Supreme Court Update
Supreme Court Rules Disabled Inmates Can Sue State
In a significant case, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Jan. 10, 2006 that states can be sued for damages by disabled inmates. In resolving the first clash over states' rights under Chief Justice John Roberts, the court said that Georgia inmate Tony Goodman could use a federal disabilities law to sue to claim that prison officials did not accommodate his disability.
In United States v Georgia, No 14-1203, Goodman contends he was kept for more than 23 hours a day in a cell so narrow he could not turn his wheelchair. His case had become the latest test of the scope of the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a law meant to ensure equal treatment for the disabled in many areas of life.
Previously, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the law protects people in state prisons and the follow-up case asked whether individual prisoners have recourse in the courts.
Not a single justice agreed with the state of Georgia's argument that states should be immune from inmate lawsuits brought under the law.
Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the court, said that states could be sued under ADA for constitutional rights violations. To read the full decision, go to 2005 Term Opinions of the Court 
(www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05slipopinion.html)
Source: Goodwill of Greater Washington
