IDOC tactical team performed “shakedowns” that violated Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel & unusual punishment
BENTON, IL (March 26, 2020) – A federal court today granted class certification to a lawsuit by Illinois prisoners who allegedly were “beat, sexually humiliated, and otherwise abused” by Illinois Department of Corrections guards who “gratuitously inflicted punishment for the sole purpose of causing humiliation and needless pain.”
Ross v. Gossett, a suit brought by legal aid nonprofit Uptown People’s Law Center and civil rights law firm Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law, alleges that an IDOC tactical team known as “Orange Crush” conducted the unconstitutional behavior against hundreds of prisoners during “shakedowns” at four Illinois prisons.
The lawsuit says the shakedowns included tactics such as strip searches of male prisoners in front of women officers, painfully tight handcuffing, standing in “stress positions” for hours, and that officers repeatedly yelled epithets at the prisoners. The suit also details that the Orange Crush tactical team ordered prisoners to march with their heads on the backs of the prisoners ahead of them in line, necessitating that every man’s genitals were in direct contact with the buttocks of the man in front of him, referred to by the team as “Nuts to Butts.”
Judge Staci M. Yandle of the Southern District of Illinois in her ruling today said:
“The named Plaintiffs’ claims, while not identical, are typical of the class. Each alleges that during uniformly executed shakedowns, they and the putative class members, were subjected to humiliating and unsanitary strip searches and line movements and that they were subjected to uncomfortable and painful handcuffing and extended hours of uncomfortable standing or sitting; in violation of the Eighth Amendment.”
Alan Mills, executive director of Uptown People’s Law Center, said, “At first it was hard to believe these brazenly unconstitutional abuses occurred, but all the evidence we have uncovered proves that they happened. We are thrilled that prisoners will now have a chance to be compensated for the injuries they suffered at the hands of the Orange Crush.”
Uptown People’s Law Center (UPLC) is a nonprofit legal services organization specializing in prisoners’ rights, Social Security disability, and tenants’ rights and eviction defense. UPLC currently has five class action lawsuits against the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Loevy & Loevy is one of the nation’s largest civil rights law firms and has won more multi-million-dollar jury verdicts than any other civil rights law firm in the country.
Im a mither thats had to deal with police frame in court by sending my innosent son to prison they had no solid evedence a person it self said it wasent him so i been no one got hurt no one had no wepons. with justice program trying to free my sons in them prisons of police misconduct s and now im worried more. Of more conduct of yes torture prisons.please help our loved ones in the prisons free our loved ones
I have 2 serious issues I need some legal advice on regarding things that happened while I was at wayne county jail in detroit MI. First I was sexually assaulted by a staff member. I filed grievances PREA prosecuting paper work. After filing paper work staff were verbally assaulting me and harrassing me. Second I was a trustee on the mental health floor they made me clean up blood urine and feces on a daily basis without proper safety garments such as gown shoe covers masks or bleach. I was forced to use the same mop head for weeks at a time and would have to use the same mop head to clean up the body fluids then there cells and living areas. When I said I didn’t feel safe cleanjng these body fluids up without proper cleaning supplies or safety garments they told me I will clean it up or I’ll be fired moved to old side of jail where unsentenced inmates were and have my stay extended. I was forced to work in this enviroment for several months like this with the threat of my freedom being heald over my head.
This is good news, albeit late, it’s good to be happening now. Blessing UPLC and Loevy&Loevy staff and all they represent!
I was in Illinois River correctional center when they made us sit in a uncomfortable position for hours. We had to endure pain so agonizing that grown men wept on their knees. Their shoulders fell out of place from being strapped tightly against their bodies. Men pissed themselves because these cruel guards would not let them used the bathrooms. I myself suffered torn ligaments in my left shoulder that I still feel today. Because of this I cannot perform certain exercises. I wish to be included in this class action lawsuit.
My husband has said that he was violated in some of the same ways as stated in your lawsuit against IDOC. His name is Carlton White B20358 he is currently incarcerated in Jacksonville Corectional Center. I’m sure he would like to speak to an attorney about this if possible.
My son is in federal prison in Virginia and placed in shu in fear for his safety I haven’t talk to him in almost 3 weeks. When u call u never get anybody . What is that about who do u contact to check on his wellbeing….concerned parent