An Analysis of Finding Letters in Jail CRIPA Cases: 1997-2014

• In Event: Legal and Policy Issues in Corrections

Abstract

The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and file suit against local jail facilities for the unconstitutional conditions of individuals in their care. Investigating the allegations and providing local officials a Finding Letter are the first steps in a CRIPA action and determine what remedial action must be taken to avoid a federal lawsuit. This study analyzes Finding Letters in jail CRIPA cases for the years 1997 through 2014 to improve our understanding of the prevalence, content and correlates of civil right violations in jails. The analysis revealed a high incidence of certain constitutional violations, longitudinal trends, and facility characteristics associated with CRIPA action.

Authors

• Jeff Mellow, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Mijin Kim, CUNY Graduate Center / John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Bryce Elling Peterson, Urban Institute