Suffolk County Settles Jail Suit with $18M Payout

Suffolk County Settles Jail Suit with $18M Payout

Introduction

Suffolk County has agreed to an $18 million settlement to resolve a long-standing class action lawsuit filed by inmates alleging unsanitary and inhumane conditions at its correctional facilities in Riverhead and Yaphank.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2011, covers individuals incarcerated between April 5, 2009, and the preliminary settlement approval date, excluding those held solely at the new Yaphank facility opened in 2013.

Lawsuit Alleges Inhumane and Unsafe Conditions

The plaintiffs claimed the jails exposed detainees to dangerous and unconstitutional living conditions. These included faulty plumbing, sewage overflows, chronic overcrowding, poor water and air quality, contaminated food, rodent and insect infestations, widespread mold and rust, and dangerously low temperatures. The lawsuit argued these conditions violated the 14th Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Settlement Terms and Structural Reforms

As part of the agreement, Suffolk County must not only pay into the $18 million settlement fund but also commit to repairing and improving the jails. The county is required to appoint a dedicated environmental health officer to address facility concerns at both Riverhead and Yaphank for at least three years. Additionally, the county must fund annual assessments conducted by an independent expert for the same period to monitor progress.

Long Legal Road and Class Certification

U.S. District Court certified the case as a class action in March 2013 after denying Suffolk County’s motion to dismiss. The litigation has spanned over a decade and brought attention to the deteriorating state of county jails. The facilities house both pretrial detainees—those awaiting trial who could not post bail or are held by court order—and sentenced inmates serving terms of up to one year or awaiting transfer to state prisons.

Compensation Details for Affected Inmates

Under the settlement filed on May 19, eligible class members will receive payments based on the number of days they were incarcerated. The fund allocates up to $12 million for per diem payments. Lead plaintiffs may receive up to $20,000 each, while additional plaintiffs designated as leads may receive up to $10,000 each.

Special Injury Awards for Serious Harm

The settlement also includes provisions for additional payments for inmates who suffered serious harm during their incarceration. Plaintiffs or their estates may receive up to $30,000 for cases involving death, dismemberment, or significant ongoing medical issues linked to jail conditions. Those who experienced hospitalization or other temporary but serious medical conditions are eligible for up to $15,000.

Advocates and Plaintiffs Welcome Reforms

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), which supported the case, hailed the agreement as a step toward justice. “This settlement provides much-needed relief to the many incarcerated New Yorkers who have been subject to inhumane and unconstitutional conditions,” said NYCLU attorney Bobby Hodgson. “It also means that the county’s longstanding indifference to this manufactured crisis will finally come to an end.” One plaintiff expressed hope for lasting change: “I’m grateful that no one else will have to endure what I experienced. This is a positive step forward for the people of Suffolk County.”

Ongoing Oversight Promised

The NYCLU emphasized it will monitor the county’s compliance with the settlement terms to ensure that promised reforms are implemented. The case represents one of the most significant efforts in recent years to improve conditions and accountability within a local jail system in New York.