Disability Rights Pennsylvania v. Chester County and Howard Holland

On October 28, 2024, Disability Rights Pennsylvania entered into a settlement agreement (Final Settlement Agreement) with Chester County and Chester County Prison (CCP) regarding the treatment of prisoners with serious mental illness (SMI). The settlement ensures a variety of protections for prisoners with SMI at CCP including: 

• Increased mental health screenings, reviews and treatment,
• Prohibitions against placement in solitary confinement for more than 30 consecutive days, absent extraordinary circumstances,
• A minimum of 20 hours per week of out-of-cell time,
• Increased assessment, observation and support for inmates at risk for suicide,
• Improved conditions and privileges for inmates on suicide watch,
• Limitations on the use of force and restraints,
• Increased training and staffing at the prison, and a comprehensive staffing analysis of the prison,
• Monthly reporting on compliance with the settlement agreement to DRP,
• Appointment of an independent monitor of the prison for 3-5 years based on CCP’s substantial compliance with the agreement.

The lawsuit can be found here. The FAQ fact sheet is available here.

DRP would like to extend a special thank you to our co-counsel in the litigation, Blank Rome, LLP, for their generous donation of staff and resources to help bring this litigation to bear.