NCJ Number
103071
Date Published
1985
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Inmates win monetary damages of settlements in only a miniscule number of lawsuits they file against State and Federal correctional systems.
Abstract
This finding is based on reports submitted by 34 (of 52 surveyed) systems on lawsuits filed in the 2 years preceding 1985. During this period, the systems identified only 87 lawsuits lost and 161 settled that resulted in an award of monetary damages to inmates. The largest damage awards were found in medical-related and failure-to-protect lawsuits. In all systems, suits settled greatly outnumbered suits lost. Property claims involving small monetary amounts were the types of suits most frequently lost or settled. For the 12-month period ending June 30, 1985, results indicate that more than 22,000 prisoner petitions were filed in district and appeals courts involving civil rights actions. Thus, the proportion of suits resulting in damage awards is miniscule. Charts detail suits lost, monetary damages and attorneys fees for lawsuits involving property claims, medical, due process, disciplinary injury, use of force, conditions of confinement and other grievances. Data table. (Author abstract modified)