The Prison Litigation Reform Act
The plaintiffs’ first and second attempts to force IDOC to implement the settlement were unsuccessful. Both times, the court held that the defendants should have more time to reach full compliance with the agreement. Then, as plaintiffs were preparing to bring a third motion to enforce the settlement, defendants—for the first time—argued that the settlement agreement was not enforceable at all, citing the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
Under the PLRA, all settlements are divided into two categories: consent decrees and private settlement agreements. Consent decrees are agreements that must specifically address a constitutional violation, and the court retains jurisdiction to enforce the agreement. Meanwhile, in private settlement agreements, the court has no power of enforcement.
We believed we were being creative with our settlement agreement because the plaintiffs, the defendants, and the judge all believed that the settlement was a private settlement agreement. With this, we wouldn’t need a constitutional violation to be found, to which we thought IDOC would never agree.
In 2022, defendants unexpectedly reversed course, and argued that the settlement was not (as everyone had heretofore agreed) a private settlement agreement; rather, it was a consent decree because the court retained jurisdiction. However, defendants argued, since the settlement did not have the required constitutional violation, it also was not enforceable as a consent decree. In other words, it was a settlement which could not be enforced at all.
An Unjust Outcome
After months of briefing and argument, the trial court agreed with IDOC, and found that the settlement was neither a consent decree nor a private settlement agreement. The court thus returned the case to trial. The Impact Fund helped fund updated expert reports, which only confirmed that the system—after more than a decade of litigation—still did not provide meaningful treatment to Illinois prisoners with serious mental illnesses.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content
I have read some excellent stuff here Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how much effort you put to make the sort of excellent informative website
Nice blog here Also your site loads up fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I loved as much as youll receive carried out right here The sketch is tasteful your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike
I have been browsing online more than three hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my view if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before
you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic
Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my opinion if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did the web will be much more useful than ever before
you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job
you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic
Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how can we communicate
Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how can we communicate
I am not sure where youre getting your info but good topic I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission
Wonderful web site Lots of useful info here Im sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And obviously thanks to your effort
Hi my loved one I wish to say that this post is amazing nice written and include approximately all vital infos Id like to peer more posts like this
helloI like your writing very so much proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this space to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look forward to see you
Экономическое развитие Украины сталкивается с множеством препятствий, но также открывает новые возможности для инвесторов и местного бизнеса. Вот ссылка на аналитический отчет, который детально рассматривает текущее экономическое состояние страны и прогнозирует его будущие тенденции
I enjoyed it as much as you will get carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. Nonetheless, you command get an impatience over that you wish to be delivering the following. I’ll unquestionably come more formerly again, since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
It’s like you read my mind. You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book on it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is a fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
Hi, I think that I saw you visited my website, thus I came to return the favor. I am attempting to find things to improve my website. I suppose it’s ok to use some of your ideas.
Cluc.io – Your shortcut to better content.
Create engaging content effortlessly with Cluc.io.
Improve your blog’s SEO ranking with Cluc.io – https://cluc.io.
Cluc.io – https://cluc.io: The tool every content creator needs.
Say goodbye to content creation headaches! Cluc.io is here to make your life easier.
Need fresh content ideas? Cluc.io at https://cluc.io has your back.
Cluc.io – https://cluc.io: Your go-to tool for content excellence.
Say goodbye to content duplication with Cluc.io – https://cluc.io.
I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty You are wonderful Thanks
Make your content creation process smoother with Cluc.io.
Cluc.io – https://cluc.io: Elevating content creation to the next level.
Cluc.io: Your solution for effortless content optimization.