Opinion
Civil Action 2:14cv601-MHT (WO)
08-23-2022
EDWARD BRAGGS, et al., Plaintiffs, v. JOHN HAMM, in his official capacity as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, et al., Defendants.
ORDER ON MEDIATION OF PLANS TO ADDRESS SERIOUS RISK OF HIGH TEMPERATURES IN MENTAL-HEALTH UNITS
MYRON H. THOMPSON, DISTRICT JUDGE
In the Phase 2A Omnibus Remedial Order, the court required the defendants to “devise a plan and procedures to address the serious risk posed by high temperatures in the mental-health units.” Phase 2A Omnibus Remedial Order (Doc. 3464) at § 11.3. The defendants filed a response to the court's order (Doc. 3620), to which the plaintiffs responded (Doc. 3707).
In their filings, the parties expressed disagreement regarding the level of information that the defendants could share at this time. However, at the status conference on August 15, 2022, the parties agreed that mediation would be appropriate. The defendants shared that they “would be happy to have a conversation with the plaintiffs in the context of mediation and share with them in the context of mediation confidential information that they will keep confidential about what transpired.” Aug. 15, 2022, R.D. Status Conference Tr. 64. The plaintiffs agreed that they would like to meet with the defendants to discuss this issue and to “look at the administrative regulations to see if there's anything that could help ... catch issues ... going forward.” Id. at 65.
Accordingly, based on the parties' written filings and representations on the record on August 15, 2022, it is ORDERED that the parties shall pursue mediation with Judge Ott regarding a plan and procedures to address the serious risk posed by high temperatures in mental-health units.
Deadlines related to this matter will be entered later by separate order.
DONE,