With Connecticut’s coronavirus numbers continuing a steady decline and reaching levels that were not seen since before Thanksgiving, the state is planning to move into the next phase of its vaccination rollout, beginning with adults who are 65 and older. Frontline essential workers and those with underlying health conditions are also expected to be included in the next, large group.
Lawsuit seeks to keep prisoners with mental illness out of Northern Correctional
Kelan Lyons, CT Mirror
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Northern Correctional Institution’s use of solitary confinement and in-cell shackling amounts to discrimination against prisoners with mental illnesses, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday that seeks to end those practices.
The federal lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Connecticut against the state Department of Correction, Acting Commissioner Angel Quiros and Northern Warden Roger Bowles claims the state discriminates against prisoners with mental illnesses by failing to modify DOC procedures so inmates with mental health conditions can access programs, services and opportunities that other incarcerated people have.
Published February 04. 2021 8:11PM
HARTFORD (AP) A disability rights group sued Connecticut prison officials Thursday on allegations that inmates with mental illness are being physically and psychologically abused at the maximum-security Northern Correctional Institution.
The nonprofit Disability Rights Connecticut says in the federal court lawsuit that the Department of Correction s use of prolonged isolation and in-cell shackling of mentally ill prisoners is cruel and unusual punishment that violates their constitutional rights. The treatment is also illegal discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the suit says.
The Correction Department has a policy to not comment on pending litigation, said agency spokesperson Andrius Banevicius.
A disability rights group has filed a lawsuit against state prison officials, alleging that isolating and shackling people with mental illness at the maximum-security Northern Correctional Institution is a violation of their civil rights.