DISRUPTIVE GROUPS 23.1.6
Ruiz v. Estelle, 503 F.Supp. 1265 (S.D. Tex. 1980).
PLAINTIFF: David Ruiz, an inmate of the Texas Department of Corrections as named
plaintiff for a class of plaintiffs in a class action suit against defendant.
DEFENDANT:
W. J. Estelle, Jr., director of the Texas Department of Corrections
and various members of the Department of Corrections
ISSUE:
Whether or not existing prison conditions in the TDC in regards to
overcrowding, use of the building tender system, health care, disciplinary review
procedures, access to courts and fire safety were in violation of the 8th and 14th
Amendments of the Constitution.
FACTS:
The suit began in 1972 when Plaintiff filed suit against the TDC alleging
constitutional violations. His case was later consolidated into a class action along with
the suits of other similarly situated TDC inmates. The evidence at trial was
overwhelming that extreme overcrowding combined with staff deficiencies created an
environment whereby assaults and sexual assaults were rampant. Additionally, the
building tender system, a system in which particular inmates are elevated to a higher
position and assist guards in keeping order, was being utilized. The evidence at trial
demonstrated that those serving under the building tender system were in effect de facto
guards.
HOLDING: Overcrowding, use of the building tender system, health care deficiencies,
ineffective disciplinary review procedures and limitations on access to courts resulted in
an environment at the TDC that constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of
the 8th and 14th Amendments. Specifically, the use of the building tender system as a
substitute for adequately trained staff resulted in abuses of authority and inherent
conflicts among inmates. Further the building tender system existed in direct
contravention to the existing state statute outlawing its use.
CONCLUSION:
With the elimination of the building tender system, an internal
power struggle ensued leading to the proliferation of prison gangs.