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Inmate Abuse

People being held in jail or serving time in prison are stripped of many freedoms, but they are still entitled to many civil rights. Unfortunately, it is all too common for inmates’ rights to be abused or neglected. If you or a loved one have been mistreated or abused while in prison or jail, contact Counsel Hound for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation. Our Counsel Hound-approved attorneys will help you receive the compensation you deserve and hold accountable those responsible for your mistreatment.
Inmate Abuse

Statistics

There were over two million people incarcerated in the U.S. in 2019. The incarcerated population decreased to 1.8 million by mid-2020.[1] According to Pennsylvania State University, 217,000 people being held in U.S. prisons are raped each year.[2] The Department of Justice stated that over 12% of juveniles also report sexual violence within juvenile correctional facilities.[3] In 2011, there were 8,768 sexual assault allegations nationwide. After the Department of Justice published national standards for eliminating rape, the number of reports increased 180% to 24,661 by 2015.[4] Leaders of prisoner rights advocacy groups believe the increased reports are a result of prisoners trusting the system.[5]

History

If an inmate has been abused while in prison or jail, they may have the right to sue. Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act allows individuals to sue state government employees and others for civil rights violations. Section 1983 was created as a means to enforce the civil rights that already exist.[6] The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) allows prisoners to sue the government for compensation for abuse faced by employees or other inmates.[7]

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into law in September 2003 to eradicate prisoner rape in U.S. facilities. As a result of the PREA, the Protecting Inmates and Safeguarding Communities program was established by the Bureau of Justice in 2004. The program provided funds to help states support the PREA goals. In 2011, the Bureau of Justice established zero-tolerance cultures with PREA Demonstration projects. The PREA created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission. The commission drafted standards for enacting the PREA goals, and the Department of Justice published the final standards in 2012.[8]

Violations

Inmates have the right:
  • To seek medical care and mental health care.
  • To live in humane facilities,
  • To report their living conditions,
  • To protection from sexual crimes,
  • To be free from racial segregation and hate crimes,
  • To be granted accommodations per the ADA.
Violations of inmate rights may include:
  • Inhumane living conditions,
  • Denial of medical care or ADA accommodations,
  • Excessive force by correctional facility staff,
  • Sexual assault by inmates or staff.
If you or a loved one have suffered abuse while in prison or jail, contact Counsel Hound today for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation. Our Counsel Hound-approved lawyers will work to include all available compensation in your case.

Why File A Lawsuit ?

Filing an inmate abuse claim can help:
  • Victims of abuse focus on health and treatment.
  • Families afford the cost of their loved one’s medical and funeral expenses.
  • Hold correctional facilities and their employees accountable.
  • Encourage other victims to seek fair compensation for their injuries.

In Recent News

Tennessee’s Shelby County Jail agreed to a $4.9 million class-action settlement to compensate citizens who were detained between November 1, 2016, and March 21, 2021. Eligible citizens include those who were detained after Shelby County’s legal authority for detention ended. Shelby County Jail denied any wrongdoing or liability, and the Court did not find the party guilty. Any new claims of inappropriately lengthy detainments will be reviewed by Shelby County’s emergency grievance review process.[9]

FAQs

The amount of time you have to file an inmate abuse claim depends on the statute of limitations in your state. It is generally two to three years. Contact Counsel Hound to discuss your eligibility.
Counsel Hound offers no-cost consultations and case evaluations. Many lawyers work on a contingency fee meaning the attorney fees come from your settlement award once you win. If there is no recovery, you will not have to pay anything.
If you lost a loved one to inmate abuse, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Contact Counsel Hound to discuss your available options.

REFERENCES

  1. https://www.vera.org/downloads /publications/people-in -jail-and-prison-in-2020.pdf
  2. https://www.vera.org/ downloads/publications /people-in-jail-and-prison-in-2020.pdf
  3. https://www.ojp.gov/sites/ g/files/xyckuh241/files/media /document/panel_report_1 01014.pdf
  4. https://sites.psu.edu/ erincivicissue/ 2019/03/13/mistreatment- and-abuse-within-prisons/
  5. https://www.themarshallproject. org/2018/07/25/prison -rape-allegations-are-on-the-rise
  6. https://libguides.law.umn.edu/ c.php?g=125765&p=2893387
  7. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/ misc/R45732.pdf
  8. https://www.prearesourcecenter. org/about/prison-rape- elimination-act
  9. https://topclassactions.com/ lawsuit-settlements/open-lawsuit-settlements/ 1034253- shelby-county-jail-improper- detention -4-9m-class-action-settlement/