PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTIONAL LAW PROJECT

THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTIONAL LAW PROJECT PROTECTS AND ADVANCES THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND LEGAL ADVICE. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024, PILP HANDLED 933 CASES FOR ELIGIBLE CLIENTS. PILP UPDATED ITS MISSION STATEMENT IN 2024 TO REFLECT PILP'S CURRENT WORK IN SEEKING TO ENSURE HUMANE CONDITIONS FOR INCARCERATED AND DETAINED PEOPLE IN PENNSYLVANIA.THIS PAST YEAR, PILP WAS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING JUSTICE AND RELIEF FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE THROUGH MEANINGFUL SETTLEMENTS. PILP ALSO OBTAINED A SETTLEMENT FOR: (1) TWO SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL MEN WHO HAD BEEN HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR PROLONGED PERIODS DESPITE HAVING SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, WHICH WAS EXACERBATED BY THE SEVERELY RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS; (2) A MAN WHO WAS DOING WELL IN RECOVERY FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER IN A METHADONE PROGRAM, BUT WAS FORCED TO UNDERGO PAINFUL WITHDRAWAL AND AN INCREASED RISK OF OVERDOSE WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED AND PLACED IN A COUNTY JAIL THAT HAD A BLANKET POLICY PROHIBITING THE CONTINUATION OF MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER; (3) THREE BLACK WOMEN IN A COUNTY JAIL WHO HAD ALL BEEN BRUTALLY ASSAULTED BY THE SAME WHITE SARGENT; (4) A MAN WHO SUFFERED FROM THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE BY PRISON GUARDS, INCLUDING BEING PEPPER SPRAYED IN THE FACE; AND (5) A WOMAN WHO WAS SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A PRISON GUARD.PILP HAD SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT IT CONTINUED TO WORK ON, IN INCLUDING A STORYTELLING PROJECT, TO FEATURE THE EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION AND OPIOID USE DISORDER. PILP IS WORKING ON INCREASING ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE NEEDING ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE IN COUNTY JAILS IN THE NORTHEAST AREA OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITH A DISABILITY JUSTICE LENS. PILP ALSO HAS HONED IN ON SEEKING TO ELIMINATE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT THROUGH SEVERAL CLASS ACTION AND INDIVIDUAL CASES.IN MONITORING COUNTY JAILS, PILP AND ITS LEGAL PARTNERS FILED A MOTION FOR CONTEMPT IN ITS CLASS ACTION AGAINST THE PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF PRISONS. THE DIRE STAFFING RATIOS HAS CAUSED VISIBLE TRAUMA TO THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED THERE, DELAYS IN ACCESSING MEDICAL CARE, INCREASED USE OF FORCE AND VIOLENCE, MANY HOURS WHERE PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THEIR CELLS, DIRTY UNSANITARY CONDITIONS, AND MORE.PILP CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE, SUE, AND LITIGATE ON BEHALF OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS, WHETHER THEY WERE ASSAULTED, SEXUALLY ABUSED, OR SUBJECTED TO THE LACK OF MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE, PUNITIVE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CONDITIONS, OR DENIED RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS.