Davis v. RI Department of Corrections

  • Filed: 02/28/2019
  • Status: Closed
  • Latest Update: Feb 28, 2019
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Summary

This is a class-action lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections (DOC) claiming that the facility failed to provide adequate heat to at least two cell blocks for more than a month and a half.

This is a class-action lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections (DOC) claiming that the facility failed to provide adequate heat to at least two cell blocks for more than a month and a half. The lawsuit argues that the facility’s failure to provide heat during the coldest months of the year has made cells “dangerously cold,” placing prisoners’ health and safety at risk, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Update: March 2019: Lawsuit voluntarily dismissed by the ACLU following the DOC taking action to restore adequate heat.

Attorney(s):
Sonja Deyoe, Lynette Labinger

News & Commentary

Mar 15, 2019

ACLU Dismisses Lawsuit After Adequate Heat Restored at ACI Facility

The ACLU of Rhode Island today voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Department of Corrections (DOC) in January, which challenged the lack of adequate heat for more than a month and a half in cell blocks at the ACI’s Intake Center.

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Jan 25, 2019

ACLU Sues State for Failing to Provide Adequate Heat at ACI Facility for More than a Month

After receiving numerous complaints from inmates at the ACI’s Intake Center, the ACLU of RI today filed a class-action lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections (DOC) claiming that the facility has failed to provide adequate heat to at least two cell blocks for more than a month and a half.  The lawsuit, filed by ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys Sonja Deyoe and Lynette Labinger, argues that the facility’s failure to provide heat during the coldest months of the year has made cells “dangerously cold,” placing prisoners’ health and safety at risk, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

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Learn More About the Issues in This Case

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Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
Mar 15, 2019
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  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +1 Issue

ACLU Dismisses Lawsuit After Adequate Heat Restored at ACI Facility

The ACLU of Rhode Island today voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Department of Corrections (DOC) in January, which challenged the lack of adequate heat for more than a month and a half in cell blocks at the ACI’s Intake Center.
News & Commentary
Jan 25, 2019
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ACLU Sues State for Failing to Provide Adequate Heat at ACI Facility for More than a Month

After receiving numerous complaints from inmates at the ACI’s Intake Center, the ACLU of RI today filed a class-action lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections (DOC) claiming that the facility has failed to provide adequate heat to at least two cell blocks for more than a month and a half.  The lawsuit, filed by ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys Sonja Deyoe and Lynette Labinger, argues that the facility’s failure to provide heat during the coldest months of the year has made cells “dangerously cold,” placing prisoners’ health and safety at risk, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.