Monroe et al v. Rauner et al

Filing 449

ORDER: The Court concludes that the appointment of Dr. Harris as first Co-Monitor shall continue. Six-month review pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3626(f)(5). Signed by Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel on 10/18/2022. (beb)

Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 449 Filed 10/18/22 Page 1 of 2 Page ID #12415

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
JANIAH MONROE, et al.,
individually and on behalf of a class of
similarly situated individuals,
Plaintiffs,
Case No. 3:18-CV-00156-NJR

v.
STEVE MEEKS,
MELVIN HINTON, and
ROB JEFFREYS,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
ROSENSTENGEL, Chief Judge:
This matter is before the Court pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3626(f)(5) for the initial sixmonth review of the appointment of first Co-Monitor Amanda L. Harris, M.D. (Doc. 418).
Harris was charged with monitoring Defendants’ compliance with the court-ordered
injunctive relief regarding hormone therapy, regular blood work and appropriate
titration of doses and/or additional testing/treatment; gender affirming surgery
evaluation, scheduling, and pre- and post-operative care (including monitoring the CQI 1
program and IDOC medical providers’ compliance with WPATH 2 training and
continuing education); and transfers of class members to achieve medically necessary
social transition. (Doc. 370, pp. 7-11; Doc. 384). This has involved review of voluminous
medical records for 195 class members, extensive communication with medical and

1
2

Continuing Quality Improvement.
World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

Page 1 of 2

Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 449 Filed 10/18/22 Page 2 of 2 Page ID #12416

mental health staff employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections, as well as outside
providers, and review of records on transfer requests and outcomes. (Doc. 439, pp. 1-2,
12).
Since her appointment on April 5, 2022, Dr. Harris submitted her initial report to
the Court and parties regarding the above matters (Doc. 439), and the parties have filed
their responses (Docs. 445, 446). Dr. Harris reports that in the areas of hormone therapy
and gender affirming surgery, Defendants are only partially compliant with the Court’s
directives, although progress has been made. In the area of transfers of class members to
the PRISM program and to Logan Correctional Center, she reports Defendants are not in
compliance but notes she was unable to fully assess some matters relating to transfer
procedures and requirements.
Based on the above, the Court concludes that the appointment of Dr. Harris as first
Co-Monitor shall continue. This matter is still in the remedial phase. Dr. Harris’s expertise
is still needed to advise and assist the Court in monitoring Defendants’ compliance with
the Court’s directives in this case, as well as to advise the parties on policies and
procedures that will achieve compliance with constitutional standards of care and
conditions of confinement. This appointment will be reviewed again in another six
months.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: October 18, 2022
____________________________
NANCY J. ROSENSTENGEL
Chief U.S. District Judge
Page 2 of 2