Johnson v. Mitchem

No. CV-97-C-1301-S (N.D. Ala. filed Aug. 5, 1997). ; Clearinghouse Number: 52209

Description

Inmates Challenge Prison Officials' Policy Restricting Reading Material

Abstract

Plaintiff prisoners have filed their complaint in this action challenging defendant prison officials' policy of prohibiting inmates at Donaldson Correctional Facility from receiving (1) books from publishers, book clubs, or book distributors; (2) magazines that are not on defendants' list of 16 approved publications; (3) newspapers that are not from inmates' hometowns; or (4) book catalogs. Named plaintiff alleges that the challenged policy has prevented him from receiving a book on forensic DNA evidence necessary to assist him in pursuing his post-conviction appeal. Plaintiffs claim that defendants' policy violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. They seek class certification, declaratory and injunctive relief, and costs and attorney fees.

Additional Information

Attorney Information
Plaintiffs represented by Ellen Bowden, Rhonda Brownstein, J. Richard Cohen, Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36102-2087; (334) 264-0286
Docket Date
1997-08-05 00:00:00+00:00

Files

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