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Pennsylvania Sued Over Prisoner Rights
April 9, 2006
The Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy group is suing
the state over its policy to charge copy fees that basically
make it impossible for people to examine public records
regarding the state’s prison population. The group is a
prisoner’s rights group that is concerned with mentally
ill prisoners and their treatment while in custody. They
estimate that as many as 20 percent of the prison population
in the state has some form of mental illness.
The group is a federally funded non-profit organization
founded to investigate instances of abuse in Pennsylvania’s
prison population with any sort of disability. They seek
disclosure about how the inmates with mental illnesses
are being handled and whether or not they receive greater
than average punishments for common infractions. Punishments
such as being placed in solitary or being deprived exercise
may actually increase a person’s mental illness.
The group is suing the state over Pennsylvania’s practice
of charging as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars
to whoever asks for prison or governmental records. The
lawsuit alleges that this practice essentially puts a cap
on what is deemed to be a civil right: the right to examine
governmental practices by anyone. When the group asked
for records regarding 100 prisoners they were told it would
cost them thousands of dollars in copy fees. The group
offered to use their own copying machines but the prison
system responded by saying that outside electronic equipment
was not allowed to be brought in.
The suit is filed against the state and the Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections. While critics, and the DOC,
contend that the laws are already in place and that finding
records is expensive, the lawsuit alleges that its practices
are in effect banning public knowledge of important government
information. Such lawsuits are often necessary in changing
any behavior by governmental organizations, companies,
individuals or non-governmental organizations.
If you are concerned about the rights of yourself or a
loved one who is a prisoner in Pennsylvania contact an
experienced legal team who can help you. Our law office
provides free consultations with any potential case and
we can usually begin working on your case immediately.
Reiff & Bily is a personal injury law firm located in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that has years of experience
dealing with legal cases throughout the state. Our office
can give you a free evaluation on your case and answer
any legal issues that you might have. Any physical harm
to anyone in prison is a serious offense and can be treated
under many different legal guidelines.
If you or someone you love is concerned about your
safety while in prison, contact our
law firm for advice immediately.
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