ACLU, Idaho county settle jail lawsuit

BOISE – The ACLU of Idaho and Canyon County officials have reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that jail officials retaliated against inmates who complained about conditions.

Monica Hopkins, the executive director of ACLU-Idaho, told the Idaho Statesman on Friday that the organization is satisfied with the outcome and that jail administrators have responded promptly and dealt appropriately with their concerns.

Canyon County Sheriff Chris Smith and Chief Deputy Gary Deulan continue to deny all allegations in the class-action lawsuit but agreed to take steps including training officers to prevent retaliation against inmates and having a zero-tolerance policy if any retaliation does occur.

It’s the second jail-related lawsuit ACLU-Idaho has brought against Canyon County.

The first, filed in January 2009, alleged that inmates were subjected to inhumane conditions because of chronic jail overcrowding. The county reached an agreement with the ACLU in that case that imposed a cap on the maximum number of inmates at the facility and structural improvements at the jail.

The organization filed the second lawsuit, contending that Deulan ordered an inmate be transferred to a different facility in retaliation for the inmate filing numerous complaints and remaining in contact with the ACLU.

In their formal response to the lawsuit, Deulen and Smith acknowledged the inmate’s complaints and transfer but said the action was not retaliatory. They also denied violating any inmate’s rights.