Brigette Honaker  |  December 26, 2018

Category: Jail / Prison

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prison crowding problemOhio prison inmates have brought a class action lawsuit against the state’s prison system alleging that overcrowding and other issues endanger inmates.

The class action, brought against Cuyahoga County and county officials, claims that the long-term overcrowding and understaffing has brought a variety of issues including lack of access to food and water.

These issues have resulted in inmate injuries and deaths, according to the plaintiffs.

Jails in Cuyahoga County allegedly have a stated capacity of 1,765 persons. Despite these limitations, the jails hold more than 2,400 inmates, the plaintiffs state.

The Ohio prison class action also details inmate deaths which allegedly occurred in the system between June and October.

According to the plaintiffs, at least seven inmates died during this time, including three inmates which allegedly committed suicide. There were also reportedly 55 attempted suicides within the past year of filing the complaint.

“Defendants have long been on notice of the horrific conditions and constitutional deprivations occurring daily at [Cuyahoga County Corrections Center], yet have failed to timely or effectively remedy the deplorable state of affairs,” the Ohio prison class action lawsuit claims.

One plaintiff, Tonya Clay, says she was forced to sleep on a mat in her cell due to overcrowding. She also reported mold covering the jail showers and a lack of medical treatment for her liver damage and glaucoma. Clay was allegedly also denied the ability to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Another plaintiff, Anthony Bonner, claims he has been denied basic rights including sufficient food and clean living quarters. The complaint alleges that his cell toilet was once clogged and inoperable for an entire week, forcing him to use the common area toilets instead. Bonner complained of the shower conditions similarly to Clay, alleging that the shower areas are “covered in mold and soap scum.”

Other plaintiffs participating in the Ohio prison class action lawsuit claim similar problems. Other issues include lack of cleaning equipment, lack of clean laundry, lack of mental health treatments, severe Red Zone isolation, denial of religious services, and more.

Plaintiffs seek to represent a Class of inmates who were subject to the policies, practices, and customs of the Cuyahoga County Correction Center including “unconstitutional, illegal, and dangerous conditions of confinement.”

The plaintiffs also seek to represent a restrictive housing subclass, a medical care subclass, a mental health care subclass, and a religious freedom subclass comprised of inmates who suffered from specific conditions detailed in the class action.

The Ohio prison class action lawsuit seeks injunctive relief for problems including population, staffing, environmental conditions, classification, housing, screening, health care access, healthcare staffing, emergency response, medication, chronic care, mental health treatment, quality assurance, restrictive housing, grievances, religious services, and more.

The Ohio prison inmates are represented by Sarah Gelsomino, Jacqueline Greene, and Terry Gilbert of Friedman & Gilbert; James L. Hardiman of Cleveland Branch NAACP; and J. Philip Calabrese and Caroline H. Gentry of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP.

The Ohio Prison Class Action Lawsuit is Clay, et al. v. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-02929, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

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5 thoughts onOhio Prison Class Action Says Inmates Deprived of Basic Rights

  1. Carolyn Kornegay says:

    My name is Carolyn Kornegay and I would love to speak to someone about the Ohio prison system, mainly Toledo correctional institution and Ross Correctional Institution. They have no regard for the health and welfare of the individuals being housed there. Their health and safety is a joke, excessive force and racism is not hidden and getting the guy’s medical attention is slim to none. They watch inmates attack other inmates. They use excessive force and nothing is being done about it

  2. Jennifer Davenport says:

    My fiance Gerald Farley was in the Cuyahoga County jail between August 18, 2018, until November 27, 2018. He was living in jail in those deplorable conditions, he often complained to me about what was going on in there. Hell, I have a bench warrant and I was going to turn myself in but not under those conditions. People are dying in there not eating properly, and the officers are beating on inmates. I am not going anywhere near that place, guess I will never get my license.

  3. Susan E graciale says:

    Inmates in mass. Are drinking water that is deemed contaminated in Norfolk county . At times water is shut off and they must buy water for $ 12 a case bottled water from commissary. Can I add my famy member to this case or should I start my own? Norfolk is supposed to build a water filter system , three years ago ! Lead levels are present.

  4. Daniel J Gordon says:

    Add me

  5. Danny Herpka says:

    I am currently incarcerated and would like to be added to this law suit due to
    Sleeping in floor, filthy food trays, expired food, dirty clothes, no rec., red zoned, poor medical care, and I haven’t received my psych meds.

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