Case: U.S. v. New Mexico
1:89-cv-01165 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
Filed Date: Oct. 27, 1989
Closed Date: 1997
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
On January 21, 1987, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), notified the State of New Mexico, of its intent to investigate, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, allegations of unconstitutional conditions at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, Los Lunas, New Mexico. Following its investigation, the DOJ issued its findings letter on September 12, 1988. The findings letter detailed the unconstitutional conditions revealed by the investigation, which included Los Lunas' failure (1) to provide minimally adequate training programs sufficient to ensure that residents were free from undue bodily and chemical restraints, (2) to provide minimally adequate medical staff and medical care and (3) to provide minimally adequate resident supervision to protect residents from unreasonable risks to their health and safety.
On October 27 . 1989, the DOJ filed a lawsuit pursuant to CRIPA in United States District Court for the District of New Mexico regarding the conditions at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, Los Lunas, New Mexico. The case was settled shortly thereafter. A formal Settlement Agreement was signed and entered as a formal order of the District Court on February 1, 1988. The Agreement called for implementation of various reforms at Los Lunas. The implementation period followed with the parties filing quarterly compliance reports thereafter until 1997.
On September 22, 1997, the District Court (Judge James A. Parker) granted the parties' joint motion to terminate consent decree and dismiss case.
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (4/17/2007)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9088226/parties/united-states-v-new-mexico-state-of/
Deerinwater, Verlin Hughes (District of Columbia)
Dennis, Edward S.G. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Cerf, Christopher (District of Columbia)
Coppin, Chris (New Mexico)
Coskey, Susan (District of Columbia)
Deerinwater, Verlin Hughes (District of Columbia)
Dennis, Edward S.G. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Katz, Cynthia L. (District of Columbia)
Nelson, Mellie H. (District of Columbia)
Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Reynolds, William Bradford (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9088226/united-states-v-new-mexico-state-of/
Last updated March 18, 2026, 5:28 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Intellectual Disability (Facility)
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 27, 1989
Closing Date: 1997
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
Los Lunas Hospital and Training School
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Other Dockets:
District of New Mexico 1:89-cv-01165
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1989 - 1997
Issues
General/Misc.:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Disability and Disability Rights:
Intellectual/developmental disability, unspecified
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health Care:
Case Summary of U.S. v. New Mexico, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/474/ (last updated 4/17/2007).