Judge Says Constitution Doesn't Mandate Comfortable Prisons

Cleveland News Channel 5 ^ | 8/14/2003

[Mudcat]

Judge Rules Jail Conditions Not Unconstitutional

AKRON, Ohio -- Saying the Constitution doesn't mandate comfortable prisons, a federal judge ruled that conditions at the Summit County Jail don't violate prisoners' rights.

The jail is overcrowded and at any given time about 100 of the more than 500 inmates sleep on cots.

Prisoners opposing a proposal to end federal oversight of the jail contended that sleeping on cots violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment and creates a safety risk to inmates, as well as employees.

U.S. District Judge Peter Economus agreed to end 30 years of federal oversight. County attorneys had argued that while the jail's capacity is regularly exceeded, no inmates' rights had been violated and no one has been harmed as a result.

[Mudcat]

Rather a sad state of affairs, that a ruling like this is considered "news"... but at least there's one magistrate out there with a good head on his shoulders

[happygrl]

"Sleeping on cots" is considered cruel and unususal punishment?

[jwh_Denver]

This judge deserves a seat on the Supreme Court.

[Newbomb Turk]

The finest fighting force in the world is damned glad if theyt get to sleep on a cot. It should be good enough for prison inmates.

Give them some of those mre's or even better tray pack meals. Any Army soldier who has had tray packs will tell you what a joy they are.(Best eaten in the dark)

[goose1]

They do have a choice the floor or the cot.what happened to You lose your rights when in jail.