GILA COUNTY JAIL SETTLES ALLEGATIONS OF INADEQUATE INMATE CONDITIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­ An Arizona jail has settled allegations that it failed to provide basic care and adequate conditions to inmates, under an agreement filed today with the Justice Department.

The agreement, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, resolves allegations that the Gila County Jail in Globe, Arizona, violated the constitutional rights of the inmates, by not providing adequate care and conditions for inmates. Under the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which was enacted to protect the rights of persons institutionalized in public facilities, such as jails and prisons, the Justice Department is able to investigate and seek civil remedies for problems identified at the facilities.

"We must not let unconstitutional conditions go unnoticed in our nation's institutions," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "I am pleased that the cooperative efforts of Gila County officials have resulted in improved conditions at the Globe jail."

In a letter issued in January 1998, the Justice Department revealed that it had found inadequacies with correctional officer staffing, training and security, inmate supervision, medical care, and food service operation. The Department also determined that the jail needed an improved inmate classification system to avoid mixing predatory inmates with nonviolent inmates.

Under the agreement, Gila County will hire additional staff for the jail, including a full-time jail director. The county will also work with the National Jail Center at the National Institute of Corrections to develop systems to improve inmate classification and eliminate crowding in the inmate "holding cell" areas of the jail.

Additionally, the agreement requires Gila County to provide appropriate medical screening for contagious diseases and chronic medical conditions, as well as staff training in suicide prevention. The county will also enlarge the kitchen and add needed food service equipment. Fire notification and safety equipment will also be repaired or replaced.

Due to the cooperative response of the county authorities, today's settlement, filed jointly by the U.S. and Gila County, asks the court to grant a conditional dismissal of the case. The parties have asked the court to place the case on its inactive docket pending implementation of the settlement agreement.

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