NYC settles jail strip-search lawsuit for $33M
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit were strip-searched at Rikers Island, above, and other city jails. (March 2009) Credit: Newsday File/Ken Sawchuk
New York City has settled a class-action lawsuit over jail strip searches for $33 million.
The suit was filed on behalf of people arrested on misdemeanor
drug and weapons charges. They were strip-searched at Rikers Island and other city jails. Two plaintiffs said they were forced to undergo gynecological exams.
Under the agreement reached last week, class members can receive between $1,800 and $2,900 each, depending on how many people respond.
The New York City Law department said Monday that the settlement
is the final step in a lengthy process. It said Correction Department procedures were modified in 2007.
The case included people arrested, but not convicted, between
July 15, 1999 and Oct. 4 2007. The court has already ruled that the
practice violated the prisoners’ constitutional rights.
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