Young v. County of Contra Costa

In September 2020, the Prison Law Office filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of people incarcerated in Contra Costa County’s jails, claiming that the medical and mental health care provided by the County did not meet the minimum standards required by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Complaint also alleged that people with disabilities did not have equal access to the jail’s programs, services and activities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In February 2021, the Court approved a proposed settlement by the partiesent and remedial plans detailing steps the County would take to improve medical and mental health care. In consultation with the Prison Law Office, the County also worked to implement reforms related to disability services and restrictive housing (also known as solitary confinement).