Federal lawsuit targets treatment of mentally ill inmates in DE

Controversy for the Delaware prison system after a lawsuit was filed today in federal court.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Community Legal Aid Society Inc. are now suing Delaware prison officials alleging that they unconstitutionally subject mentally ill prisoners to solitary confinement without proper evaluation and treatment.

According to the complaint, solitary confinement is an especially dangerous practice for mentally ill inmates, often making symptoms worse and violating their constitutional rights. The Community Legal Aid Society says they interviewed dozens of inmates with serious mental illnesses. The suit is apparently asking for the court to mandate appropriate relief, to effectively stop the process of solitary confinement for mentally ill prisoners.

47 ABC reached out to the Delaware Department of Corrections. They say say they have worked with the ACLU and Community Legal Aid Society for several months to address issues involving inmates with serious mental illness.

According to a statement sent to 47 ABC, DOC officials say they also supported the legislature’s passage of a resolution earlier this year, calling for a study of restrictive housing practices in prisons. Recommendations from that study are apparently due at the end of this year.

In a statement, Department of Correction Commissioner Robert Coupe says, “We believe that continuing the constructive engagement among all interested parties that is resulting in tangible reform is the best way forward, instead of protracted litigation that would divert limited state funds from programs and treatment to attorneys and legal fees.”