Kern County has agreed to pay as much as $7 million to former jail inmates who claimed they were strip-searched in front of other inmates or for no reason at the county jail. Thousands of former inmates soon will get notices they could collect part of the settlement. Payments will range from $200 to $2,500 per inmate.
Inmates claim they unnecessarily were searched when they were transported between jail facilities, that they were searched in unsanitary conditions and sometimes were searched in front of inmates of the opposite sex.
The lead plaintiff said even after all charges were dismissed against him, he was taken back to Lerdo where he was processed for release, but not before being strip searched one last time, according to court documents.
Testimony by one detention officer also said searches *were done in groups where other inmates could watch,” according to a Channel 17 report in 2009.
The allegedly improper searches took place before the suit was filed in October, 2007. Jail policies were changed when the suit was filed.
The case was filed in federal court, and was settled out of court Wednesday.
“The settlement covers former inmates who were strip searched after having been ordered released by a court, and those who were strip searched in a group without any privacy,” according to the law firm which represented the inmates.
“The time period covered in the settlement is from March 27, 2005 to October 1, 2007.
“Information on the settlement, a class notice and a claim form will be mailed shortly to those whose names appear in the Kern County Sheriff Department's database.
Additionally, the class notice and claim form will be published in a local newspaper so that everyone can be aware that they may be entitled to money.
Starting on March 16th, the Web site
www.lopezvyoungblood.com will contain information about the settlement.
17 News would like to interview former inmates who are a party to this lawsuit. If you are a party to this lawsuit, please contact reporter Madelyn Janssen at 661-283-1717.
