Suffolk County agrees to pay out $18 million in court settlement over ‘inhumane’ conditions in county jails
New York’s Suffolk County has finally put an end to a 14-year legal battle by agreeing to pay out $18 million to former inmates who endured squalid living conditions in jail cells infested with rats and roaches for over a decade. The class-action lawsuit accused officials of neglecting the horrifying conditions at the Riverhead and Yaphank facilities, with taxpayers now bearing the financial burden.
The settlement, which was quietly filed in court, includes compensation for anyone incarcerated in the county since 2009, with the original 20 plaintiffs receiving $20,000 each. Inmates housed at the newer Yaphank facility after 2013, however, were excluded from the settlement.
According to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, the $18 million settlement actually saved taxpayers millions by resolving the lawsuit. The agreement also mandates sweeping reforms to improve conditions at the county’s two jail complexes.
Under the settlement, Suffolk County must appoint a dedicated employee to address environmental health concerns at both facilities for at least three years. Additionally, staff and inmates in housing units and kitchen areas will receive training on cleaning and sanitation practices. Inmates will be provided with personal cleaning supplies, protective gear, and clean bedding, while the jails must upgrade ventilation systems and address plumbing, rust, and mold issues.
The county will also implement a comprehensive pest control program and hire an independent expert to conduct annual assessments of the jails for the next three years. These measures aim to address the inhumane and dangerous living conditions that inmates endured, as highlighted in the lawsuit filed by former inmate Rickey Lynch and 19 others from the Riverhead jail.
The lawsuit, which was expanded into a class-action suit with 163 plaintiffs, detailed ongoing exposure to human waste, mold, vermin, freezing temperatures, and inadequate access to clean water. Attorneys from Allen Overy Shearman Sterling and the New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation joined the case to advocate for the inmates’ constitutional rights.
Suffolk County Executive Romaine’s spokesperson, Michael Martino, emphasized that the liability faced by the county stemmed from the prior administration and had the potential to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions. By settling the lawsuit and committing to improving jail conditions, the county has mitigated its financial risk. Approximately $5 million of the settlement will be paid by the county, with the remainder covered by insurance policies.
The settlement represents a significant step towards rectifying the inhumane conditions that inmates endured at Suffolk County jails. It underscores the county’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and dignity of all individuals in its care.
