Former Inmate Sues Rhode Island Prison Officials Over Retaliation and Rights Violations

In a landmark lawsuit, Joseph Shepard, a former inmate of the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), is accusing prison officials of violating his constitutional rights by retaliating against him for his complaints about conditions at the facility. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Shepard by the Rhode Island Center for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, seeks unspecified damages and an injunction barring corrections officials from further retaliation.

According to the lawsuit, Shepard was held in segregation for 237 days as a form of punishment for his complaints about conditions at the ACI. The defendants named in the suit include Corrections Director Patricia Coyne-Fague, Associate Director of Classification Services Linda Amado, Investigator Joseph Forgue Jr., and Deputy Warden Rui Diniz.

Shepard is alleging that he was subjected to retaliatory actions by prison officials because of his complaints about conditions at the ACI. He claims that these actions violated his constitutional right to free speech, as well as his right to equal protection under the law and due process.

Specifically, Shepard is accusing the defendants of failing to call a requested witness during a disciplinary hearing, which he believes was a deliberate attempt to deny him a fair trial. He is also claiming that he was treated disproportionately harshly compared to other inmates who had committed similar infractions.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction barring corrections officials from further retaliation against Shepard. The legal action is seen as a major test of the state's commitment to protecting the rights of prisoners and promoting transparency in its correctional facilities.

In light of this case, it is essential for prison officials to recognize that retaliation against inmates who speak out about conditions at their facilities is not only illegal but also undermines trust between correctional authorities and the communities they serve. By allowing such behavior to continue unchecked, the state risks creating a culture of fear and intimidation within its prisons.

The outcome of this lawsuit will have significant implications for prisoners' rights in Rhode Island and beyond. It is crucial that the court takes seriously Shepard's claims and holds prison officials accountable for any wrongdoing. Only by ensuring that prisoners are treated fairly and with respect can we hope to create a more just and humane correctional system.

aci medium security ridoc

Aci medium security ridoc