DETROIT – Officials have outlined five changes the Wayne County Jail must make to better accommodate inmates with disabilities.
After receiving numerous complaints, the United States Attorney’s Office opened an investigation of the Wayne County Jail under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The complaints alleged that Wayne County failed to provide services to inmates with disabilities, including access to prescription medication, mental health services, and medical equipment.
The investigation confirmed several of the complaints and unearthed additional concerns regarding the services, programs, and activities provided in the Wayne County Jail.
“Wayne County has a long and troubled history of providing inadequate services to inmates who have disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “We recognize that Wayne County is transitioning inmates into a new facility. However, a new building does not ensure access to those vital services. This agreement addresses systemic issues that have prevented inmates who have disabilities from equal access to services, programs, and activities while at the Wayne County Jail. Wayne County has fully cooperated with our investigation and this settlement agreement demonstrates our shared commitment to improving services for inmates with disabilities at the Wayne County Jail.”
The United States Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the jail, requiring it to implement the following reforms:
- Procedures to identify inmates who have disabilities when they arrive at the jail.
- Programs that will allow each inmate access to services no matter where they are assigned within the facility.
- Access to physical health, mental health, and dental services for all inmates who have disabilities. This includes treatment for opioid use disorder.
- Programs to ensure the appropriate administration of medication to inmates who have disabilities.
- Revisions to the suicide prevention program.
Wayne County will provide compliance reports to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make sure these changes are made. The agreement will remain for three years, unless Wayne County demonstrates compliance.
Here is a statement from Wayne County Corporation Counsel:
The health, safety, and welfare of all inmates in Wayne County’s custody is our top priority. Since the inception of the Department of Justice investigation in 2018, Wayne County has cooperated and worked collaboratively with the DOJ to put into place policies that ensure the highest standards of medical care to inmates are being met. Many of these polices have been implemented over the last several years and culminated into the agreement with the DOJ. This agreement is a testament to the County’s commitment to providing quality medical care to inmates. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the DOJ and demonstrating our commitment by exceeding the standards that have been set in this agreement.
Wayne County Corporation Counsel