FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2002 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRT (202) 616-2777 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - - Under an agreement reached today between the Justice Department and the Wyoming Department of Corrections, the state will begin improving conditions of confinement for inmates incarcerated at the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins, Wyoming.
The agreement addresses the Justice Department's June 1999 findings arising from an investigation initiated in October 1998 pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"). In response to the Justice Department findings and consultant reports, the State of Wyoming voluntarily initiated a number of efforts to remedy deficiencies at the prison, including beginning construction of a new correctional facility in Rawlins and considering closing the original facility.
"This agreement reflects the collaborative efforts of the State of Wyoming and the Justice Department to address difficult conditions and issues of confinement at the Wyoming State Penitentiary," said Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "We are pleased with the commitments Wyoming authorities have made to improve medical and mental health care at the penitentiary and their commitments to assure incarcerated persons reasonable protection from harm." The agreement addresses several critical areas in which inmates were at risk of serious harm from identified deficiencies in medical care, mental health care, protection from harm, environmental health and safety and fire safety.
Under the agreement: * The State will retain sufficient qualified medical care staff to provide necessary and timely medical care to inmates. It will implement new or improved medical care policies and procedures.
* The State will retain sufficient qualified mental health staff to provide necessary mental health services to inmates and will implement appropriate mental health policies and procedures.
* The State will retain sufficient correction officer staff to supervise inmates adequately.
* The State will implement a revised inmate classification system to assure appropriate safety and security and inmate protection from harm.
* Fire safety training and emergency drills will be routinely implemented.
* Environmental conditions will be addressed to maintain the facility in a clean and safe condition.
* Food service operations will be appropriately directed and supervised at all times by a qualified food service supervisor. Kitchen employees and inmates will be trained in safe food handling practices.
The agreement and the lawsuit complaint and Joint Motion for Dismissal were filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Wyoming, along with a request that the matter be placed on the Court's inactive docket.
Based on periodic reporting to, and compliance visits by the Justice Department and its consultants, the agreement authorizes the United States to reactivate its CRIPA lawsuit if the state does not achieve substantial compliance with the terms of the agreement. 02-220
Source: US Department of Justice
