District of Columbia Settles D.C. Jail Class Action Lawsuit for $6.2 Million

District of Columbia Settles D.C. Jail Class Action Lawsuit for $6.2 Million

By Dominic Rivera

After eight years of litigation, the District of Columbia has agreed to pay $6.2 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the city had been holding inmates at the D.C. Jail beyond their release date. The city was also allegedly strip-searching inmates who were supposed to be released.

The settlement is subject for approval by U.S. District Senior Judge Royce Lamberth who ruled in 2011 that the city was in violation of the constitutional rights of inmates.

In 2007, when the the judge granted class action status to the lawsuit, the D.C. Office of the Attorney General argued in court papers that the “District has neither a policy or practice of holding inmates past their proper release dates in deliberate indifference to the orders or other authority affecting their release.”

They also argued that “courts have recognized that complications affect when inmates are released, including processing, arranging transportation and reviewing local and federal databases for outstanding warrants.

Under the proposed settlement, Class Members with valid claims against District of Columbia for over-detention or strip-searches will receive a share of $2.9 million. The city will also shell out $475,000 to improve the inmate processing at the D.C. Jail. Almost $2.5 million will go to plaintiff’s legal fees and other costs. Any remaining settlement funds will be used to pay for class administration and payments for lead plaintiffs.

Prior to this class action lawsuit settlement, the city also settled for $12 million in 2006 for alleged violations of inmates’ rights between 2002 and 2005.

Class Members may file objections before any final deal is approved.

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