20 Nov Colorado Department of Corrections COVID Lawsuit Resolved, Case Against Governor Polis Continues
As lead counsel with the ACLU of Colorado, we resolved a class action lawsuit against Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) alleging failure to protect medically vulnerable people in prison from COVID-19. We asked the Denver District Court to enter an order, called a “consent decree,” that memorializes the terms of the resolution. It requires access to masks and hygiene supplies; prioritizes safe housing for medically vulnerable incarcerated people; improves conditions during COVID-related lockdowns; improves responses to COVID-related complaints; and implements system improvements aimed at increasing efficiency of the parole process. If accepted by the Court, this consent decree will become an enforceable Court Order.
This resolution will hopefully protect thousands of vulnerable people from this deadly virus and comes at a critical time. Although we have resolved the case against the DOC, we also filed an amended complaint alleging that the Governor violates the Colorado Constitution by failing to exercise his powers to safely reduce the prison population in the wake of the pandemic.
As lead counsel with the ACLU of Colorado, we resolved a class action lawsuit against Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) alleging failure to protect medically vulnerable people in prison from COVID-19. We asked the Denver District Court to enter an order, called a “consent decree,” that memorializes the terms of the resolution. It requires access to masks and hygiene supplies; prioritizes safe housing for medically vulnerable incarcerated people; improves conditions during COVID-related lockdowns; improves responses to COVID-related complaints; and implements system improvements aimed at increasing efficiency of the parole process. If accepted by the Court, this consent decree will become an enforceable Court Order.
This resolution will hopefully protect thousands of vulnerable people from this deadly virus and comes at a critical time. Although we have resolved the case against the DOC, we also filed an amended complaint alleging that the Governor violates the Colorado Constitution by failing to exercise his powers to safely reduce the prison population in the wake of the pandemic.