Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Voulentters

A man suffering from Hepatitis C, a curable disease, now has irreversible liver damage with incurable cirrhosis because the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) allegedly did not give him the treatment he needed to take care of the Hepatitis C. He believes NDOC failed to provide him with any “one of the many commercially available drugs” to cure his Hepatitis C despite knowing that not doing so would cause serious risk to his health. As a result, he filed a 42 U.S.C. 1983 complaint alleging violations of the Eighth Amendment. His complaint claims “Defendants—doctors and administrators at High Desert State Prison—violated his rights through deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs.” This inmate is seeking representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

David, an inmate High Desert State Prison, alleges he developed Hepatitis C symptoms that required prompt medical attention and treatment but Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) denied such treatment due to NDOC protocol. He alleges that NDOC employees were aware of his symptoms and the need for care because he filed kites and grievances, yet they did not provide care. As a result, he filed a civil rights federal law suit alleging deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. At the time of filing his complaint in March 2021, he still had not received treatment. He is seeking legal representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Jeremy, an inmate at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, NV, was allegedly assaulted by known members of a prison gang. While being transported for a court hearing, the inmate requested to use the restroom while at the courthouse and was sent into a general population holding cell to use the restroom despite being in protective custody status. He was attacked by other inmates when he entered the holding cell and they allegedly smashed his head into the wall causing long-term damage to one eye that is progressively getting worse and may be permanent. As a result, he alleges prison staff did not protect him during transport despite their knowledge of his protective custody status. He filed a grievance and went through the grievance process but the grievance was denied. As a result, he filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court claiming deliberate indifference and is seeking declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and monetary damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and U.S.C. § 1915A. He would like an attorney to assist him in this matter through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Despite having multiple neurological disorders, Wayne, an inmate in the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections (“NDOC”), was allegedly taken off all off-formulary medications in June 2017 to reduce costs. He had tried the on-formulary medications previously but they did not help his conditions. Despite this, the prison psychiatric nurse refused to follow his treatment plan and followed the NDOC policies, which left him without various medications or with ineffective medications for months at a time. He filed multiple grievances and sent kites and letters to the Defendants. He then filed a civil rights complaints pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in two different cases alleging deliberate indifference in violation of the Eighth Amendment, which were merged in the interest of judicial economy. He had an attorney previously, but the attorney withdrew and he is seeking a new attorney through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

A 65-year-old double amputee currently incarcerated at Northern Nevada Correctional Center filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference after his right leg was improperly amputated and adequate follow up care was not provided after the surgery. Lack of post-operative care included the refusal to allow him to bathe or shower and refusal to change urine-soaked clothing or medical dressings. This lack of care resulted in significant pain and suffering from onset of multiple infections. He also alleges he had a significant stroke and did not receive the proper after care. As a result, he currently suffers from facial paralysis as well as limited mobility of his arms and hands. He has difficulty performing daily activities and currently relies on other inmates to assist him in eating, bathing and dressing. Despite extreme difficulty maneuvering around the facility using a manual wheelchair, he alleges he has been denied access to a motorized one. Since other inmates are not always available to assist, he alleges he often sits in soiled clothing for long periods of time. He is seeking monetary and injunctive relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A and would like an attorney to represent him through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Hearing(S): Telephonic Case Management Conference on 7/11/22 at 10:00 am. 

Kenneth, an inmate at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, suffered a series of strokes while incarcerated at Nevada Department of Corrections and alleges that he has been denied pain management and adequate follow-up care. He also alleges he smelled alcohol when he approached the doctor inside the facility and the doctor then threatened him. He filed a grievance and claimed retribution for accusations against the doctor for drinking at work. He filed a federal civil rights suit and seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief. He would like an attorney to assist him with his case through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

An inmate at High Desert State Prison filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2018 against multiple defendants for treatment he allegedly endured as a pretrial detainee in Clark County Detention Center (CCDC). He was booked into CCDC on July 26, 2016 and, at the time of the booking, he needed additional mobility assistance because of a past gunshot injury to the head and arm that caused back pain, knee problems, and the use of a cane and knee braces on occasion. Initially, he was given additional assistance and the option of a wheelchair, but then the booking officer allegedly yelled at him for not moving fast enough. The officer allegedly stood between his legs and yelled at him, and he could not rise without assistance to put on his pants as ordered. He asked for assistance and the officer allegedly grabbed him by the neck in a chokehold and tried to pull him to his feet. He heard a loud pop and instant pain in his spine. He yelled and started crying and, after 5-7 seconds, the officer dropped him. He told him he did not deserve the treatment he was receiving and the officer allegedly grabbed his wrist and bent it back, then put another arm around his neck. He lost consciousness and claimed he could not breath or hear. He was eventually escorted to a holding cell but was not seen by a doctor for over a month. He had a pro bono attorney until July 2022 when the attorney had to withdraw because of a conflict. As a result, this individual is in need of an attorney to assist him through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Anthony is an inmate at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) under chronic care for injuries to his back, knees, and feet, as well as nerve issues. On January 2, 2017, he informed medical staff at HDSP of issues with his feet and sought authorization for “shoes with greater support and comfort”. They scheduled him for an evaluation. He continued to submit medical requests for supportive shoes and, eventually the doctor prescribed him specific shoes in July 2017. As of October 19, 2021, he still had not been provided the shoes despite multiple requests. While waiting to see the doctor for supportive shoes, his back spasmed in February 2017 and he states he could barely move. He requested assistance and was placed on “nurse sick call.” He sent another request two months later because the pain was still present and he was told he was on the provider’s visit list. He saw the provider two months later and the doctor prescribed medication that he alleges was a placebo and did not address the pain. After his appointment, he requested a lower bunk and tier, an extra or better mattress, and a back brace in addition to authorization for personal shoes. While waiting for approval to move to a bottom bunk, he had another back spasm and he fell while climbing to the top bunk in his cell. He sustained injuries to his shin and he was put on the provider list for this injury. He was moved to a lower bunk on September 20, 2017, but still remained in the upper tier. On October 26, 2017, he slipped and fell down the stairs while exiting the upper tier and injured his shoulder and back. He submitted a kite for medical care and did not receive a response. He submitted another kite on December 14, 2017 and he was told he would receive a check-up, but he had not been seen as of October 19, 2021. He filed multiple grievances for his shoes and lack of medical care and, on October 19, 2021, he filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against multiple defendants for the lack of medical care and deliberate indifference and seeks monetary, injunctive, and declaratory relief. He would like an attorney through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Carlos, an inmate at Lovelock Correctional Center filed a civil rights complaint seeking to obtain declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief to redress the injuries and damages suffered as a direct or proximate result of conduct of DOC employees. Plaintiff claims he was improperly designated a Sureno gang member at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) and denied an STG due process hearing regarding his improper validation. Plaintiff claims he is not affiliated with any gang and has received threats due to his denial of being a member of the Sureno gang. There was testimony at sentencing from a Las Vegas Police Officer that he was not a gang member and a ruling by the sentencing judge that he was not a gang member and thus not subject to the gang enhancement, which he shared with the case worker and institutional investigator, but he claims they did not care. He filed an informal grievance challenging the designation of gang member and denial of a due process hearing and, a week later, was placed in administrative segregation. While he was housed in administrative segregation at HDSP, he was allowed to access the yard for outdoor exercise only in a 10 x 10-foot cage for five-to-seven-hour stretches. The temperatures often exceeded 100 degrees, but the cages didn’t have any shade or water fountains. The cages also lacked urinals and toilets, and prisoners were not provided bathroom breaks. As a result, the cages were “encrusted with human feces and urine.” He was required to eat lunch in the cage. The cages were placed side-by-side, which allowed gang members to verbally harass him. He eventually declined yard time because of these conditions. He also did not have access to tier time, the gym, the library, jobs, or programs. He was permitted to shower once every three days. He was permitted only two phone calls and one hour-long, no-contact visit per week. He was permitted to spend only $50 per week in the canteen and limited to hygiene, writing, and correspondence items. He was not permitted to participate in the food and clothing package programs. He also endured 24-hour lockdowns because gang members kept threatening his life. He is seeking representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Second Amended Complaint due 10/10/22.  

Daine, an inmate at Warm Springs Correctional Center, alleges he was injured in pre-trial detention at Clark County Detention Center (CCDC) and has not received the proper medical care while in custody. He alleges he was assaulted during a pat down search in CCDC. He also asserts CCDC officers used excessive force by folding his arms behind his back and twisting his wrist toward his shoulders, then forcing him into a restraint chair and holding him by his throat while another officer tightened the straps of the chair. He alleges his wrist and thumb went numb and he suffered a wrist fracture that requires surgery he has not had yet. Because of the lack of medical care, he believes his wrist is now deformed and requires additional care. As a result, he filed a civil rights lawsuit and is in need of an attorney to assist him in this case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due 11/22/2022. 

An inmate in Ely State Prison is a transgender female incarcerated in a male prison. She alleges she has been denied the hormone therapy prescribed by her doctor while in the prison. In addition, she alleges that, despite her requests not to be housed with a specific prisoner whom she believed would rape her, Defendants placed her in a cell with that prisoner and he raped her. She filed grievances and then a civil rights lawsuit alleging failure to protect her from prisoner violence and deliberate indifference to medical need. She is in need of an attorney to assist her in this case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Virtual Status Conference on 11/18/2022 at 09:00 AM in Reno Courtroom 1 before Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin.