Rikers Island strip-searched win
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2010, Wednesday
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TWO women who claimed they were forced to undergo gynecological exams and thousands of men and women who said they were strip-searched in New York City jails have settled a class-action lawsuit with the city for US$33 million.
The suit was filed on behalf of people arrested on misdemeanor drug and weapons charges and strip-searched at Rikers Island and other jails. Other charges included jumping turnstiles, failing to pay child support, shoplifting and trespassing.
"We hope in some small way these damage awards will stand for some semblance of justice for these victims," said Richard D. Emery, lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
Under the agreement, victims can receive between US$1,800 and US$2,900 each, depending on how many people respond. The plaintiffs who claimed they were forced into gynecological exams are entitled to US$20,000 each for their injury and suffering, according to the decision, reached last week and finalized on Monday.
The case included people arrested, but not convicted, between July 15, 1999, and October 4, 2007. The court has already ruled that the practice violated the prisoners' constitutional rights.
David Sanchez, 39, of the Bronx, said he was strip-searched twice at Rikers Island after he was arrested in November 2006 for misdemeanor drug possession.
"It was horrifying," Sanchez recalled at a news conference in Manhattan. "I was humiliated."
About 100,000 pretrial detainees were illegally searched. Mariann Meier Wang, another lawyer for the plaintiffs, said she expected about 15 percent of those illegally searched to file a claim for money.
The suit was filed on behalf of people arrested on misdemeanor drug and weapons charges and strip-searched at Rikers Island and other jails. Other charges included jumping turnstiles, failing to pay child support, shoplifting and trespassing.
"We hope in some small way these damage awards will stand for some semblance of justice for these victims," said Richard D. Emery, lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
Under the agreement, victims can receive between US$1,800 and US$2,900 each, depending on how many people respond. The plaintiffs who claimed they were forced into gynecological exams are entitled to US$20,000 each for their injury and suffering, according to the decision, reached last week and finalized on Monday.
The case included people arrested, but not convicted, between July 15, 1999, and October 4, 2007. The court has already ruled that the practice violated the prisoners' constitutional rights.
David Sanchez, 39, of the Bronx, said he was strip-searched twice at Rikers Island after he was arrested in November 2006 for misdemeanor drug possession.
"It was horrifying," Sanchez recalled at a news conference in Manhattan. "I was humiliated."
About 100,000 pretrial detainees were illegally searched. Mariann Meier Wang, another lawyer for the plaintiffs, said she expected about 15 percent of those illegally searched to file a claim for money.
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