in a clear and plain case’.
The Court concluded that when the
District Court injected itself into the in-
ternal disciplinary affairs of the Phila-
delphia Police Department, a state agen-
cy, it had departed from the controlling
precepts of federalism in determining
the availability and scope of equitable
relief. The judgment of the Court of
Appeals affirming the decree of the Dis-
trict Court which directed the imposition
of a comprehensive program for dealing
adequately with civilian complaints was
reversed.
Se re
[5851]
5a
This does not mean that Constitutional
standards are not to be scrupulously ob-
served or that the statutes designed to
enforce that objective are to be denied
full effect. It does mean in the prison
context that federal courts should keep
their eyes on the main objective, the
Eighth Amendment command for the
eradication of cruel and unusual punish-
ment. The remedy must be designed to
accomplish that goal, not to exercise ju-
dicial power for the attainment of what
we as individuals might like to see ac-
‘complished in the way of ideal prison
conditions. There are those who would
argue that imprisonment in any form is
cruel and unusual. The Amendment,
however, recognizes the right to punish
for criminal conduct as long as that pun-
ishment does not escalate to the cruel
and unusual.
For example, we have held that visita-
tion privileges are matters subject to the
discretion of prison officials, McCray v.
Sullivan, 5 Cir., 1975, 509 F.2d 1332,
1334.
Failure of prison authorities to provide
a rehabilitation program does not by it-
self constitute cruel and unusual punish-
ment, Ibid, at 1335.
6a
[6] Federal courts are extremely re-
luctant to limit the freedom of prison
officials to classify prisoners as they, in
their broad discretion, may deem appro-
priate, Ibid, at 1334; Young v. Wain-
wright, 5 Cir., 1971, 449 F.2d 388.
State penitentiaries are occupied by
convicted felons, either ineligible for or
found to be unworthy of probation. By
its very nature, the operation of such a
prison is a dangerous’ undertaking.
Time and time again, experience has
dramatically taught that the manage-
ment and control of prisons, the preven-
tion of mass violence within prisons, and
the safe retention of convicts within
prison walls, present problems of the
first magnitude, in which failures occur
all too often, as recently demonstrated at
Brushy Mountain, Tennessee. There was
intense nationwide interest when a noto-
rious prisoner escaped but not much con-
cern had previously been shown for the
problems of prison officials in trying to
hold him inside the walls.
[7] The authority to manage and con-
trol a felony prison should never be un-
duly restricted or divided. That authori-
ty must repose in one well identified
place, limited only by the requirements
of the law.
7a
I
This appeal is concerned with the rem-
edies prescribed by the very able District
Court for the eradication of cruel and
unusual punishment in the Alabama
State Prison System, Pugh v. Locke, 406
F.Supp. 318 (M.D.Ala., 1976). At the
federal level this involves a comparative-
ly new field of the law. It was not until
1962 that the Supreme Court applied the
Eighth Amendment ban to the states
through the Fourteenth Amendment,
Robinson v. State of California, 370 U.S.
660, 82 S.Ct. 1417, 8 L.Ed.2d 758.
The State concedes that the evidence
established excessive overcrowding in
these prisons, that there were not suffi-
cient guards to reasonably protect the
inmates from one another, and that the
overcrowding was primarily responsible
for and exacerbated all the other ills of
the penal system. As detailed in its pub-
lished opinion, other indefensible condi-
tions were found by the District Court,
findings clearly supported by the evi-
dence.
At the outset, then, the case is reduced
to a constitutional appraisal of the reme-
dies required of the State. The State
contends that in fashioning those reme-
[5852]
8a
dies the District Court “exceeded its ju-
dicial power and abused its discretion”.
[8] Our first response is that the de-
termined efforts of the highly dedicated
District Judge to put an end to unconsti-
tutional conditions in the Alabama pris-
on system merit high commendation.
We cannot believe that the good people
of a great state approved the prison situ-
ation demonstrated by the evidence in
this case. We note, too, that for more
than a year funds for an entirely new
prison have been available as the result
of legislative action, which is likewise
commended. A state has no higher duty
than the preservation of its governmen-
tal integrity by the enforcement of its
own laws, which inescapably includes the
maintenance of an effective state prison
system. This Court expresses the hope
that the difficulties encountered in nam-
ing a location for the new prison will be
speedily resolved.
{9} Our real issue is whether in striv-
ing to attain constitutional objectives the
District Court in a few respects went
impermissibly beyond the requirements
of the federal constitution; more specifi-
cally, did the Court supersede the duly
constituted state authorities in the per-
9a
formance of vital state functions rather
than compelling those authorities to per-
form those functions in a constitutional
manner? We all understand, of course,
that federal courts have no authority to
address state officials out of office or to
fire state employees or to take over the
performance of their functions. Most
assuredly, however, in proper cases a
federal court can, and must, compel state
officials or employees to perform their
official duties in compliance with the
Constitution of the United States.
[10] At the outset we hold that the
steps taken by the District Court to en-
sure reasonably adequate food, clothing,
shelter, sanitation, necessary medical at-
tention, and personal safety for the pris-
oners were within its sound discretion
and will not be disturbed on appeal.
Some of the steps in regard to these
matters, if considered in isolation, may
have gone beyond constitutional man-
dates but they were justifiably invoked
for the eradication of Eighth Amend-
ment conditions. We do not pause to
discuss a number of state contentions
which are foreclosed by our opinion in
Williams v. Edwards, 5 Cir., 1977, 547
F.2d 1206, decided after this appeal was
filed and briefed.
10a
There are a few features of the case,
however, in which we are of the opinion
that less intrusive, but equally effective,
measures should have been taken by the
District Court. An adjustment of these
matters within constitutional bounds
should not hamper or impede the attain-
ment of an effective, constitutionally op-
erated state penal system. As to these
matters, we think some modifications are
in order. With those modifications, the
judgment of the District Court will be
affirmed and the case remanded for fur-
ther proceedings not inconsistent here-
with.
II
[11] Unless intended to apply only to
existing facilities we do not discern the
constitutional basis for the requirement
that Alabama state prisoners shall be
housed in individual cells, nor can we
agree that “design” standards, without
more, amount to a per se constitutional
limitation on the number oi prisoners
which may be housed in a particular
prison facility. Those who design pris-
ons are not vested with either the duty
or the power to prescribe constitutional
standards as to prison space. Assuming
that the District Court intended these
PORATION IE RTE AS
Se ee ee ee
[5853
lla
limitations to apply only to presently ex-
isting prisons and not to those hereafter
to be constructed the judgment in these
respects is affirmed.
The Court required that all new prison
construction should provide sixty square
feet of space per prisoner. We remand
this requirement to the District Court
for further consideration in the light of
our opinion in Williams v. Edwards, 547
F.2d, at 1215.
Ill
The District Court established and ap-
pointed a “Human Rights Committee”,
composed of 39 individuals. Whether
they were qualified by training or expe-
rience in the operation of a state prison
system is not shown. At State expense,
the Committee was authorized to employ
a fulltime staff consultant, other special-
ists, and a fulltime clerk-stenographer.
The Committee members were to be
compensated at the same rate as that
paid the Alabama State Board of Correc-
tions.
The Committee was authorized to mo-
nitor implementation of the standards
prescribed by the Court’s decree as well
12a
as those prescribed in Newman v. Ala-
bama.' The Order provided that
“(T]he Committee may at reasonable
times inspect the state prison facilities,
interview inmates, and inspect institu-
tional records. The Committee shall
review plans for implementation of
this decree to ensure that they com-
port with minimum standards set
forth. . . .. The Committee shall
be authorized to take any action [em-
phasis added] reasonably necessary to
accomplish its function.”
Our initial reaction is that “reviewing
plans for implementation of this decree
to ensure that they comport with mini-
mum standards set forth” could more
properly have been assigned to the mag-
istrate or to a master, qualified to hold
hearings, make findings of fact, a.id re-
port to the Court for its approval or
disapproval. Moreover, the authority to
“take any action”, with no accompany-
ing standards or limitations, could
amount, in practical effect, to turning
the administration of the prisons over to
the Committee, as, in some respects, ap-
pears to have occurred.
1. D.C., 349 F.Supp. 278, affirmed in part, 5
Cir., 1974, 503 F.2d 1320, cert. denied 421
U.S. 948, 95 S.Ct. 1680, 44 L.Ed.2d 102.
na
OM SO) RT Ee er er
13a
It may be that in setting up the Com-
mittee the Court had in mind the ap-
pointment of numerous biracial commit-
tees in school desegregation cases. The
analogy is not altogether inapposite but
we are not aware of any school desegre-
gation decree in this Circuit which au-
thorized such committees to do more
than assemble information, confer, ad-
vise, and make representations to the
school board and the court. They did
not participate in “day to day” school
operations, they received no compensa-
tion, and their function did not have ei-
ther the appearance or the effect of su-
perseding school boards or faculties in
the daily administration of the school
systems. Additionally, the circumstances
surrounding the operation of schools are
quite different to those prevailing in the
operation of a penitentiary.
The State asserts, and it is not disput-
ed, that in a number of instance» prison
authorities and their counsel were not
notified of meetings between committee
members and the District Court with
reference to prison operations; there-
fore, state counsel] were unable to partic-
ipate or to be heard.
[5854]
l4a
The State further asserts that the
Committee impermissibly interfered with
the Alabama Board of Corrections and
its duly authorized agents in the exercise
of powers and duties exclusively con-
ferred upon them by Alabama law.
We have examined numerous letters
appearing in the printed Appendix,
signed by the Chairman of the 39 mem-
ber Committee, addressed to the Ala-
bama Board of Corrections or its agent,
in which the addressees were directed to
take specified action in regard to certain
matters. These letters state that they
were written at the direction of the Dis-
trict Court.
From the record, we are left with the
firm conviction that the Committee un-
doubtedly did impermissibly intrude, and
had every appearance of impermissibly
intruding, upon functions properly be-
longing to the daily operation of the Al-
abama prison system. Prison officials
cannot be expected to perform in an ef-
ficient or an effective manner if they
are required to stay in line with so nu-
merous a Committee, at the same time
constantly confronted with the spectre of
federal contempt of court.
ERTS FUP
ape
15a
[12] This is not to say that the Dis-
trict Court could not take and should not
have taken appropriate steps to ensure
compliance with its remedial decree. We
think, however, that a more reasonable,
less intrusive, more effective approach
would have been to name one monitor
for each of the prisons involved, with
full authority to observe, and to report
his observations to the Court, with no
authority to intervene in daily prison op-
erations.
The use of a single monitor was the
approach, not disapproved by this Court,
in Gates v. Collier, supra. ,
The oversight of the proposed moni-
tors might well be placed in the hands of
a magistrate or a master, who could deal
with alleged, but disputed, non-compli-
ance in findings of fact and conclusions
of law, subject to the ultimate decision
of the District Judge, where appropriate.
By the single monitor method, the
prison authorities will be diverted from
the execution of their duties to the ex-
tent of conferring and cooperating with
only one court-authorized individual. As
a matter of fact, informal conferences
between the warden and only one indi-
vidual holding a charter from the Court
16a
would likely put an end to many prob-
lems without any necessity for further
reference.
Such a monitor should be a person of
undeniable qualifications, carefully cho-
sen, hopefully with experience in the op-
eration of a state or federal prison sys-
tem which has not been in litigation over
failure to abide by the Constitution.
Upon remand, and no later than thirty
days from the receipt of our mandate,
the District Court should dissolve the 39
member Committee and its functions
should be terminated. The Court should
name a monitor for each of the prisons
which are the subject of the remedial
decree. The guidelines for the monitors,
and the duties of the prison authorities
as to their cooperation with those moni-
tors, should be specifically spelled out by
an appropriate order so that none of
those involved will suffer any reasonable
doubt as to what is required of both
monitors and prison officials.
When so appointed, and their func-
tions defined, the monitors may be paid
2. It may be that one monitor could adequately
take care of more than one prison. If so, the
District Court may act accordingly.
[5855]
17a
reasonable compensation, consistently
with their qualifications and experience,
to be recovered from the State of Ala-
bama as a part of the reasonable costs of
this litigation.
Since the order appointing the 39
member Committee was not void ab ini-
tio the compensation and expense of its
members and staff as heretofore fixed
by the District Court will stand undis-
turbed, to be paid by the State as a part
of the costs of this critically important
litigation.
IV
Appellants complain vigorously of the
actions of the District Court in assigning
a major role in the classification of pris-
oners to the Prison Classification Project
of the University of Alabama. In re-
sponse to an inquiry propounded by this
Court through appropriate judicial chan-
nels we are now in possession of an or-
der entered by the District Court on July
19, 1977, in which the Court adjudged
that the University of Alabama group is
no longer functioning insofar as these
cases are concerned. That being true,
we find this aspect of the appeal to be
moot. We make no comment thereon
18a
except to say that we understand the
classification of prisons in the Alabama
prison system will hereafter proceed un-
der the control and direction of the duly
constituted Alabama prison authorities,
with no interference or participation by
any outside group, saving, of course, the
right of the District Court by appropri-
ate measures, if needed, to see to it that
constitutionally required classification
standards, if any, are observed by the
prison authorities in the exercise of a
function which is fundamentally theirs,
McCray v. Sullivan, 5 Cir., 1975, 509 F.2d
1332.
V
[13] Failure of prison authorities to
provide a rehabilitation program, by it-
self, does not constitute cruel and un-
usual punishment, McCray v. Sullivan, 5
Cir., 1975, 509 F.2d 1332, 1335.
[14,15] Amicus Curiae, the United
States, concedes that there is no consti-
tutional right to rehabilitation for pris-
oners. It does proceed to argue, how-
ever, that “states have a duty to insure
that the mental, physical, and emotional
status of prisoners in their custody do
not deteriorate”. On the face of it, this
19a
is not a well considered statement. The
mental, physical, and emotional status of
individuals, whether in or out of custody,
do deteriorate and there is no power on
earth to prevent it. We think that what
the government must have meant is that
states may not inflict cruel and unusual
punishment that would likely lead to
such results. The briefs for the parties
plaintiff and for the State of Alabama
deal with this idea to considerable
length. We decline to enter this un-
charted bog. If the State furnishes its
prisoners with reasonably adequate food,
clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care,
and personal safety, so as to avoid the
imposition of cruel and unusual punish-
ment, that ends its obligations unde:
Amendment Eight. The Constitutior
does not require that prisoners, as indi-
viduals or as a group, be provided with
any and every amenity which some per-
son may think is needed to avoid mental,
physical, and emotional deterioration.
Even so, on the facts of this case, we
affirm the actions of the District Court
designed to provide Alabama prison in-
mates with reasonable recreational facili-
ties. We do this simply because such
facilities may play an important role in
[5856]
20a
extirpating the effects of the conditions
which undisputably prevailed in these
prisons at the time the District Court
entered its order.
VI
[16] The District Court directed that
inmates should be allowed to receive vis-
itors on at least a weekly basis. Under
our decision in McCray v. Sullivan, we
feel that visitation regulations should be
left to the prison authorities, wisely
adapted to individual circumstances if
their sound discretion should so dictate,
or included in general rules which will
allow prisoners reasonable visitation.
[17] The Court further directed that
visitors should not be “subjected to any
unreasonable searches”. Of course, no
citizen not a prisoner may be subjected
to unreasonable searches. Even s0,
within a prison the prime consideration
is the preservation of the safety and se-
curity of the prison, including the exclu-
sion of contraband. Prison authorities
have both the right and the duty by all
reasonable means to see to it that visi-
tors are not smuggling weapons or other
objects which could be used in an effort
to escape or to harm other prisoners.
ee
AE EE ON Oe
2la
They have a duty to intercept narcotics
and other harmful contraband. This is
no more an intrusion on the rights of
visitors than the requirement that per-
sons about to board commercial aircraft
shall have their persons and baggage
electronically searched for the purpose of
determining that they are not carrying
weapons, United States v. Cyzewski, 5
Cir., 1973, 484 F.2d 509, cert. denied, 415
U.S. 902, 94 S.Ct. 936, 39 L.Ed.2d 459.
That which would be unreasonable in the
outside world may be indispensable with-
in a prison.
Additionally, we conclude that prison
authorities should not be required to
maintain prison security with one eye on
the subject and the other on the conse-
quences of contempt, in which the Dis-
trict Court could convert a warden into
prisoner. If abuses actually exist, there
are other remedies less likely to interfere
with the ongoing safety of the prison.
Upon remand the District Court
should eliminate this item from its de-
cree, reserving the right to take the nec-
essary action with reference to actual
abuses if they persist to an extent justi-
fying injunctive relief.
22a
Vil
The injunction included the Governor
of Alabama. Our examination of the
record indicates that he has no hand in
the operations of the Alabama penal sys-
tem beyond the customary budget rec-
ommendations to the legislature and the
appointment of the Alabama Board of
Corrections. The statute vests all power
and control in the Board. Upon remand,
the District Court should dissolve the in-
junction entered against the Governor.
The same action should be taken as to
those members of the Board and other
prison officials who are no longer in of-
fice and thus have no further responsi-
bility for the implementation of the
Court decree. To the extent herein ap-
proved, the injunction will, of course, re-
main in full force and effect as to those
actually running the system until such
ime as it mav he shown in the vistriet
Cuuec Laat the prisens «re veing onerat-
sQimoa co w..itulional mawner :nat cne
Court shculd remove itseli irom prison
operations at the earliest date consistent
with the vindication of constitutional
rights is no doubt well known to the
District Court.
eee ee eed eagles
POD YE SO Et te ee
[5857]
23a
Vill
[18] The District Court directed that
each prisoner shall be assigned to a
meaningful job on the basis of his or her
abilities and interests, and according to
institutional needs. While there is no
federal constitutional mandate for this
proviso, as phrased it should not impose
any real burden on the penitentiary au-
thorities, so, in the context of this case
we allow it to stand, not, however, to
enjoy any precedential status in future
cases if they should arise.
[19] We interpret those portions of
the Order dealing with opportunities to
obtain a basic education, to attend voca-
tional school, and to attend a transitional
program prior to release as meaning that
if the prison authorities operate such
programs each prisoner shall have impar-
tially equal access on an objective stan-
dard of basic utility to the individual.
We would find it difficult to hold, and
we do not now hold, that if the state has
no such programs it amounts to cruel
and unusual punishment within the pro-
hibitions of the Eighth Amendment. As
a matter of fact, in the operation of a
good prison system, we understand that
such programs are fairly standard prac-
tices, instituted and operated on the ini-
tiative of state prison authorities.
24a 25a
Conclusion APPENDIX B
With the modifications herein enumer- UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
ated, the judgment of the District Court For the Fifth Circuit
is affirmed. The case is remanded for
further proceedings consistent herewith No. 76-2269
and for such other and further action as ,
the District Court, pending the termina- D.C. Docket Nos. CA-3501-N,
oe : . , CA-74-57-N & CA-74-203-N
tion of this litigation, may find it neces-
sary to take for the vindication of
Eighth Amendment rights. N.H. NEWMAN et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
AFFIRMED and REMANDED.
Vv.
STATE OF ALABAMA et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Jerry Lee PUGH, for himself and
others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
V.
; Judson C. LOCKE, Jr. and State of
Alabama, et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Worley JAMES et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
Vv.
26a
George C. WALLACE et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Alabama
Before COLEMAN, Circuit Judge, KUNZIG*, Judge,
and GEE, Circuit Judge.
JUDGMENT
This cause came on to be heard on the transcript of
the record from the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Alabama, and was argued by counsel;
ON CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, It is now here
ordered and adjudged by this Court that the judgment
of the said District Court in this cause be, and the same
is hereby, affirmed; and that this cause be, and the
same is hereby remanded to the said District Court in
accordance with the opinion of this Court.
September 16, 1977
Issued as Mandate:
*Judge of the United States Court of Claims, sitting by
designation.
27a
APPENDIX C
United States Court of Appeals
FIFTH CIRCUIT
OFFICE OF THE CLERK
November 7, 1977
EDWARD W. WADSWORTH
CLERK
TO ALL PARTIES LISTED BELOW:
NO. 76-2269 — NEWMAN v. STATE OF ALABAMA
Dear Counsel:
This is to advise that an order has this day been
entered denying the petition(s) for rehearing,** and no
member of the panel nor Judge in regular active service
on the Court having requested that the service on the
Court having requested that the Court be polled on
rehearing en banc (Rule 35, Federal Rules of Appellate
Procedure; Local Fifth Circuit Rule 12) the petition( )
for rehearing en banc also been denied.
See Rule 41, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
for issuance and stay of the mandate.
Very truly yours,
EDWARD W. WADSWORTH, Clerk
By /s/ Brenda M. Hauck
Deputy Clerk
28a
29a
**on behalf of all parties, APPENDIX D
cc: Mr. William J. Baxley IN THE
oe ; Ir UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
Mr. W. Scears Barnes, Jr. | FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
Messrs. Thomas S. Lawson, Jr.
William K. Martin
Mr. John C. Hoyle
Mr. Robert D. Segall
Mr. Joseph J. Levin, Jr.
Mr. George Peach Taylor
Messrs. Alvin J. Bronstein
Matthew L. Myers
Messrs. Walter W. Barnett
Stephen A. Whinston
[Filed NOV 28, 1977]
NO. 76-2269
N.H. NEWMAN, et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
V.
STATE OF ALABAMA et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Jerry Lee PUGH, for himself and
others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
Vv.
Judson C. LOCKE, Jr. and State of
Alabama, et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Worley JAMES et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
Vv.
30a
George C. WALLACE et al.,
Defendants-Appellants.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Alabama
ORDER:
The motion of the appellants for stay of the issuance
of the mandate pending petition for writ of certiorari is
GRANTED.
The stay shall continue in force until the final
disposition of the case by the Supreme Court, provided,
however, that within the period prescribed for the filing
of the petition there shall be filed with the Clerk of
this Court the certificate of the Clerk of the Supreme
Court that the petition for certiorari has in fact been
filed.
The Clerk shall issue the mandate upon the filing of
a copy of an order of the Supreme Couit denying the
writ, or upon the expiration of the stay granted herein,
as the case may be.
This stay is granted because the undersigned is of the
opinion that the issues in this appeal are extremely
important and a decision by the Supreme Court would
clarify many issues of state prison administration.
This November 25, 1977.
/s/ J.P. Coleman
UNITED STATES
CIRCUIT JUDGE
3la
APPENDIX E
[318] Jerry Lee PUGH, for himself and all
others similarly situated, Plaintiffs,
v.
Judson C. LOCKE, Jr., individually and
in his official capacity as Commission-
er of the Alabama Board of Correc-
tions, et al., Defendants.
WILCOX COUNTY COMMISSION, as
the governing body of the County of
Wilcox, State of Alabama, and all oth-
er counties similarly situated, and As-
sociation of County Commissions of
Alabama, a voluntary association, In-
tervening Ancillary Plaintiffs,
v.
Melba Till ALLEN, individually and as
State Treasurer, State of Alabama, et
al., Ancillary Defendants,
Ira DeMent, United States Attorney,
Amicus Curiae.
Worley JAMES et al., Plaintiffs,
v.
George C. WALLACE, individually and
in his official capacity as Governor
of Alabama, et al., Defendants.
32a
WILCOX COUNTY COMMISSION, as
the governing body of the County of
Wilcox, State of Alabama, and all oth-
er counties similarly situated, and As-
sociation of County Commissions of
Alabama, a voluntary association, In-
tervening Ancillary Plaintiffs,
v.
Melba Till ALLEN, individually and as
State Treasurer, State of Alabama, et
al., Ancillary Defendants,
The National Prison Project of the
American Civil Liberties Union Foun-
dation, Inc., and Ira DeMent, United
States Attorney, Amici Curiae.
Civ. A. Nos. 74-203-N, 74-57-N.
United States District Court,
M. D. Alabama, N. D.
Jan. 13, 1976.
[32i]
33a
MEMORANDUM OPINION
JOHNSON, Chief Judge.
In these consolidated class actions,!
plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive
relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for
deprivation of their Eighth and Four-
teenth Amendment rights. This Court
has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1343,
2201 and 2202. This Court, as authoriz-
ed by Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, incorporates in this
memorandum opinion the appropriate
findings of fact and conclusions of law.
{1] The Court finds that these ac-
tions are maintainable as class actions
under Federal Rule 23(a) and (b 2).
The class is composed of all persons pres-
ently confined by the Alabama Board of
Corrections or who may be so confined
in the future. The Court finds that the
class is so numerous that joinder is im-
practicable; that the questions of law
1. These class actions were consolidated on
June 27, 1975, and tried together. Following
trial of these cases, the pleadings in Pugh were
amended to conform to the evidence, and the
relief requested is now essentially identical to
that requested in James. Consequently, this
order will be entered in both cases. See Fed.
R.Civ.P. 15(b).
34a
and fact presented by the named plain-
tiffs are common to the class, as are the
claims presented by the class represen _a-
tives; and that the competent represen-
tation provided the named plaintiffs will
adequately protect the interests of the
class as a whole. The Court further
finds that the defendants in both cases
have acted and refused to act on
grounds applicable to the class, for which
both declaratory and injunctive relief are
appropriate. The defendants, sued in
their individual and official capacities,
are the Governor of Alabama, the Com-
missioner of the Alabama Board of Cor-
rections,? the Deputy Commissioner of
the Alabama Board of Corrections, the
members of the Board of Corrections,
the Warden of Kilby Corrections Facili-
ty,? and the Warden of G. K. Fountain
2. The original defendant, Commissioner L. B.
Sullivan, left office during the pendency of
these actions. His successor, Judson C.
Locke, Jr., replaces Sullivan as a defendant.
See Fed.R.Civ.P. 25(d).
3. Kilby Corrections Facility was formerly Mt.
Meigs Medical and Diagnostic Center. The
name of the institution was changed by Act of
the Alabama Legislature during the pendency
of these actions.
35a
Correctional Center. The predecessors in
office of these defendants, who were
sued in their individual and official ca-
pacities, are retained as individual de-
fendants. The Court has also had the
able assistance of United States Attor-
ney Ira DeMent and the American Civil
Liberties Union National Prison Project,
as amici curiae.
The complaint in Pugh v. Locke was
originally filed by an inmate of G. K.
Fountain Correctional Center on Febru-
ary 26, 1974. The amended compiaint
was filed by court-appointed counsel on
April 16, 1974, seeking declaratory, in-
[322] junctive and monetary relief for the al-
leged failure of defendants to adequately
protect the plaintiff class from violence
on the part of other inmates. The com-
plaint was filed on behalf of a class com-
posed of all inmates of the state penal
system who have been or may be con-
fined to G. K. Fountain Correctional
Center and who have been, are, or may
be subjected to such violence. At the
request of plaintiffs, the claims for mon-
etary damages were severed by order of
June 27, 1975. The action proceeded on
the claims for declaratory and injunctive
relief.
36a
The original complaint in James v.
Wallace was filed on June 21, 1974. An
amended complaint was filed thereafter
on July 29, 1974, by court-appointed
counsel. That complaint, on behalf of all
inmates incarcerated in state penal insti-
tutions, essentially alleges that defend-
ants fail to provide adequate rehabilita-
tion opportunities for inmates, maintain
conditions in these institutions which
make rehabilitation impossible, and pro-
vide the opportunities that do exist in an
unequal manner—all in violation of
plaintiffs’ Eighth and Fourteenth
Amendment rights.
After extensive pretrial discovery by
parties and amici curiae, the cases were
heard beginning August 20, 1975, in a
trial that lasted seven days. Because
many facts were stipulated, the evidence
at the trial consisted largely of expert
testimony. The cases are now submitted
on evidence offered at trial, depositions,
exhibits, photographs, briefs and over
1,000 stipulated facts. The trial conclud-
ed with the admission by defendants’
lead counsel, in open court, that the evi-
dence conclusively established aggrava-
ted and existing violations of plaintiffs’
Eighth Amendment rights.
37a
The Alabama Board of Corrections
(hereinafter the Board) is charged with
the responsibility for managing the
state’s penal institutions.‘ The Board
currently operates four large institutions
for male inmates—Holman Unit Prison,
G. K. Fountain Correctional Center,
Draper Correctional Center, and Kilby
Corrections Facility. Kilby also contains
the hospital facility for all state prison-
ers and the classification center for male
inmates. The Board also maintains Julia
Tutwiler Prison for women and the
Frank Lee Youth Center for young
men.’ Additionally, there are six road
camps, one pre-release center, and eight
work-release centers. Currently the in-
mate population of these institutions is
in excess of 5,000.
The four principal institutions are hor-
rendously overcrowded. At the time of
the trial of these cases the prison popula-
tion in these four institutions was as fol-
lows:
4. Ala.Code tit. 45, §§ 3, 10(1) (1958).
5. To be eligible for assignment to Frank Lee
Youth Center an inmate must be no more than
23 years old, must have a sentence of less than
10 years, must not have been convicted of a
crime involving violence, and must have no
history of drug abuse.
38a
Maximum Number
for Which Number in
Designed = Custody
Fountain 632 Over 1100
Holman 540 Over 750 .
Draper 632 Over 1000
Kilby 503 Over 700
The overcrowded condition of these in-
stitutions is the subject of another class
action, McCray v. Sullivan, 399 F.Supp.
271 (S.D.Ala.1975). Following the close
of evidence in the instant cases, a joint
interim order was entered by this Court
and the McCray court, enjoining the de-
fendants from accepting any new prison-
ers, except escapees and parole violators,
into these four institutions until the pop-
ulation in each is reduced to design ca-
pacity.£ The purpose of that emergency
order was to prevent aggravation of the
conditions created by the grave Eighth
Amendment violations.
The effects of severe overcrowding are
heightened by the dormitory living ar-
[323] rangements which prevail in these insti-
tutions. Bunks often are packed togeth-
er so closely that there is no walking
space between them. Sanitation and se-
6. Order of August 29, 1975.
39a
curity are impossible to maintain. There
was testimony that the quarantine popu-
lation at Kilby’ is so crowded that in-
mates have to sleep on mattresses spread
on floors in hallways and next to urinals.
As will be noted, overcrowding is pri-
marily responsible for and exacerbates
all the other ills of Alabama’s penal sys-
tem.
The dilapidation of the physical facili-
ties contributes to extremely unsanitary
living conditions. Testimony demon-
strated that windows are broken and un-
screened, creating a serious problem with
mosquitoes and flies. Old and filthy cot-
ton mattresses lead to the spread of con-
tagious diseases and body lice. Nearly
all inmates’ living quarters are inade-
quately heated and ventilated. The elec-
trical systems are totally inadequate, ex-
posed wiring poses a constant danger to
the inmates, and insufficient lighting re-
sults in eye strain and fatigue.
In general, Alabama’s penal institu-
tions are filthy. There was repeated tes-
7. Kilby is the receiving center for inmates be-
ing prc -ssed in and out of state prisons.
New inmates are kept in quarantine for ap-
proximately six weeks. Kilby also maintains a
permanent population of approximately 150.
40a
timony at trial that they are overrun
with roaches, flies, mosquitoes, and other
vermin. A public health expert testified
that he found roaches in all stages of
development—a_ certain indicator of
filthy conditions. This gross infestation
is due in part to inadequate maintenance
and housekeeping procedures, and in
part to the physical structure of the
buildings themselves. For example,
floors in many shower rooms are sO po-
rous that it is impossible to keep them
clean. Plumbing facilities are in an ex-
ceptional state of disrepair. In one area
at Draper, housing well over 200 men,
there is oné functioning toilet. Many
toilets will not flush and are overflow-
ing. Some showers cannot be turned off
and continually drip or even pour water.
Frequently there is no hot running
water for substantial periods of time.
Witnesses repeatedly commented on the
overpowering odor emanating from these
facilities.
Personal hygiene is an insurmountable
problem in these circumstances. The
parties stipulated that the state supplies
prisoners only with razor blades and
soap. It was further stipulated that the
state furnished no toothpaste, tooth-
4la
brushes, shampoo, shaving cream, razors
or combs; but that such items are avail-
able for those inmates who can afford
them. Further, household cleaning sup-
plies rarely are available for inmates to
maintain their living areas.
Food service conditions are equally un-
sanitary. Food is improperly stored in
dirty storage units, and is often infested
with insects. Mechanical dishwashers
are not adequately maintained and
therefore do not even approach the mini-
mum temperature required for proper
sanitation. Moreover, food service per-
sonnel, many of whom are inmates, are
often untrained and do not follow proper
sanitation procedures in the handling
and preparation of food. Inmates are
not supplied with reasonable eating and
drinking utensils; some inmates drink
from used tin cans, and have to wash
and save their own utensils from meal to
meal. Garbage sits in large open drums
throughout the dining halls. As a gener-
al rule, the food is unappetizing and un-
wholesome. Inmates with some source
of funds may supplement their diets
from the prison canteen, but the |
majority must subsist only on what is
supplied by the kitchen. One menu is
[324]
42a
prepared for all inmates who require a
special diet, regardless of whether it
meets their particular needs.
One expert witness, a United States
public health officer, toured facilities at
Draper, Fountain, Holman, and Kilby.
He testified at trial that he found these
facilities wholly unfit for human habita-
tion according to virtually every criteri-
on used for evaluation by public health
inspectors. With very few exceptions,
his testimony was that, if such facilities
were under his jurisdiction, he would
recommend that they be closed and con-
demned as an imminent danger to the
health of the individuals exposed to
them. This Court credits this testimony
and makes it a part of these findings.
There is no working classification sys-
tem in the Alabama penal system, and
the degree to which this impedes the
attainment of any proper objectives of a
penal system cannot be overstated. Al-
though classification personnel through-
- out the state prisons have been attempt-
ing to implement a wholly new classifi-
cation process established in January,
1975, understaffing and overcrowding
have produced a total breakdown of that
process. For no valid reason apparent
43a
from the evidence, far too many inmates
receive maximum security classifications
under the present classification system.
Moreover, during what is called the clas-
sification process, new inmates, who are
already trying to adjust to the new envi-
ronment of the prison, are restricted to
the overcrowded living quarters and are
permitted neither visitors nor recreation.
Testing and evaluation of these individu-
als, essential to a working classification
system, cannot be regarded as reliable or
even useful when conducted under such
traumatic and stressful conditions.
Prison officials do not dispute the evi-
dence that most inmates are assigned to
the various institutions, to particular
dormitories, and to work assignments al-
most entirely on the basis of available
space. Consequently, the appreciable
percentage of inmates suffering from
some mental disorder is unidentified, and
the mentally disturbed are dispersed
throughout the prison population with-
out receiving treatment. This Court
previously found in an Alabama prison
system case that approximately 10 per-
cent of the inmate population are psy-
chotic, and that another 60 percent are
44a
disturbed enough to require treatment.®
The evidence in the instant cases clearly
reflects that nothing has been done to
alleviate this situation. Some of these
inmates should, according to the undis-
puted evidence presented in these cases,
be transferred to a facility for the crimi-
nally insane, and many others should be
treated within the penal system. The
evidence further reflects that there are
also a number of mentally retarded in-
mates who need to be, according to any
humanitarian concept, identified and
placed in an appropriate environment.
A 1972 study prepared by the University
of Alabama Center for Correctional Psy-
chology, under contract with the Board
of Corrections, highlighted the woefully
inadequate mental health program in Al-
abama prisons and suggested minimum
standards. None of these recommended
standards have been implemented. The
findings and conclusions of that study
are fully supported by the evidence in
these cases.
8. Newman v. Alabama, 349 F.Supp. 278 (M.D.
Ala.1972), aff'd in part 503 F.2d 1320 (5th Cir.
1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 948, 95 S.Ct. 1680,
44 L.Ed.2d 102 (1975).
45a
Further effects of failure to classify
are manifold. Violent inmates are not
isolated from those who are young, pas-
sive, or weak. Consequently, the latter
inmates are repeatedly victimized by
those who are stronger and more aggres-
sive. Testimony shows that robbery,
rape, extortion, theft and assault are ev-
eryday occurrences among the general
inmate population. Rather than face
this constant danger, some inmates vol-
untarily subject themselves to the inhu-
man conditions of prison isolation cells.
Emotional and physical disabilities
which require special attention pass un-
noticed. There is no rational basis on
which to assign inmates to the few voca-
tional, educational and work opportuni-
ties which do exist. All of this contrib-
utes to the apathy, tension and frustra-
tion which pervade Alabama prisons.
The inmate population also contains a
number of aged and infirm who are of-
ten housed in dormitories in which condi-
tions are particularly hazardous. There
[325] are no special programs to meet the
needs of these people and they are fre-
quently unprotected from the general
population. For example, in Draper
such prisoners—some of them confined
46a
to wheelchairs, others scarcely able to
move without help—are left without su-
pervision in second-floor quarters that
are accessible only by stairway, with no
means of evacuation in the event of fire
or other physical emergency, and utterly
helpless in the event of the sort of medi-
cal emergency to which the elderly are
susceptible. In this idleness, filth and
despair, the condition of these inmates
can be expected only to deteriorate fur-
ther.
Each of these failings in Alabama’s
penal system is compounded by that sys-
tem’s most pervasive and most obvious
problem: the overcrowding with which
all prisoners must live. Yet even if the
inmate population were reduced to de-
sign capacity, the system would still be
woefully understaffed. Former Commis-
sioner Sullivan testified that the four
large institutions alone need, at a mini-
mum, 692 guards, but that they current-
ly employ only 383. Guards rarely enter
the cell blocks and dormitories, especially
at night when their presence is most
needed. The extremely high inmate-to-
staff ratio makes personal interaction
between the two virtually impossible be-
47a
cause staff members must spend all their
time attempting to maintain control or
to protect themselves.
Another result of understaffing is that
some inmates have been allowed to as-
sume positions of authority and control
over other inmates, creating opportuni-
ties for blackmail, bribery, and extortion.
Some prisoners are used as “strikers” to
guard other inmates on farm duty and
as “cell flunkies” to maintain order and
perform tasks for prison staff. They are
afforded special privileges, including
freedom to ignore prison regulations and
to abuse other inmates. Inmate clerks
have access to the institutional files and
mail of other inmates; inmate medical
aides are used to dispense some medi-
cation, which they may withhold at will.
The problems posed by understaffing
are aggravated by the fact that most of
the large institutions are located in rural
areas of the state. The guards, drawn
largely from the local population, are
practically all white and rural in contrast
to the predominantly black and urban
inmate population they supervise. A
number of witnesses testified that staff
members address black inmates with ra-
cial slurs, further straining already tense
relations.
48a
In view of the foregoing, the rampant
violence and jungle atmosphere existing
throughout Alabama’s penal institutions
are .no surprise. The evidence reflects
that most prisoners carry some form of
homemade or contraband weapon, which
they consider to be necessary for self-
protection. Shakedowns to remove
weapons are neither sufficiently thor-
ough nor frequent enough to significant-
ly reduce the number of weapons.
There are too few guards to prevent out-
breaks of violence, or even to stop those
which occur.
While it is clear that violence is wide-
spread, there are. no accurate statistics
on the incidence of violence. A cardinal
precept of the convict culture is that no
inmate should report another inmate to
officials. This reluctance to report vio-
lence is compounded by the failure of
prison officials to keep accurate records
of violence which does come to their at-
tention.
One 20-year-old inmate, after relating
that he has been told by medical experts
that he has the mind of a five year old,
testified that he was raped by a group of
inmates on the first night he spent in an
Alabama prison. On the second night he
[326]
49a
was almost strangled by two other in-
mates who decided instead that they
could use him to make a profit, selling
his body to other inmates.
An inmate required to live in these
circumstances stands no chance of leav-
ing the institution with a more positive
and constructive attitude than the one
he or she brought in. The evidence re-
flects that even if rehabilitation pro-
grams, adequate in number and quality,
were available, whatever benefit might
be derived from them could be undone
quickly by this inhumane environment.
Consequently, this Court finds that. these
conditions create an environment in
which it is impossible for inmates to re-
habilitate themselves—or to preserve
skills and constructive attitudes already
possessed—even for those who are in-
clined to do so. Further, this Court
finds that these conditions create an en-
vironment that not only makes it impos-
sible for inmates to rehabilitate them-
selves but also makes dehabilitation in-
evitable.
Inmates are denied any meaningful
opportunity to participate in vocational,
educational or work activities. As a re-
sult, most inmates must spend substan-
50a
tially all of their time crowded in dormi-
tories in absolute idleness. Such unbro-
ken inactivity increases boredom, tension
and frustration, which in turn promote
incidents of violence. The evidence re-
flects that idleness of this magnitude de-
stroys any job skills and work habits in-
mates may have, and contributes to their
mental and physical degeneration.
An examination of the very: few reha-
bilitative programs which do exist re-
veals that they are totally inadequate to
provide reasonable opportunities for re-
habilitation—or even to prevent physical
and mental deterioration—of most of the
inmate population. It was stipulated
that the average reading level of prison-
ers entering the penal system in the first
quarter of the year 1975 was below the
sixth grade level. Yet basic education
classes are available to only a small
number of inmates. For example, Hol-
man Prison, with more than 750 inmates,
offers Adult Basic Education for only 40
inmates at any one time. At Kilby, an
inmate conducts that institution’s only
basic education class.
While the Board of Corrections has
made some recent efforts to increase vo-
cational training and work opportunities,
5la
those programy are available to only a
limited number of selected inmates. Eli-
gibility requirements for most programs
are quite restrictive.®
In light of the stipulation that 59 per-
cent of Alabama’s state prisoners are un-
skilled—and that another 5.5 percent
claim no occupation—it is clear that ac-
cess to existing programs for these pris-
oners who need vocational training is
minimal. For those few inmates who
qualify, the range of occupations and
trades offered is extremely limited.
The Board offers an acceptable reha-
bilitation opportunity to a limited nwm-
ber of inmates through one pre-release
center and eight work-release centers.
In addition to providing job skills, the
programs allow prisoners to gradually
re-enter the community and to save
some money, up to 75 percent of their
salaries, prior to release. Again, there
are stringent eligibility requirements for
the few openings in these programs.
9. For example, for entry into many programs
an inmate must have no disciplinary violations
for six months prior to enrollment, must have
no holdovers, must have a regular duty assign-
ment, must not be considered a security risk,
and must be within 18 months of his or her
release date upon completion of the course.
52a
' The single exception to the dearth of
rehabilitation programs is the Frank Lee
Youth Center. However, that institution
houses approximately 200 selected in-
mates who meet strict objective and sub-
jective criteria.” Most inmates at Frank
Lee can expect to participate in a num-
ber of educational, vocational and recrea-
tional activities. To date the inmate
population at Frank Lee has been over
50 percent white in contrast to the pre-
dominantly black populations at other
state penal institutions.
Institutional work assignments offer
little to motivate inmates. There are too
few jobs and most take only a few hours
to perform. Frequently many more in-
mates are assigned to a particular job
[327] than are required to accomplish it. Pris-
oners work for no pay and at jobs which
do not teach usable skills. Inmates at
Fountain and Holman, most of whom in-
tend to return to metropolitan areas
upon release, are routinely assigned to
farm labor. Fountain operates a license
10. See note 5 supra. The Director of the
Frank Lee Youth Center, William Gilmore, tes-
tified that he relied on his own subjective eval-
uation, as well as the criteria outlined in note
5, in selecting inmates.
ee! PME OP Ae ME eh te ne Mow ee
53a
tag plant, and Draper has a mattress
factory. Neither of these programs is
available to any significant number of
inmates. Other inmates who have an
assigned task perform housekeeping
functions for the institution. As ob-
served, the lack of meaningful work op-
portunities contributes to idleness, bore-
dom, apathy and frustration.
The flow of money through Alabama
prisons is for all practical purposes un-
controlled. Each prisoner receives 25
cents per week from the state, as well as
postage and paper for one letter each
week. There are almost no legitimate
means for an inmate te earn morey.
Some prisoners receive substantial sums
from outside sources and through contra-
band activities. Money is required to
buy personal hygiene items, food to sup-
plement the prison diet, and postage.
Money can also buy drugs, alcohol,
changes in institutional records, special
privileges, sex, and housekeeping favors.
Interest collected on loans made by in-
mates with money is exorbitant, and
may be collected in a ruthless manner.
Gambling, smuggling, and extortion are
several of the abuses fueled by the fail-
ure of prison officials to control the pos-
54a
session of currency inside the institution.
Finally, many prisoners must make the
difficult transition from prison life on
the pittance the state provides them
upon release.!!
There is no organized recreation pro-
gram for Alabama’s prisons. While
some athletic facilities and equipment
are available, they are not properly
maintained. Almost no provision is
made for inmates to participate in hob-
bies. Consequently, inmates have little
to occupy the inordinate amount of free
time they must fill.
The chances of successful rehabilita-
tion or the chances of escaping mental
and physical degeneration are also di-
minished by the fact that prison environ-
ment is much different from that in the
society to which an inmate must return.
11. The state is required by statute to provide
an inmate, upon release, with “a decent suit of
clothes and with the least expensive mode of
public transportation back to the point of sen-
tencing . ...” Ajla.Code tit. 45 § 54
(Supp.1973). The state also provides ten dol-
lars in cash to all inmates serving five years or
less, and an additional two dollars per year for
each additional year served. Ala.Code tit. 45
§ 55 (1958).
55a
Current visitation policies discourage vis-
its—which are essential to the mainte-
nance of community ties—and therefore
decrease an inmate’s chances of success-
ful reintegration upon release. Some in-
stitutions allow visitors only on alternate
Sundays, while inmates in quarantine at
Kilby are permitted no visitors. Visiting
areas are overcrowded and uncomforta-
ble, allow no privacy, and prohibit physi-
cal contact in some instances. Public
transportation to institutions located in
remote areas of the state is infrequent
and too expensive for many people to
use regularly.
An oral order enju:ning the use of tso-
lation a..d segregation cells which do not
meet minimum standards was issued by
the Court at the conclusion of the trial
in these cases. The indescribable condi-
tions in the isolation cells required imme-
diate action to protect inmates from any
further torture by confinement in those
cells. As many as six inmates were
packed in four foot by eight foot cells
with no beds, no lights, no running
water, and a hole in the floor for a toilet
which could only be flushed from the
outside. The infamous Draper “dog-
house” is a separate building, locked
56a
from the outside, with no guard sta-
tioned inside. Inmates in punitive isola-
tion received only one meal per day, fre-
quently without utensils. They were
permitted no exercise or reading materi-
al and could shower only every 11 days.
Punitive isolation has been used to pun-
ish inmates for offenses ranging from
[328] swearing at guards and failing to report
to work on time, to murder.
[2,3] In light of the foregoing facts,
this Court has a clear duty to require the
defendants in these cases to remedy the
massive constitutional infirmities which
plague Alabama’s prisons. It is with
great reluctance that federal courts in-
tervene in the day-to-day operation of
state penal systems, Procunier v. Mar-
tinez, 416 U.S. 396, 404—05, 94 S.Ct. 1800,
40 L.Ed.2d 224 (1974); Cruz v. Beto, 405
U.S. 319, 321, 92 S.Ct. 1079, 31 L.Ed.2d
263 (1972); Novak v. Beto, 453 F.2d 661,
671 (5th Cir. 1971); Diamond v. Thomp-
son, 364 F.Supp. 659, 662 (M.D.Ala.1973),
a function they are increasingly required
to perform.” While this Court continues
12. Federal courts in a number of states includ-
ing Massachusetts, Inmates of Suffolk County
Jail v. Eisenstadt, 360 F.Supp. 676 (D.Mass.
[footnote continued]
57a
to recognize the broad discretion re-
quired for prison officials to maintain
orderly and secure institutions, Procunier
v. Martinez, 416 U.S. at 404—05, 94 S.Ct.
1800; Diamond v. Thompson, 364
F.Supp. 659 (M.D.Ala.1973); Newman v.
Alabama, 349 F.Supp. 278 (M.D.Ala.
1972), aff'd in part 503 F.2d 1320 (5th
Cir. 1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 948, 95
S.Ct. 1680, 44 L.Ed.2d 102 (1975), consti-
tutional deprivations of the magnitude
1973), aff'd 494 F.2d 1196 (lst Cir. 1974);
Maryland, Collins v. Schoonfield, 344 F.Supp.
257 (D.Md.1972); Arkansas, Holt v. Sarver,
309 F.Supp. 362 (E.D.Ark.1970), aff'd 442 F.2d
304 (8th Cir. 1971); and Mississippi, Gates v.
Collier, 349 F.Svop. 881 (N.D.Miss.1972), aff'd
501 F.2d 1291 (Sth Cir. 1974), recently have
had occasion to hold conditions in penal insti-
tutions in those states unconstitutional. In Al-
abama, this Court in previous cases has ad-
dressed the issues of inadequate medical care,
Newman v. Alabama, 349 F.Supp. 278 (M.D.
Ala.1972), aff'd in part 503 F.2d 1320 (5th Cir.
1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 948, 95 S.Ct. 1680,
44 L.Ed.2d 102 (1975); and disciplinary proce-
dures, Diamond v. Thompson, 364 F.Supp. 659
(M.D.Ala.1973), in the state’s prisons. Federal
courts in other districts of this state have
found unconstitutional conditions in both .
state, McCray v. Sullivan, 399 F.Supp. 271
(S.D.Ala.1975), and local, Thrasher v. Bailey,
CA 73P 816-S (N.D.Ala. Aug. 29, 1973), penal
facilities.
58a
presented here simply cannot be counte-
nanced, and this Court is under a duty
to, and will, intervene to protect incar-
cerated citizens from such wholesale in-
fringements of their constitutional
rights. See Procunier v. Martinez, 416
U.S. at 405—06, 94 S.Ct. 1800; Johnson v.
Avery, 393 U.S. 483, 486, 89 S.Ct. 747, 21
L.Ed.2d 718 (1969).
[4-7] Federal litigation by prisoners
alleging systemic constitutional deficien-
cies has mushroomed in recent years.
There has been growing recognition by
the courts that prisoners retain all rights
enjoyed by free citizens except those
necessarily lost as an incident of confine-
ment. See Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S.
817, 822, 94 S.Ct. 2800, 41 L.Ed.2d 495
(1973); Jackson v. Godwin, 400 F.2d 529,
532 (5th Cir. 1968); Washington v. Lee,
263 F.Supp. 327, 331 (M.D.Ala.1966),
aff'd per curiam, 390 U.S. 333, 88 S.Ct.
994, 19 L.Ed.2d 1212 (1968); cf. Price v.
Johnston, 334 U.S. 266, 285, 68 S.Ct.
1049, 92 L.Ed. 1356 (1948); Gates v. Col-
lier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974). The
Supreme Court recently identified three
legitimate functions of a correctional
system: deterrence, both specific and
*
ven ee ee eS
poate ST oe
hd
wer ne
59a
general; rehabilitation; and institutional
security. Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. at
822-23, 94 S.Ct. 2800. “It is in the light
of these legitimate penal objectives that
a court must assess challenges to prison
regulations based on asserted constitu-
tional rights of prisoners.” Id. at 823, 94
S.Ct. at 2804. Therefore, when a prison
policy advances one of these valid goals,
the Court is required to weigh the com-
peting interests of the prisoner and of
the state in pursuing that goal. When
an inmate is restricted in a manner
which supports no such valid purpose,
that restriction cannot stand.
[8-10] Prisoners are entitled to be
free of conditions which constitute cruel
and unusual punishment in violation of
the Eighth and Fourteenth Amend-
ments, The content of the Eighth
Amendment is not static but “must draw
its meaning from the evolving standards
of decency that mark the progress of a
maturing society.” Trop v. Dulles, 356
U.S. 86, 101, 78 S.Ct. 590, 598, 2 L.Ed.2d
[329] 680 (1958). There can be no question
that the present conditions of confine-
ment in the Alabama penal system vio-
late any current judicial definition of
cruel and unusual punishment, a situa-
60a
tion evidenced by the defendants’ admis-
sion that serious Eighth Amendment vio-
lations exist.“ In these circumstances, it
is the very confinement itself which im-
permissibly contravenes the Eighth and
Fourteenth Amendment rights of the
plaintiff classes.
[C]jonfinement itself within a given in-
stitution may amount to a cruel and
unusual punishment prohibited by the
Constitution where the confinement is
characterized by conditions and prac-
tices so bad as to be shocking to the
conscience of reasonably civilized peo-
ple even though a particular inmate
may never personally be subject to
any disciplinary action.
Holt v. Sarver, 309 F.Supp. 362, 372—73
(E.D.Ark.1970), aff'd 442 F.2d 304 (8th
Cir. 1971).
The conditions in which Alabama pris-
oners must live, as established by the
evidence in these cases, bear no reasona-
ble relationship to legitimate institution-
13. Defendants through their lead counsel, the
Honorable Robert S. Lamar, Jr., admitted in
open court, at the close of trial, that plaintiffs
had proved serious Eighth Amendment viola-
tions.
—_— led tel
6la
al goals. As a whole they create an
atmosphere in which inmates are com-
pelled to live in constant fear of vio-
lence, in imminent danger to their physi-
cal well-being, and without opportunity
to seek a more promising future.
{11} The living conditions in Alabama
prisons constitute cruei and unusual pun-
ishment. Specifically, lack of sanitation
throughout the institutions—in living
areas, infirmfries, and food service—
presents an imminent danger to the
health of each and every inmate. Pris-
oners suffer from further physical dete-
rioration because there are no opportuni-
ties for exercise and recreation. Treat-
ment for prisoners with physical or emo-
tional problems is totally inadequate.
This Court has previously ordered that
the penal system provide reasonable
- medical care for inmates in these institu-
tions on a finding that
[flailure of the Board of Corrections to
provide sufficient medical facilities
and staff to afford inmates basic ele-
ments of adequate medical care consti-
tutes a willful and intentional viola-
tion of the rights of prisoners guaran-
teed under the Eighth and Fourteenth
Amendments.
62a
Newman v. Alabama, 349 F.Supp. at
285-86. The evidence in these cases
leads to the inescapable conclusion that
the gross inadequacies in medical care
_ found in that case have not been reme-
died.
[12] Prison officials are under a duty
to provide inmates reasonable protection
from constant threat of violence.
While occasional, isolated attacks by
one prisoner on another may not con-
stitute cruel and unusual punishment,
Penn v. Oliver, 351 F.Supp. 1292 (E.D.
Va.1972), confinement in a prison
where violence and terror reign is ac-
tionable. A prisoner has a right, se-
cured by the eighth and fourteenth
amendments, to be reasonably protect-
ed from constant threat of violence
and sexual assault by his fellow in-
mates, and he need not wait until he is
actually assaulted to obtain relief.
Woodhous v. Commonwealth of Virginia,
487 F.2d 889, 890 (4th Cir. 1973); see
Finney v. Arkansas Board of Cor-
rections, 505 F.2d 194, 201 (8th Cir.
1974); Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291,
1308—09 (5th Cir. 1974); Holt v. Sarver,
309 F.Supp. 362, 376-78, 381 (E.D.Ark.
1970), aff’d 442 F.2d 304 (8th Cir. 1971).
63a
[13] The defendants in these cases
have failed to carry out that duty. The
evidence establishes that inmates are
housed in virtually unguarded, over-
crowded dormitories, with no realistic at-
tempt by officials to separate violent,
aggressive inmates from those who are
passive or weak. The tension generated
[330] by idleness and deplorable living condi-
tions contributes further to the ever-
present threat of violence from which
inmates have no refuge.
[14] The evidence in these cases also
establishes that prison conditions are so
debilitating that they necessarily deprive
inmates of any opportunity to rehabili-
tate themselves, or even to maintain
skills already possessed. While courts
have thus far declined to elevate a posi-
tive rehabilitation program to the level
of a constitutional right, it is clear that a
penal system cannot be operated in such
a manner that it impedes an inmate’s
ability to attempt rehabilitation, or sim-
ply to avoid physical, mental or social
deterioration.
The absence of an affirmative pro-
gram of training and rehabilitation
may have constitutional significance
where in the absence of such a pro-
64a
gram conditions and practices exist
which actually militate against reform
and rehabilitation.
Holt v. Sarver, 309 F.Supp. at 379.
[15] Not only is it cruel and unusual
punishment to confine a person in an
institution under circumstances which in-
crease the likelihood of future confine-
ment, but these same conditions defeat
- the goal of rehabilitation which prison
officials have set for their institutions.
See James v. Wallace, 382 F.Supp. 1177,
1180 n.4 (M.D.Ala.1974).
[16-18] Prisoners are protected by
the Due Process and Equal Protection
clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment,
Washington v. Lee, supra; therefore,
they must be free from arbitrary and
capricious treatment by prison officials.
Sostre v. McGinnis, 442 F.2d 178, 198—99
(2d Cir. 1971) (en banc), cert. denied sub
nom. Sostre v. Oswald, 404 U.S. 1049, 92
S.Ct. 719, 30 L.Ed.2d 740 and sub nom.
Oswald v. Sostre, 405 U.S. 978, 92 S.Ct.
1190, 31 L.Ed.2d 254 (1971); Jackson v.
Godwin, 400 F.2d 529, 532 (5th Cir. 1968).
There is evidence in these cases that the
Alabama penal system makes available a
very limited number of vocational, edu-
cational, and work opportunities. Open-
65a
ings in whatever programs are offered
must be assigned on a reasonable and
rational basis. See Thompson v. Gal-
lagher, 489 F.2d 443 (5th Cir. 1973).
Currently, inmates are able to buy and
sell desirable jobs. Moreover, while the
prison system is entitled to make ration-
al distinctions in making assignments, it
is impossible to do so without a function-
-ing classification system.
[19,20] The inmates’ ability to en-
gage in rehabilitation is further frustrat-
ed by unreasonable restrictions on visita-
tion from family and friends. Any re-
strictions imposed by the prisons’ visita-
tion policies must be reasonably related
to a legitimate governmental interest.
See Thompson v. Gallagher, supra. The
visitation policies currently employed by
Alabama penal institutions do not serve
the valid penal objectives defined by the
Supreme Court in Pell v. Procunier, 417
U.S. at 822-23, 94 S.Ct. 2800.
[21] The response of the defendants
to the matters set forth in this opinion
consistently has been that they cannot
alleviate the conditions because of inade-
quate funding by the state legislature.
However, a state is not at liberty to
66a
afford its citizens only those constitu-
tional rights which fit comfortably with-
in its budget. The Alabama Legislature
has had ample opportunity to make pro-
vision for the state to meet its constitu-
tional responsibilities in this area, and it
has failed to do so. It is established
beyond doubt that inadequate funding is
no answer to the existence of unconstitu-
tional conditions in state penal institu-
tions.
Let there be no mistake in the matter;
the obligation of the Respondents to
eliminate existing unconstitutionalities
does not depend upon what the Legis-
lature may do, or upon what the Gov-
ernor may do, or, indeed, upon what
Respondents may actually be able to
accomplish. If Arkansas is going to
operate a Penitentiary System, it is
going to have to be a system that is
countenanced by the Constitution of
the United States.
[331] Holt v. Sarver, 309 F.Supp. at 385. See
Finney v. Arkansas Board of Cor-
rections, 505 F.2d 194, 201 (8th Cir.
1974); Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291,
1319-20 (5th Cir. 1974).
[22-25] In Wood v. Strickland, 420
U.S. 308, 95 S.Ct. 992, 48 L.Ed.2d 214
67a
(1975), the Supreme Court held that, un-
der Section 1983, plaintiffs can recover
money damages from state officials if
the officials acted either in bad faith or
in “disregard of settled, indisputable
law.” Id. at 321, 95 S.Ct. 992. To put it
another way: a public official may be
held liable where he, in subjective good
faith, acts in disregard of a person’s
“clearly established constitutional
rights.” Id. at 322, 95 S.Ct. 992. The
Court now acts in these cases with a
recognition that prisoners are not to be
coddied, and prisons are not to be oper-
ated as hotels or country clubs. How-
ever, this does not mean that responsible
state officials, including the Alabama
Legislature, can be allowed to operate
prison facilities that are barbaric and in-
humane. Let the defendant state offi-
cials now be placed on notice that failure
to comply with the minimum standards
set forth in the order of this Court filed
with this opinion will necessitate the
closing of those several prison facilities
herein found to be unfit for human con-
finement.
68a
The costs of these proceedings will be
taxed against the defendants.
An order will be entered accordingly.
ORDER
Pursuant to the findings of fact and
conclusions of law set forth in the mem-
orandum opinion made and entered in
this cause this date, it is the order, judg-
ment and decree of this Court that:
1. Defendants, George C. Wallace, in-
dividually and in his official capacity as
Governor of Alabama; The State of Ala-
bama; The Alabama Board of Correc-
tions; Judson C. Locke, Jr., individually
and in his official capacity as Commis-
sioner of the Alabama Board of Correc-
tions; L. B. Sullivan, individually and in
his capacity as Deputy Commissioner of
the Alabama Board of Corrections; Bill
Long, individually and in his official ca-
pacity as Warden of Kilby Corrections
Facility; J. O. Davis, individually and as
Warden of G. K. Fountain Correctional
Center; M. B. Harding, individually; H.
Crouch, individually; Yetta G. Samford,
Jr., individually; Dr. Max V. McLaugh-
lin, individually; and Reverend John E.
Vickers, Dr. Thomas F. Staton, Dr. Mari- ~
on L. Carroll, Jr.. and Mr. Thomas E.
69a
Bradford, Sr., individually and as mem-
bers of the Board of Corrections of the
State of Alabama, their agents, employ-
ees, successors in office and any others
acting in concert with them, be and each
is hereby enjoined from failing to imple-
ment fully and within the times pre-
scribed each of the requirements set
forth in Appendix A to this decree.
2. A Human Rights Committee for
the Alabama Prison System be and is
hereby designated and appointed. The
members of that Committee are listed in
Appendix B attached hereto and incorpo-
rated herein. The members of the Com-
mittee shall be paid on a per diem basis
and shall be reimbursed for travel and
other expenses necessarily incurred at
the same rate and in the same manner
as members of the Alabama Board of
‘Corrections. The function of the Human
Rights Committee, acting as a Commit-
tee as a whole or through standing sub-
committees appointed by the Committee
chairman, shall be to monitor implemen-
tation of the standards set forth in Ap-
pendix A to this decree. In view of this
Court’s finding that the standards estab-
lished in Newman v. Alabama, 349
F.Supp. 278, aff’d in part 503 F.2d 1320
70a
(5th Cir. 1974), cert. denied 421 U.S. 928,
95 S.Ct. 1680, 44 L.Ed.2d 102 (1975), have
not been implemented, the Human
Rights Committee shall also have the au-
thority and duty to monitor implementa-
tion of the requirements of that order.
The Committee may at reasonable times
inspect the state prison facilities, inter-
view inmates, and inspect institutional
records. The Committee shall review
plans for implementation of this decree
to ensure that they comport with the
minimum standards set forth. At its
[332] discretion, the Committee may engage
and consult appropriate, independent
specialists who shall be compensated by -
the Board of Corrections. The Commit-
tee shall be authorized to take any ac-
tion reasonably necessary to accomplish
its function. The Committee is also
hereby authorized and empowered to
employ upon a full time basis a staff
consultant, trained and experienced in
the operation of state prison systems, an-
swerable only to the Human Rights
Committee; said full time consultant
shall be paid upon a basis and at a rate
commensurate with the remuneration
being received by the Commissioner of _
the Alabama Board of Corrections. The
Committee is further authorized and em-
7la
powered to employ [to be paid by the
defendant Board] one full time clerk-ste-
nographer, responsible only to the Com-
mittee. Adequate physical facilities and
equipment and supplies will be made
available to the consultant and to the
clerk by the Alabama Board of Correc-
tions.
3. The defendants, within six months
from this date, shall submit to this Court
a comprehensive report setting forth
their progress in the implementation of
each and every standard. The report
shall set forth reasons for the incomplete
implementation of any standard. The
report shall also include a time-table for
full compliance.
4. The court costs incurred in these
proceedings be and are hereby taxed
against the defendants. The defendants
are ordered to pay to the Clerk of this
Court within 30 days the court costs, as
set forth on the costs bills of plaintiffs’
attorneys.
5. Jurisdiction of these cases be and
is hereby specifically retained.
72a
APPENDIX A
MINIMUM CONSTITUTIONAL STAN-
DARDS FOR INMATES OF ALA-
BAMA PENAL SYSTEM
I. Overcrowding
1. The number of inmates in each in-
stitution in the Alabama penal system
shall not exceed the design capacity for
that institution. No new prisoners, ex-
cept escapees and parole violators who
have had their paroles revoked, may be
accepted until the inmate population is
no greater than the design capacity for
each facility.
II. Segregation and Isolation
1. No more than one prisoner shall be
confined in a single cell, and each such
cell shall be a minimum of 40 square
feet. Within six months, the area of
each single occupancy isolation cell shall
be no less than 60 square feet.
2. Each cell shall be equipped with a
toilet which can be flushed from the in-
side, a sink with hot and cold running
water, ventilation and lighting which
73a
meet minimum standards of the United
States Public Health Service, clean linen,
and a bed off the floor.
3. Each inmate confined in isolation
shall be
(a) permitted to bathe at least every
other day;
(b) provided three wholesome and nu-
tritious meals per day, served with
eating and drinking utensils;
(c) supplied the same toilet articles
and linens as are required to be
provided to the general inmate
population;
(d) provided reading and writing ma-
terials, and allowed any personal
legal papers or research materials;
(e) allowed at least 30 minutes out-
door exercise per day; and
(f) afforded adequate medical and
mental health care, including ex-
amination by a physician and a
qualified mental health care pro-
fessional at least every third day.
No inmate shall be deprived of
physical aids or prosthetic devices.
4. Confinement in isolation shall be
imposed as punishment only after com-
pliance with the requirements of due
74a
process as set forth in Wolff v. McDon-
nell, 418 U.S. 539, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41
L.Ed.2d 935 (1974). Any period of con-
[333] finement for the purpose of punishment
shall not exceed 21 days.
5. Any prisoner who is voluntarily
segregated must be released imivediately
upon request.
6. The confinement of any prisoner in
administrative segregation must be re-
viewed at least every seven days, and
the prisoner must be released from seg-
regation unless such review determines
that there is good cause for continued
segregation.
Ill. Classification
1. By April 15, 1976, the defendants
shall file with the Court a plan for the
classification of all inmates incarcerated
in the Alabama penal system. The
Board of Corrections shall contract with
the University of Alabama Department
of Correctional Psychology to aid in the
implementation of that plan. The classi-
fication shall be fully completed no later
than August 16, 1976.
2. The plan to be submitted to the
Court shall include:
75a
(a) due consideration to the age; of-
fense; prior criminal record; voca-
tional, educational and work
needs; and physical and mental
health care requirements of each
inmate;
(b) methods of identifying aged, in-
firm, and _ psychologically dis-
turbed or mentally retarded in-
mates who require transfer to a
more appropriate facility, or who
require special treatment within
the institution; and
(c) methods of identifying those in-
mates for whom transfer to a pre-
release, work-release, or other
community-based facility would be
appropriate.
3. The classification of each inmate
shall be reviewed at least annually.
IV. Mental Health Care
1. The defendants shall identify those
inmates who, by reason of psychological
disturbance or mental retardation, re-
quire care in facilities designed for such
persons, and arrangements shall be made
for the transfer of such inmates.
2. The defendants shall identify those
inmates who require mental health care
76a
within the institution and make arrange-
ments for the provision of such care.
38. The defendants shall hire at least
those mental health professionals and
support personnel as set forth in Mini-
mum Mental Health Standards for the
Alabama Correctional System. (Center
for Correctional Psychology, University
of Alabama, December 1972).
V. Protection from Violence
1. The defendants shall make reason-
able efforts, including classification and
monitoring, to segregate inmates known
to engage in violence and aggression.
2. Only minimum custody inmates
may be assigned to dormitories.
3. The defendants shall establish reg-
ular procedures, including frequent
shakedowns and frisks of inmates re-
turning to the institutions, to reduce the
number of weapons held by inmates.
4. Defendants shall enforce prison
regulations designed to reduce violence,
including rules against fighting, posses-
sion of weapons, gambling, or possession
of currency within the institutions. In-
mates, except those in pre-release and
work-release type programs, shall not
possess currency. Defendants shall insti-
[334]
77a
tute a scrip system for approved intra-
institutional purchases by inmates.
5. With the exception of isolation
units, guards shall be stationed inside
living areas, including dormitories, at all
times. There shall be at least one guard
inside, and one guard outside, all living
areas at all times. As to isolation units,
guards must be stationed at all times so
as to have visual and voice contact with
the isolated prisoners.
6. At no time shall prisoners be used
to guard other prisoners, nor shall pris-
oners be placed in positions of authority
over other inmates.
7. The defendants shall keep accurate
records of incidents of violence which
come to their attention, and all assaults
and other offenses punishable under the
laws of Alabama shall be reported forth-
with to the local district attorney. Ac-
curate records shall be kept reflecting
the disposition of such incidents by pris-
on authorities and any resultant criminal
prosecutions undertaken.
VI. Living Conditions
1. Prisoners shall be supplied, with-
out charge, toothbrushes, toothpaste,
78a
shaving cream, razors and razor blades,
soap, shampoo, and combs. Each prison-
er also shall be provided adequate clean
clothing and a storage locker with a lock.
2. Each prisoner shall be supplied
weekly with clean bed linen and towels.
3. Each inmate shall have access to
household cleaning supplies in order to
maintain living areas, and sanitary con-
ditions within the institutions shall meet
minimum public health standards. The
defendants shall be responsible for im-
plementing a regular and effective pro-
gram of insect and rodent control.
4. All institutions shall be adequately
heated, lighted and ventilated. Windows
and doors shall be properly screened and
otherwise properly maintained. FElectri-
cal wiring must be safe.
5. Each prisoner shall have a bed off
the floor, a clean mattress, and blankets
as needed.
6. Each institution shall maintain in
working order one toilet per 15 inmates,
one urinal or one foot of urinal trough
per 15 inmates, one shower per 20 in-
mates, and one lavatory per 10 inmates.
79a
7. Each inmate shall have a minimum
of 60 square feet of living space.
VII. Food Service
1. Every prisoner is entitled to three
wholesome and nutritious meals per day,
served with proper eating and drinking
utensils.
2. The food served to inmates shall
be nutritionally adequate and properly
prepared under the direction of a food
service supervisor for each institution;
each supervisor shall have at least bache-
lor’s level training in dietetics or its
equivalent. The defendants shall employ
a nutrition consultant for the Board of
Corrections, who shall be a registered
dietitian, to assist in menu planning,
methods of food preparation, purchasing
standards, and sanitation.
3. Food shall be stored, prepared and
served under sanitary conditions which
meet minimum public health standards.
Equipment shall be maintained in good
working condition. All kitchen employ-
ees shall be trained in the handling of
food and those who assist in the prepara-
tion of food shall receive training in food
preparation. Regulations relating to
food service will. be rigorously enforced.
80a
4. Each inmate who requires a special
diet for reasons of health or religion
shall be provided a diet to meet his or
her individual need.
VIII. Correspondence and Visitation
1. Defendants shall not limit the
number or length of letters a prisoner
may send or receive. Mail to or from
courts, attorneys or other public officials
shall be inspected only for contraband,
and only in the presence of the prisoner
to whom it is addressed or by whom it is
mailed. Inspection or censorship of oth-
er mail must be in accordance with the
standards set forth in Procunier v. Mar-
tinez, 416 U.S. 396, 94 S.Ct. 1800, 40
L.Ed.2d 224 (1973). The defendants
shall supply postage and paper for up to
five letters per week for each inmate.
2. Each institution shall provide a
comfortable, sheltered area for visita-
tion. The visiting area must not, except
for security purposes that have been doc-
umented, physically separate visitors
from inmates. Visitation policies must
permit an inmate to receive visitors on
at least a weekly basis, and rules govern-
ing visitation must allow reasonable time
and space for each visit. Visitors shall
8la
not be subjected to any unreasonable
searches. Inmates undergoing initial
classification shall not be denied visita-
tion privileges.
[335] IX. Educational, Vocational, Work and
Recreational Opportunities
1. Each inmate shall be assigned a
meaningful job on the basis of the in-
mate’s abilities and interests, and accord-
ing to institutional needs. Inmates shall
not be required or allowed to perform
household or personal tasks for any per-
son
2. Each inmate shall have the oppor-
tunity to participate in basic educational
programs.
3. Each inmate shall have the oppor-
tunity to participate in a _ vocational
training program designed to teach a
marketable skill.
4. The defendants may establish rea-
sorable entrance requirements and ra-
tional objective criteria for selecting in-
mates to participate in particular pro-
grams. However, no inmate shall be de-
nied educational, vocational and work
opportunities except while in isolation
for disciplinary reasons or when the par-
82a
ticipation of an inmate in a particular
program presents a clear threat to insti-
tutional security.
5. Every inmate, prior to release,
shall be afforded the opportunity to par-
ticipate in some transitional program de-
signed to aid in his or her re-entry into
society.
6. Each institution shall employ a
qualified full-time recreation director
with at least bachelor’s level training, or
its equivalent, in recreation or physical
education. Adequate equipment and fa-
cilities shall be provided to offer recrea-
tional opportunities to every inmate.
Space shall be available for inmates to
engage in hobbies. Suitable vocational
programs shall be provided.
X. Physical Facilities
1. Defendants shall ensure that the
physical plant of each facility in the Ala-
bama penal system meets all of the mini-
mum standards of the United States
Public Health Service.
(a) Physical facilities in Draper Cor-
rectional Center shall meet mini-
mum standards by December 15,
1976. A report setting forth
83a
progress in the implementation of
this requirement shall be filed 60
days before that date.
(b) Physical facilities in G. K. Foun-
tain Correctional Center _ shall
meet minimum standards by De-
cember 15, 1976. A report setting
forth progress in the implementa-
tion of this requirement shall be
filed 60 days before that date.
(c) Physical facilities in Holman Unit
Prison shall meet minimum stan-
dards by December 15, 1977. A
report setting forth progress in
the implementation of this re-
quirement shall be filed six
months before that date.
(d) Physical facilities in Kilby Correc-
tions Facility shall meet minimum
standards by December 15, 1977.
A report setting forth progress in
the implementation of this re-
quirement shall be filed six
months before that date.
2. The defendants shall _ establish
work-release, pre-release, and other com-
munity-based facilities to house inmates
identified as appropriate for participa-
tion in such programs.
84a
XI. Staff
1. Qualified staff sufficient to main-
tain institutional order and to administer
programs shall be employed by the de-
fendants, including a total custodial staff
at each institution of no less than
Draper 184
Kilby 171
Fountain 178
Holman 159
2. Defendants shall provide appropri-
ate and effective training programs for
all staff members employed within the
Alabama penal system.
3. Defendants shall immediately in-
stitute an affirmative hiring program
designed to reduce and having the effect
of reducing the racial and cultural dis-
parity between the staff and the inmate
population.
[336]
MEMBERSHIP OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
85a
APPENDIX B
FOR THE ALABAMA PRISON SYSTEM
1. Mr. M. R. Nachman, Jr.—Chairman-
—P.0. Box 668
Montgomery, Alabama 36101
Mr. Oscar W. Adams, Jr.
2121 Build ag
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Dr. Mary Catherine Beasley
14 Park Wood
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Dr. Wiley R. Boyles
3243 Fernway Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
Dr. Fred Campbell
1722 Pine Street |
Montgomery, Alabama 36106
Dr. John Murphy Chenault
1115 Somerville Road
Decatur, Alabama 35610
86a
7. Dr. Nace R. Cohen
8.
750 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Mr. Lee P. Dodd
Double Springs, Alabama 35553
9. Mr. William Fasin
10.
11.
13.
14.
1563 Oakland Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36108
Gen. E. M. Friend, Jr.
2030 1st Avenue, North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Mrs. Emily B. Gassenheimer
312 Scott Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Dr. Lewis Jones
310 Bulls Street
Tuskegee, Alabama 36083
Dr. Moses W. Jones
244 Monroe Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Dr. J. J. Kirschenfeld
2119 E. South Boulevard
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
21.
87a
Mr. Atley A. Kitchings, Jr.
600 19th Street, North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Mr. John L. LeFlore
1504 Chataque Avenue
Mobile, Alabama 36603
Mr. James L. Lovvorn
443 Wright’s Mill Road
Auburn, Alabama 36830
Mr. John C. McCluney
3617 Southview Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
Mr. H. D. MclInish
P.O. Box 1665
Dothan, Alabama 36301
Mrs. Laurie W. Mandell
Route 4, Box 168
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
Col. Floyd T. Mann
P.O. Box 295
Lanett, Alabama 36863
Dr. Julius Michaelson
P.O. Box 910
Foley, Alabama 36535
[337] 23.
26.
30.
88a
Dr. Alberta Murphy
13 Hillcrest Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Mr. James Murry
101-A Chambless Building
Tuskegee Institute, Alabama 36088
Mrs. Fannie Allen Neal
2662 Rutland Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36108
Mrs. Otis Owens
33 Parkside
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Dr. Julius Pryor, Jr.
1156 Oak Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Dr. Janet Robbins
Route 2, Box 204-A
Ramer, Alabama 36069
Dr. Paul I. Robinson
3303 Royal Carriage Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
Mr. Solomon S. Seay, Jr.
352 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
31.
32.
36.
37.
89a
Mrs. Edward M. Selfe
3542 Lennox Road, South
Birmingham, Alabama 35213
Mrs. Mary Jo Smiley
4601 Lawnwood Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36108
Mrs. Betty Stokes
801 Montgomery Road
Tuskegee Institute, Alabama 36088
Mr. Thomas W. Thagard, Jr.
600 Bell Building
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Ms. Sue Thompson
2618 Eighth Street
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Mr. Barney Weeks
231 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Rev. Dan C. Whitsett
2122 Mona Lisa Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
90a
38. Mrs. Roscoe A. Williams
621 Alabama Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
39. Rev. Robert W. Wingard
3151 Woodfern Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36111
i aeenss —— a
9la
APPENDIX F
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA,
NORTHERN DIVISION
[Filed MAR 5, 1976]
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3501-N
N.H. NEWMAN, AND OTHERS,
Plaintiffs,
v.
STATE OF ALABAMA; et al.,
Defendants,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Amicus Curiae.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-57-N
JERRY LEE PUGH, for himself and all others similarly
situated,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JUDSON C. LOCKE, JR., individually and in his
official capacity as Commissioner of the Alabama Board
of Corrections; et al.,
Defendants,
92a
WILCOX COUNTY COMMISSION, as the governing
body of the County of Wilcox, State of Alabama, and
all other counties similarly situated; et al., .
Intervening Ancillary
Plaintiffs,
v.
MELBA TILL ALLEN, individually and as State
Treasurer, State of Alabama; et al.,
Ancillary Defendants,
IRA DE MENT, United States Attorney,
Amicus Curiae.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-203-N
WORLEY JAMES; et al.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
GEORGE C. WALLACE, individually and in his official
capacity as Governor of Alabama; et al.,
Defendants,
WILCOX COUNTY COMMISSION, as the governing
body of the County of Wilcox, State of Alabama, and
all other counties similarly situated; et al., .
Intervening Ancillary
Plaintiffs,
93a
MELBA TILL ALLEN, individually and as State
Treasurer, State of Alabama; et al.,
Ancillary Defendants,
THE NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT OF THE AMERI-
CAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION, INC.;
and IRA DE MENT, United States Attorney,
Amici Curiae.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This cause is now submitted upon the motion for
rehearing and modification filed by defendants on
February 23, 1976. This motion was substituted by the
defendants for their motion for a new trial filed
January 23, 1976. This Court has previously entered an
order concerning Paragraph B of defendants’ motion,
which requests a rehearing in these cases. The order
previously entered required defendants to specify with
particularity the errors of law to which this part of
their motion refers. On March 1, 1976, defendants filed
their specification of errors of law.
Paragraph A of defendants’ motion submits ten
specific requests for modification of this Court’s order
of January 13, 1976, that will be discussed seriatim.
The first ground in support of defendants’ motion
seeks modification of Paragraph III §1 of the order of
this Court which presently requires the defendants to
“contract with the University of Alabama Department
of Correctional Psychology to aid in the implementa-
tion of [the classification plan to be filed with the
Court by April 15, 1976].” That portion of the order
is based in part on the testimony of Dr. Carl B.
Clements, staff member and former acting director of
the Department of Correctional Psychology, that the
94a
Department has the ability and resources to aid the
defendants with the plan. However, the defendants
should be afforded the opportunity to select the
assistance of any comparably qualified and_ willing
agency or experts. If defendants do find a comparably
qualified and willing agency or experts, defendants
should submit to the Court the mame of the agency and
data evidencing its ability. That part of Paragraph III
§1 of the order will be modified accordingly.
The second modification requested by the defendants
concerns Paragraph IV §3 of the order which requires
the hiring of “at least those mental health professionals
and support personnel as set forth in Minimum Mental
Health Standards for the Alabama Correctional System
(Center for Correctional Psychology, University of
Alabama, December, 1972).” It should be noted that
the study admitted in evidence in these cases, was
carried out under contract from the defendant Board of
Corrections. However, the evidence in these cases
established that the defendants have failed to imple-
ment even those mental health standards set forth four
years ago in the case of Newman v. Alabama, 349 F.
Supp. 278 (M.D. Ala. 1972), which was affirmed by the
Court of Appeals, 503 F.2d 1320 (5th Cir. 1974). The
defendant Board of Corrections proposed minimum
mental health personnel standards pursuant to an order
in that case. See Report of Defendants, January 4,
1973, Exhibit 9. Consequently, the order herein will be
modified to require the defendants to meet the
standards for hiring mental health personnel contained
in their own report to the Court filed in Newman v.
‘Alabama on January 4, 1973.
Third, defendants seek modification of Paragraph II
of the order, setting forth minimum standards for
95a
isolation and segregation. That paragraph will be
modified to reflect the distinct functions served by
isolation for punishment and by administrative segrega-
tion. Inmates who are duly confined in isolation
according to the standards set forth in Wolff v.
McDonnell, 418 U.S. 579 (1974), may face deprivations
which may not be imposed on inmates who are
administratively segregated. Courts have recognized,
however, that inmates in punitive isolation may “not be
deprived of basic necessities including light, heat,
ventilation, sanitation, clothing and a proper diet.”
Finney v. Arkansas Board of Corrections, 505 F.2d
194, 208 (8th Cir. 1974); see Berch v. Stahl, 373 F.
Supp. 412 (W.D.N.C. 1974). Consequently, Paragraph II
of the order will be modified to allow prison officials
the option of imposing additional sanctions against
inmates who are in punitive isolation. An inmate in
punitive isolation may be provided fewer than three
meals per day provided that the inmate’s total diet
while he is so confined, is not nutritionally inadequate.
Required plumbing facilities may be omitted from a
few punitive isolation cells for the confinement of
inmates in punitive isolation who consistently misuse
such facilities. However, those cells must contain at
least a toilet which can be flushed from the outside
and such cells must be closely supervised by cor-
rectional personnel. Reading matter other than legal
materials may be withheld for the period of punitive
isolation. Finally, this Court declines to decrease the
minimum cell space required by Paragraph II §1 as
requested by defendants in paragraph A(8) of their
motion. However, defendants may upon an appropriate
request be granted an extension of time in which to
bring existing isolation cells up to the minimum 60
square foot requirement.
96a
Fourth, defendants petition for modification of the
requirement in Paragraph II] §5 that “[a]ny prisoner
who is voluntarily segregated must be released im-
mediately upon request.” This requirement applies only
to those inmates who are segregated by their own
request, and not to inmates who are segregated by
responsible officials for punitive or administrative
reasons. The requirement in no way interferes with the
discretion of prison officials in imposing segregation.
Consequently, this request for modification will be
denied.
The fifth ground advanced by defendants in support
of their motion is a request for modification of the
standard contained in Paragraph VII §4 under which
“fe]ach inmate who requires a special diet for reasons
of... religion shall be provided a diet to meet his or
her individual needs.”” The Court does not intend for
that standard to be manipulated as a means of
obtaining special treatment or privileges. Further, the
Court recognizes that the obligation to provide a special
diet on religious grounds is due only to conscientious
adherents to a bona fide religion. That portion of the
order should be construed to allow the Board of
Corrections to establish a procedure for reviewing
requests for special diets on religious grounds. No
modification to allow the establishment of such
procedures is appropriate.
The sixth modification sought by defendants con-
cerns Paragraph IX §1 which provides that “[i] nmates
shall not be required or allowed to perform household
or personal tasks for any person.” There was repeated
testimony presented upon the trial of these cases that
prison officials, and even other inmates, used prisoners
to perform personal and household tasks. These
97a
personal services are performed without pay, and for no
apparent vocational, educational or therapeutic purpose.
Clearly, inmates may be required to perform household
tasks within the institution; and the vocational,
educational, and work programs established by the
defendants may include household labor under appro-
priate circumstances. Appropriate circumstances for the
requiring of inmates to perform household labor,
maintenance work and other personal services will
include the performance of such tasks at state owned
and . operated facilities and for state governmental
officials who may be physically disabled and need
personal services in order to perform their official
functions. That part of the Court ord i
modified accordingly. pedis
Seventh, defendants object to Paragraph VIII §1
which requires that the defendants supply “postage and
paper for up to five letters per week for each inmate.”
Under the conditions reflected by the evidence in these
cases, it is incumbent on the defendants to provide
inmates with some means to exercise their right to
access to the courts, and to provide them with
reasonable methods of communication with society
outside the institution.
It is clear that prisoners have a right an
the F irst and Sixth Amendments °° pgp goog
public officials, and lawyers in order to present
grievances and seek legal redress. Johnson v. Avery, 393
U.S. 483 (1969); Barlow v. Amiss, 477 F.2d 897 (5th
Cir. 1973); Frye v. Henderson, 474 F.2d 1263 (5th Cir.
1973). “All other rights are illusory without it being
entirely dependent for their existence on the whim or
caprice of the prison warden.” Adams v. Carlson, 488
F.2d 619 (7th Cir. 1973) quoting Sti
g Stiltner v. Rhay,
F.2d 314 (9th Cir. 1963). —
98a
The Alabama prison system does not provide inmates
with money or with any means of earning money with
which to buy postage. Consequently, the defendants
must provide some appropriate method for inmates to
exercise their rights of access.
Moreover, the Court found that the inadequate
visitation policies of the Board of Corrections unrea-
sonably interferes with the prisoners’ efforts to engage
in rehabilitation, and in fact those policies decrease
both social skills and the chances of successful
reintegration into society. Given the inaccessibility of
most of Alabama’s penal institutions, infrequent visiting
hours, and inadequate visiting facilities, there are few
ways for inmates, many of whom are indigent, to
communicate with friends and relatives outside the
institution. Therefore, the defendants will be required
to make available postage in reasonable amounts as one
method of alleviating the unconstitutional conditions
created in part by current visitation policies. Under
these conditions, the requirement in the Court order as
written will be modified so as to require defendants to
supply postage and paper for each inmate, who so
wishes, to write not less than two letters per week.
Eighth, defendants’ request that shampoo be omitted
from the list of personal hygiene items to be supplied
to inmates will be granted.
Finally, defendants seek modification of Paragraph
VIII §2 which presently requires that “[v]isitation
policies must permit an inmate to receive visitors on at
least a weekly basis.’’ Repeated testimony by experts in
these cases established that inmates suffer great
disorientation and stress during their initial entry into
the prison system, and that their adjustment to prison
life may be greatly affected at that time. Consequently,
99a
the Court will not modify that part of the order that
prohibits defendants from denying visitation privileges
to inmates at that critical period.
As to that part of defendants’ motion for rehearing
filed in these cases February 23, 1976, wherein
defendants “move the Court to grant a rehearing on the
gound that errors of law occurred before and during the
trial hereof prejudicial to the defendants” and upon
consideration of the specification of these “errors of
law” as filed by defendants March 1, 1976, it appears
that the motion for rehearing is absolutely without any
merit and is due to be denied.
An order will be entered accordingly.
** *
ORDER
Pursuant to the memorandum opinion of this Court
made and entered herein this date, it is the ORDER,
JUDGMENT and DECREE of this Court that:
1. Paragraph III §1 of Appendix A to this Court’s
order of January 13, 1976, be and is hereby modified
to read
By April 15, 1976, the defendants shall file with
the Court a plan for the classification of all
inmates incarcerated in the Alabama penal system.
The Board of Corrections shall contract with the
University of Alabama Department of Correctional
Psychology, or some other comparably qualified
agency or experts to be approved by the Court, to
aid in the implementation of that plan.
2. Paragraph IV §3 be and is hereby modified to
read
100a
The defendants shall hire at least those mental
health professionals and support personnel as set
forth in Exhibit 9 of the Board of Corrections
Report to the Court filed January 4, 1973, in
Newman v. Alabama, 349 F. Supp. 278 (M.D. Ala.
1972).
3. Defendants’ motion that the minimum space
required for each isolation cell be reduced be and is
hereby denied. Further, Paragraph II of the order be
and is hereby modified to read
1. No more than one prisoner shall be confined to
a single cell, and each such cell shall be a
minimum of 40 square feet. Within six months,
the area of each single occupancy isolation cell
shall be no less than 60 square feet.
2. Prison officials may, at their discretion, impose
additional sanctions as further set forth below
against inmates who are duly confined in punitive
isolation according to the procedural requirements
of Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539 (1974).
3. Each cell shall be equipped with a toilet which
can be flushed from the inside; a sink with hot
and cold running water, except that inmates in
punitive isolation who consistently misuse plumb-
ing facilities may be confined while in isolation in
a cell equipped with no less than a toilet which
can be flushed from the outside if such cell is
closely supervised by correctional personnel; venti-
lation and lighting which meet minimum standards
of the United States Public Health Service; clean
linen; and a bed off the floor.
4. Each inmate’ confined in isolation shall be
(a) permitted to bathe at least every other day;
(b) provided three wholesome and nutritious
meals per day served with eating and drinking
10la
utensils, except that inmates in punitive isola-
tion may be provided two meals per day if the
total diet while in punitive isolation is nutrition-
ally adequate;
(c) supplied the same toilet articles and linens
_as are required to be provided to th
inmate population; or
(d) provided reading and writing materials; and
allowed any personal legal or research materials,
except that reading matter other than legal
materials may be withheld from an inmate in
Punitive isolation for the period of such
confinement;
(e) allowed at least 30 minutes of outdoor
exercise per day; and
(f) afforded adequate medical and mental health
care, including examination by a physician and a
qualified mental health care professional at least
every third day. No inmate shall be deprived of
physical aids or prosthetic devices.
4. Defendants’ motion to modify Paragraph VII §4
of the order which requires that a special diet be
provided to inmates for reasons of health igi
d
be and is hereby denied. a
2 Paragraph IX §1 be and is hereby modified to
ea
Each inmate shall be assigned a meaningful job
on the basis of the inmate’s abilities and interests
and according to institutional needs. Inmates shall
not be required or allowed to perform household
or personal tasks except within the institution; as
part of a legitimate vocational, educational | or
work | program; at state owned and operated
facilities; or in the assistance of state governmental
officials who may need such personal services to
perform their official functions.
102a
6. Paragraph VIII §1 be and is hereby modified to
read
Defendants shall not limit the number or length
of letters a prisoner may send or receive. Mail to
or from courts, attorneys or other public officials
shall be inspected only for contraband and only in
the presence of the prisoner to whom it is
addressed or by whom it is mailed. Inspection or
censorship of other mail must be in aé@cordance
with the standards set forth in Procunter v.
Martinez, 416 U.S. 396 (1973). The defendants
shall supply postage and paper for each inmate,
who so wishes, to write not less than two letters
per week.
7. Defendants’ motion to modify Paragraph VIII §2
of the order to deny full visitation privileges for one
month to inmates undergoing initial classification be
and is hereby denied.
8. Defendants’ motion to modify Paragraph II §5 of
the order which requires that an inmate who is
voluntarily segregated be released immediately upon
request be and is hereby denied.
9. Paragraph VI §1 be and is hereby modified to
read
Prisoners shall be suppled, without charge,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors
and razor blades, soap, and combs. Each prisoner
also shall be provided adequate clean clothing and
a storage locker with a lock.
It is the further ORDER, JUDGMENT and DECREE
of this Court that defendants’ motion for a rehearing
on the ground that errors of law occurred before and
during the trial hereof prejudicial to defendants be and
the same is hereby denied.
103a
Done, this the 5th day of March, 1976.
/s/ [illegible]
UNITED STATES DISTRICT
JUDGE
104a
APPENDIX G
[233]
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA,
NORTHERN DIVISION
[Filed JAN 20 1975]
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-57-N
JERRY LEE PUGH, for himself and all others similarly
situated,
Plaintiffs,
Vv.
L.B. SULLIVAN, individually and in his official
capacity as Commissioner of the Alabama Board of
Corrections; et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
Defendants’ “Motion for Order Compelling Dis-
covery” filed January 17, 1975, wherein defendants ask
this Court to order the plaintiffs to answer certain
interrogatories propounded to them by defendants, is
ORDERED to be and is hereby granted.
It is further ORDERED that plaintiffs answer said
interrogatories within 10 days from this date.
It is further ORDERED that plaintiffs’ motion for
leave to amend by adding as a party defendant Warden
105a
H. Crouch of the G.K. Fountain Correctional Center be
and is hereby granted.
It is further ORDERED that plaintiffs’ motion for
leave to amend by dropping all claims for class damages
be and is hereby granted without prejudice to the right
of any individual member of the plaintiff class to
pursue independently his claim for dam for in-
dividual injuries. soi ety
‘It is further ORDERED that defendants’ motion for
trial by jury be and is denied for want of any issues
triable to a jury remaining in this lawsuit.
Done, this the 20th day of January, 1975.
/s/ Frank M. Johnson, Jr.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT
JUDGE
106a
APPENDIX H
[332]
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA,
NORTHERN DIVISION
[Filed JUN 27 1975]
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-57-N
JERRY LEE PUGH, for himself and all others similarly
ituated,
ne Plaintiffs,
Vv.
L.B. SULLIVAN, individually and in his official capacity
as Commissioner of the Alabama Board of Corrections;
et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
Upon consideration of the matters presented to the
Court during the hearing conducted in this cause this
date, it is ORDERED:
1. That plaintiffs’ motion to sever plaintiffs’ class
action injunctive claims from the individual claims for
damages asserted by plaintiff Pugh be and the same 1s
hereby granted.
2. That defendants’ motion filed June 6, 1975,
asking this Court to dismiss the claims of the plaintiff
107a
class for declaratory and injunctive relief be and the
same is hereby denied.
3. That plaintiffs’ motion seeking leave to amend
filed June 13, 1975, be and the same is hereby granted.
4. That defendants file responsive pleadings to
plaintiffs’ complaint as amended June 13, 1975, within
10 days from this date.
5. That with the exception of defendants’ response
to plaintiffs’ amended complaint, all pleadings in this
case be and they are hereby closed.
6. That the attorneys for the parties prepare and
present to this Court not later than July 10, 1975, a
pretrial order outlining the issues for trial in this case.
7. That this cause be and the same is hereby
consolidated for trial with Worley James, et al. v.
George C. Wallace, et al., Civil Action No. 74-203-N.
[333] 8. That the attorneys for the parties in this
cause be and they are hereby bound by the cutoff dates
and the trial date set forth in the order of this Court
made and entered in Worley James, et al. v. George C.
Wallace, et al., on June 24, 1975.
Done, this the 27th day of June, 1975.
FRANK M. JOHNSON, JR.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT
JUDGE
108a
APPENDIX I
[431]
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE
SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE DISTRICTS
OF ALABAMA
[Filed AUG 29 1975]
CIVIL ACTION NO. 5620-69-H
ROBERT G. McCRAY,
Petitioner,
v.
L.B. SULLIVAN,
Respondent.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 6091-70-H
ROBERT G. McCRAY,
Petitioner,
V.
L.B. SULLIVAN,
Respondent.
109a
CIVIL ACTION NO. 7094-72-H
JERRY WHITE and ALVIN CLAYBRONE,
Petitioners,
Vv.
COMMISSIONER OF ALABAMA
BOARD OF CORRECTIONS,
Respondent.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-57-N
JERRY LEE PUGH, for himself and all others similarly
situated,
Plaintiffs,
Vv.
L.B. SULLIVAN, individually and in his official
capacity as Commissioner of the Alabama Board of
Corrections; et al.,
Defendants,
IRA DE MENT, United States Attorney,
Amicus Curiae.
110a
CIVIL ACTION NO. 74-203-N
WORLEY JAMES, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
Vv.
GEORGE C. WALLACE, individually and in his official
capacity as Governor of Alabama; et al.,
Defendants,
THE NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT OF THE AMERI- *
CAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION, INC.,
and IRA DE MENT, United States Attorney,
Amici Curiae.
ORDER AND INJUNCTION
The plaintiffs in the above-captioned cases who are
prisoners incarcerated by the State of Alabama in its
penal system suing for themselves and for others
similarly situated as prisoners in the Alabama prison
system charge the defendant state officials who hold
them in custody with massive and aggravated viola-
tions of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States. The G.K. Fountain Correctional
Institution, formerly known as the Atmore Prison
Farm, and Holman Prison are located within the
geographical limits of the Southern District of Alabama.
The Mount Meigs Medical and Diagnostic Center and
the Draper Prison are geographically situated in the
Middle District of Alabama.
llla
Evidence has been taken in each of the cases and the
cases are now submitted.'! Upon these submissions it
clearly appears that the plaintiffs’ Eighth Amendment
rights have been and are being violated to the point
that their continued incarceration under the conditions
existing in the four prison facilities herein identified
constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The plaintiffs
in all cases seek interim emergency relief by asking that
the defendants be enjoined from accepting any new
prisoners into the Alabama correction system until the
population of each prison in the system is no greater
than its stipulated designed capacity. The serious
overcrowding in these facilities and the serious lack of
custodial officers results in the almost complete
inability on the part of the Alabama prison officials to
control violence within these prisons; this violence
includes, but is not limited to, stabbings and sexual
assaults by inmates upon other inmates, on a regular
and continued basis. Such conditions clearly dictate
that the plaintiffs are entitled to interim emergency
relief. Failure to grant this interim emergency relief
designed to immediately commence a reduction in the
prison facilities concerned will continue to subject the
plaintiffs and the members of plaintiffs’ class to these
serious constitutional deprivations. This interim emer-
gency relief is being granted jointly by the two judges
having these cases under submis.ion. The Middle
District cases and the Southern District cases will
otherwise be disposed of separately.
‘Judge Hand in the Souther District cases has filed his
findings and conclusions finding Eighth Amendment violations.
In the Middle District Cases the defendants acknowledged, at the
conclusion of the trial in open court, serious Eighth Amendment
violations.
112a
[433] Accordingly, it is the ORDER, JUDGMENT
and DECREE of these Courts that L.B. Sullivan,
individually and in his official capacity as Commissioner
of the Alabama Board of Corrections; George C.
Wallace, individually and in his official capacity as
Governor of Alabama; The Alabama Board of Cor-
rections; Yetta Samford, Jr., individually and as a
member of the Alabama Board of Corrections; J.E.
Vickers, individually and as a member of the Alabama
Board of Corrections; Thomas F. Staton, individually
and as a member of the Alabama Board of Corrections;
Max V. McLaughlin, individually and as a member of
the Alabama Board of Corrections; Thomas E. Brad-
ford, Sr., individually and as a member of the Alabama
Board of Corrections; the Wardens of G.K. Fountain
Correctional Center, the Medical and Diagnostic Center,
the Draper Prison, and the Holman Prison; their agents,
assigns, successors in office, employees, and any others
acting in concert with them, be and each is hereby
ENJOINED from accepting or permitting the accept-
ance of any new prisoners, except escapees who have
been apprehended and parole violators who have had
their paroles revoked, into the Alabama penal system
until the population of Draper Prison, G.K. Fountain
Correctional Center, Holman Prison and the Mount
Meigs Medical and Diagnostic Center is no greater than
the designed capacity for said facilities.
It is further ORDERED that the United States
Marshals for the Middle and Southern Districts of
Alabama forthwith serve each defendant, including the
Wardens of G.K. Fountain Correctional Center, Holman
1l3a
and Draper Prisons and the Mo
Diagnostic Center, ye shorelines
with a copy of this injunction.
Done, this the 29th day of August, 1975.
/s/ Frank M. Johnson, Jr.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
/s/ W. B. Hand
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
ll4a
APPENDIX. J
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
ROBERT G. McCRAY,
Petitioner,
versus C.A. No. 5620-69-H
L.B. SULLIVAN,
Respondent.
ROBERT G. McCRAY,
Petitioner,
versus C.A. No. 6091-70-H
L.B. SULLIVAN,
Respondent.
JERRY WHITE and ALVIN CLAYBRONE,
Petitioners,
versus C.A. No. 7094-72-H
COMMISSIONER OF ALABAMA
BOARD OF CORRECTIONS,
Respondent.
ORDER
In its Order of August 7, 1975, this Court disposed
of the issues raised by Civil Action 7094-72-H; allowed
amendment of Civil Actions 5620-69-H and 6091-70-H
to permit them to proceed as class actions, and
continued same for further study. On August 29, 1975
a joint Order in this and other cases was issued with
1l5a
Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. of the Middle District,
enjoining prison authorities from accepting any more
prisoners in any of the State institutions until such time
as those institutions had a prison population no greater
than the design capacity of said respective facilities,'
which injunction is still in force and effect. By further
joint Order dated October 9, 1975, the Courts allowed
a clarification of the aforesaid injunction permitting
administrative transfer of prisoners within the prison
system without the necessity of having to transport the
body through overburdened institutions.
Having therefore reserved judgment on the remaining
issues in this case pending possible action by the 1975
Legislature, which was then in session to fashion some
relief, and the Legislature having adjourned without
addressing itself fully to the question, and the Courts
having taken additional testimony on the problem,
determines that further order is now appropriate.
As heretofore set forth in the August 7, 1975 Order,
G.K. Fountain Correctional Center, Draper Correctional
Center, Holman Unit and Medical and Diagnostic Center
are grossly overpopulated and grossly understaffed,
proximately resulting in conditions that give rise to
sub-human treatment of the inmates incarcerated
therein, a condition which this Court found to be
"Robert G. McCray v. L.B. Sullivan, Civil Action 5620-69-H;
Robert G. McCray v. L.B. Sullivan, Civil Action 6091-70-H; Jerry
White and Alvin Claybrone v. Commissioner of Alabama Board
of Corrections, Civil Action 7094-72-H; Jerry Lee Pugh v. L.B.
Sullivan, et al, Ira De Ment, U.S. Attorney, Amicus Curiae, Civil
Action 74-57-N; and Worley James, et al. v. George C. Wallace,
et al, The National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties
Union Foundation, Inc. and Ira De Ment, U.S. Attorney, Amicus
Curiae, Civil Action 74-203-N.
1l6a
violative of the Constitution of the United States. The
only relief that appears on the horizon is the passage of
a bond issue that would permit certain corrective
measures to be taken in the physical plants of the
various institutions, and the reduction in population
resulting from the injunction of the Courts.
It has been urged upon this Court, and others, that
definitive order should issue specifying what would
meet Constitutional muster in this type case. Such
advocacy requires of this Court that it give a
declaratory judgment or an advisory opinion on what is
meant by cruel and inhuman punishment as prohibited
by the Constitution. Neither this nor any other Court
has infinite wisdom or a crystal ball that would permit
it to one time determine what other judges might agree
is required by the circumstances presented to them by
the facts in these cases and for this reason this Court
will not attempt to undertake such an effort.
It is and should be the province and burden of the
State and those departments responsible, to undertake
corrective action to provide the minimum requirements
of a system that does not impose cruel and inhuman
punishment upon inmates incarcerated by it. This Court
is of the opinion that it does not possess and should
not assume authority to direct the exact means or
method to be pursued by the State in discharging such
duties. Suffice it to say that if the State fails to
properly discharge such duties of providing and
operating its prison facilities in a manner which no
longer infringes upon the Constitutional rights of the
inmates it may become necessary to enjoin further use
of such facilities for the incarceration of prisoners.
The Board of Corrections and Commissioner has
previously indicated to this Court and they are unable,
INRA
117a
under Present funding, to undertake any meaningful
corrective measures. Bond funds have now been
authorized and it is hoped that the Legislature, which
convenes in May, will provide additional funds and
means sufficient to enable the State to discharge its
duties with respect to its prison facilities. In light of
this It is therefore ORDERED that the defendants
provide this Court within 90 days a written report of
the present condition of the prison system as it affects
the institutions specified herein; the contemplated use
of the bond funds authorized by the people of the
State of Alabama; the effect of such use on present
conditions in the various institutions; time schedule of
such implementation; and the recommendations it
proposes to make to the next session of the Legi
for additional or further relief. sani
It is further ORDERED that the defendants make a
supplemental report in writing within 180 days
reflecting the then conditions of the prisons and the
success, if any, to be derived from legislative action
Unless . such reports indicate probable success in
alleviating the present conditions within the foreseeable
future and unless the Legislature shows a willingness tu
address itself forcefully to the problem with legislation
that speaks affirmatively to the solution of the
overcrowding, understaffing and administration of the
present penal system, then this Court will again review
the matter with the view towards other appropriate
118a
action. The Court retains jurisdiction pending further
orders.
DONE this 10th day of February, 1976.
/s/ W.B. HAND
UNITED STATES DISTRICT
JUDGE
U.S. DIST. COURT
SOU. DIST. OF ALA.
FILED AND ENTERED THIS THE
10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1976
MINUTE ENTRY NO. 40007
WILLIAM J. O’CONNOR, CLERK
BY:
/s/ J. BETANCOURT
Deputy Clerk.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.