.......about this one!
Folsom inmate wins suit against prison
By Denny Walsh -
dwalsh@sacbee.com
Published 10:58 am PST Saturday, November 10, 2007
A federal court jury has awarded an inmate $39,000 in punitive damages after determining that his constitutional right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment was violated when he was deprived of outdoor exercise during four extended lockdowns at a state prison in Folsom.
The jury directed six high-ranking current and former corrections officials to pay Gregory Lynn Norwood $39,000 in punitive damages, which are meant to punish and make an example of defendants and to deter others from similar conduct.
The jury of seven women and one man deliberated nine hours and returned its verdict Thursday.
At the heart of Norwood's civil rights lawsuit were the four lockdowns at the facility where he was housed at California State Prison, Sacramento - also known as New Folsom - in 2002 and 2003. The lockdowns stemmed from separate prisoner attacks on staff.
Norwood, 46, who is doing life without parole on first degree murder and second degree robbery convictions, claimed the lockdowns deprived him of outdoor exercise, resulting in stress, anxiety, depression, headaches and muscle cramps.
He contended the lockdowns were needlessly prolonged, ostensibly for security reasons, but actually as punishment and retaliation.
What a bunch of BS! Fricken juries!
jdog