South Carolina Archives
Series
Description
CALL NUMBER: S 1
32049CREATOR: Central Correctional Institution (S.C.)
TITLE: Complaints filed under the terms of the Nelson vs. Leeke settlement
DATE: 1991-1993
VOLUME: 0.33 cubic ft.
ARRANGEMENT: Series arranged chronologically.
BIOGRAPHICAL/ HISTORICAL NOTE: In 1982 Gary Nelson, an inmate at the Central Correctional Institution (CCI), filed
a class action suit against the Dept. of Corrections. The suit
alleged that the department, system wide, was violating the
Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all in the system at that time and any inmate entering the
system thereafter.
The department and the plaintiff negotiated a settlement agreement in 1985. Under the terms
of the settlement, the department pledged to end overcrowding at medium security institutions by 1988 and at
minimum security facilities by 1990. Although the primary focus was to eliminate overcrowding and inadequate staffing, the agreement
addressed many other issues affecting the operation of the
institutions. The major issues included staff training, health
care services, life and fire safety, and physical plant requirements.
SUMMARY SCOPE NOTE: This series consists of formal inmate complaints, which were filed in accordance with the
terms of the Nelson vs. Leeke settlement agreement. All complaints were initially submitted in writing to the Inmate
Advisory Council. The Council then submitted a copy of the
complaint and its recommended disposition of the matter to
an agency administrator for review. Information includes the
name of the inmate, date the complaint was filed, description of the complaint, recommendation of the Inmate
Advisory Council, and the response of the administrator.
GENERAL NOTE: No files for 1992 are present.
LINKING NOTE: A separate record, entitled Agency history
record, has been written for the Dept. of Corrections describing the functions and history of the agency.
HIERARCHICAL NOTE: Forms part of the records of the Central Correctional Institution of the Dept. of Corrections.