The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, under the leadership of Judge Michelle Friedland, recently affirmed a district court decision in a landmark case that has been ongoing for nearly 30 years. The case was brought by a class of disabled prisoners in California who accused the state of discrimination against inmates with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act (RA). The class of prisoners, who initially won the case in 1994, has been returning to the courts to allege that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Governor has failed to comply with the measures set by the court.
In its recent decision, the court affirmed the district court’s finding that staff at the prisons repeatedly denied disabled prisoners reasonable accommodations and that the discrimination was a result of the lack of an investigation and discipline system. The court also confirmed the district court’s plan for the prisons, which sought to address these issues through several measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras and body-worn cameras, reforms to the processes for staff complaints, investigations, and discipline, monitoring by a court-appointed expert, and increased staff training.
The district court first ruled in favor of the class of prisoners in 1994, recognizing that disabled prisoners were being discriminated against and that the state failed to provide reasonable accommodations. However, despite the court’s ruling, the Department of Corrections and the Governor have allegedly failed to implement the measures set by the court to address this discrimination.
The case highlights the ongoing struggle of disabled prisoners to receive fair treatment and equal access to the same opportunities as other prisoners. The court’s recent decision to affirm the district court’s findings and plan for the prisons is a significant step in the right direction. It sends a clear message that discrimination against disabled prisoners will not be tolerated.
In conclusion, the 30-year-long case brought by disabled prisoners in California highlights the ongoing struggle for fair treatment and equal access to opportunities for disabled individuals. The recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm the district court’s findings and plan for the prisons serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rights of disabled individuals and addressing discrimination in all forms.
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US appeals court affirms order for more surveillance in California prisons to protect disabled prisoners’ rights