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$2,220,000 Settlement To Missouri Prisoners Formerly Housed In Texas
Over seven hundred Missouri state prisoners, who were formerly housed as
part of a bed-sharing program in Texas prison facilities from January 1,
1995, through December 31, 1997, filed a Federal class action civil rights
complaint regarding conditions of confinement and treatment during
transportation to Texas and while in Texas prison facilities. Upon
agreement of the parties, the case was consolidated in the U.S. District
Court for the Western District of Missouri as a settlement class action.
The proposed settlement agreement included $2,220,000 to be paid into a
Texas Inmate Litigation Settlement Fund. The funds were to be disbursed as
follows: $900,000 for class counsel attorney fees; $300,000 for
administration expenses; and the remaining $1,020,000 to be divided among
2,100 class members who filed claims. Approximately 170 class members
objected to the settlement and the Court appointed counsel to represent
objectors at a fairness hearing.
On January 14, 2000, the Court held that the settlement was fair,
reasonable, and adequate, and awarded $300,000 in costs and administrative
fees to be deducted from the settlement fund and
approved $800,000 in attorney fees to be paid to class counsel from the
settlement fund.
The Court further held that the parties were to submit a joint proposal as
to how class claims will be processed. See: In re Texas Prison Litigation,
Case No. 99 4021 CV C-5 (W.D. MO January 14, 2000.)
part of a bed-sharing program in Texas prison facilities from January 1,
1995, through December 31, 1997, filed a Federal class action civil rights
complaint regarding conditions of confinement and treatment during
transportation to Texas and while in Texas prison facilities. Upon
agreement of the parties, the case was consolidated in the U.S. District
Court for the Western District of Missouri as a settlement class action.
The proposed settlement agreement included $2,220,000 to be paid into a
Texas Inmate Litigation Settlement Fund. The funds were to be disbursed as
follows: $900,000 for class counsel attorney fees; $300,000 for
administration expenses; and the remaining $1,020,000 to be divided among
2,100 class members who filed claims. Approximately 170 class members
objected to the settlement and the Court appointed counsel to represent
objectors at a fairness hearing.
On January 14, 2000, the Court held that the settlement was fair,
reasonable, and adequate, and awarded $300,000 in costs and administrative
fees to be deducted from the settlement fund and
approved $800,000 in attorney fees to be paid to class counsel from the
settlement fund.
The Court further held that the parties were to submit a joint proposal as
to how class claims will be processed. See: In re Texas Prison Litigation,
Case No. 99 4021 CV C-5 (W.D. MO January 14, 2000.)
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Related legal case
In re Texas Prison Litigation
| Year | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Case No. 99 4021 CV C-5 (W.D. MO January 14, 2000. |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 900000 |
| Damages | 1200006 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |