Monroe et al v. Rauner et al

Filing 457

ORDER: The Court concludes that the appointment of julie graham as second Co-Monitor shall continue. Six-month review pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3626(f)(5). Signed by Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel on 11/28/2022. (beb)

Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 457 Filed 11/28/22 Page 1 of 2 Page ID #12529

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 second Co-Monitor julie graham, MFT. (Doc. 423).
Ms. graham was charged with monitoring Defendants’ compliance with the Courtordered injunctive relief regarding gender-affirming prison commissary items,
elimination of cross-gender body searches, implementation of an effective transgender
identification policy, and training of correctional staff on transgender issues and
awareness. (Doc. 370, pp. 11-13; Doc. 384, pp. 3-5, 8-12). Ms. graham’s investigation and
monitoring has involved extensive communication with IDOC officials, phone interviews
with 48 individuals identified as class members at nine of the 19 prisons where class
members are confined, and review of policies and procedures regarding the matters
under her oversight. (Docs. 444, 450).

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Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 457 Filed 11/28/22 Page 2 of 2 Page ID #12530

Since her appointment on May 10, 2022, ms. graham submitted her initial report
to the Court and parties regarding the above matters, noting progress in some areas,
partial compliance by Defendants, and recommendations (Doc. 444); the parties
responded (Docs. 447, 448). On October 20, 2022, ms. graham submitted an additional
report indicating noncompliance with the ordered injunctive relief regarding private
showers, searches, commissary, and staff training (Doc. 450); Defendants responded
(Doc. 454), and Plaintiffs filed a motion for contempt (Doc. 455). A status hearing is
scheduled for December 15, 2022, at which the Court will hear from both Co-Monitors as
well as from the parties. (Doc. 453).
Based on the above, the Court concludes that the appointment of ms. graham as
second Co-Monitor shall continue. This matter is still in the remedial phase. Ms. graham’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: November 28, 2022
____________________________
NANCY J. ROSENSTENGEL
Chief U.S. District Judge

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