ACLU Of Alabama Secures Access To Inmates At Fayette County Jail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 11, 2011

MONTGOMERY, AL – Under a settlement agreement reached on April 7 with the Sheriff of Fayette County, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama and its attorneys will no longer be banned from visiting inmates at the Fayette County Jail. The agreement is a result of the ACLU’s March 9 lawsuit against Sherriff Rodney Ingle, which charged that the ACLU of Alabama and its staff were unconstitutionally deprived of their right to consult with inmates at the Fayette County Jail.

The settlement agreement provides that ACLU attorneys will be allowed to consult privately with inmates at the jail in accordance with standard attorney-client visitation procedures. Furthermore, Sheriff Ingle agrees that he and his staff will not interfere with the exchange of mail between the ACLU of Alabama and inmates at the Fayette County Jail. The agreement also provides that jail staff will not discourage inmates from speaking with representatives from the ACLU of Alabama nor will staff retaliate against or threaten inmates who wish to speak with the organization.

“Constitutionally protected communication between attorneys and inmates requires an atmosphere free of interference and intimidation,” said Jared Shepherd, law fellow for the ACLU of Alabama. “We are happy that Sheriff Ingle recognizes the importance of attorney-client visits, and we look forward to cooperating with the staff at the Fayette County Jail.”

“Policies that deny attorney access to inmates, without any legitimate basis, are unconstitutional, and jails must provide inmates with the opportunity to seek legal assistance” said Hank Sherrod, legal counsel for the ACLU of Alabama.

Based on numerous letters from current and former inmates, the ACLU of Alabama has reason to believe that conditions in the Fayette County Jail may constitute a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. The organization is specifically concerned about poor medical care, malnutrition, use of excessive force, and the inadequate monitoring of inmates with mental health issues.

“Since we filed the lawsuit, our office has been flooded with comments and concerns about treatment at the Fayette County Jail,” said Mr. Shepherd. “Now we will be able to respond to these pleas for help and shed some light on the conditions in which inmates are living.”

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