Post by Logan on Jul 5, 2016 2:01:17 GMT -6
MONTGOMERY — Alabama will make changes at aging state prisons to accommodate inmates with disabilities and settle some of the claims in a broader lawsuit over prison medical care.
The settlement, which was given preliminary approval by a federal judge in June, calls for the state to make improvements at some prisons and make sure disabled inmates access to work and educational programs. The state will first conduct a survey of inmates and prison facilities to determine which inmates have disabilities and what barriers exist for them at prison facilities.
The state has 32 months from the final approval of the settlement to “have completed all architectural barrier removal or remediation or constructed sufficient new facilities to accommodate Inmates with disabilities,” according to the proposed settlement.
“They have to come up with a plan as to how they are going to make the programs accessible for people with disabilities,” Maria Morris, an attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center. “People will not be able to kept out of a programs as a result of their disability,” she said. Morris said prisoners should be able to access education programs, honor dormitories, work release and other areas.
Read more: www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20160704/state-agrees-to-changes-for-disabled-at-state-prisons
The settlement, which was given preliminary approval by a federal judge in June, calls for the state to make improvements at some prisons and make sure disabled inmates access to work and educational programs. The state will first conduct a survey of inmates and prison facilities to determine which inmates have disabilities and what barriers exist for them at prison facilities.
The state has 32 months from the final approval of the settlement to “have completed all architectural barrier removal or remediation or constructed sufficient new facilities to accommodate Inmates with disabilities,” according to the proposed settlement.
“They have to come up with a plan as to how they are going to make the programs accessible for people with disabilities,” Maria Morris, an attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center. “People will not be able to kept out of a programs as a result of their disability,” she said. Morris said prisoners should be able to access education programs, honor dormitories, work release and other areas.
Read more: www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20160704/state-agrees-to-changes-for-disabled-at-state-prisons