January 11, 2006

Supremes Say OK to Disabled Prisoner Suits

On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that disabled prisoners do in fact have the right to use the Americans with Disabilities Act to sue for damages over violations of their rights. "Georgia argued that states should be immune from inmate lawsuits brought under the law," reported the Associated Press. But "not a single justice agreed. (Read story from The Associated Press).

The case involved Georgia inmate Tony Goodman, who has claimed "that prison officials did not accommodate his disability. Goodman contends he was kept for more than 23 hours a day in a cell so narrow he could not turn his wheelchair."

See also these stories:

Limited U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Revives Disabled Inmate's Claim (Law.com)

High Court Rules Disabled Prisoner Can Sue State (New York Times)

Related:

Supremes Question ADA for Prisoners (Ragged Edge Online).

Court Decides US/Goodman v. Georgia (Disability Law Blog)

Posted on January 11, 2006