Shasta County officials issued a brief official response to a lawsuit alleging systemic maltreatment, discrimination and retaliation against disabled detainees held at the Shasta County Jail.
Officials flatly denied some claims, blamed others on state policy and said they were negotiating with plaintiffs’ attorneys to resolve other issues raised in the suit.
The Disability Rights Legal Center and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children are suing the county, along with Sheriff Tom Bosenko. The groups allege violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, exclusion from programs and retribution against those filing grievances.
Bosenko, in a written statement, described productive negotiations with plaintiff’s attorneys before the suit was filed. He said those discussions continue.
Bosenko blamed prison realignment, which has shunted thousands of inmates from state prisons to county jails, for creating ADA compliance issues. Bosenko’s office strongly denied that cancer medication was withheld from one of the plaintiffs or that a detainee was served tainted food as retaliation for filing a complaint.
Original story posted 10:00 a.m. 5/30/16
Disturbing allegations of abuse, maltreatment and retaliation against prisoners are being leveled against Shasta County in a class action lawsuit.
The suit was filed by Legal Services for Prisoners with Children and the Disability Rights Legal Center. It alleges that inadequate facilities and systemic practices violate the civil rights of those held at the Shasta County Jail.
The suit seeks fair treatment for the disabled, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and monetary damages.
Attorneys allege that detainees are excluded from jail programs and services and placed in solitary confinement for 23-hours a day. The complaint accuses officials of assigning disabled detainees to top bunks, confiscating canes and crutches and denying use of accessible bathing facilities.
Dorsey Nunn is executive director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.
“Places like San Quentin, Folsom, death row are able to use canes and able to use crutches,” she said. “So why should a person (who) in most instances, they may not have been found guilty of anything, not have access to the bare minimum?”
The suit documents several serious injuries among detainees attributed to jail facilities and procedures. The suit says detainees suffering injuries were laughed at and denied adequate medical care. Attorneys claim those attempting to file complaints were singled out for retribution, including having body cavity searches or being denied cancer medications.
Shasta County officials were unable to return a call requesting comment.
Attorneys are seeking class action status for their suit, filed in federal court in Sacramento. The suit names Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko, the Sheriff’s Department, the County and the company providing medical services at the jail as defendants.