Monroe et al v. Rauner et al

Filing 558

ORDER. The Court concludes that the appointment of Dr. Amanda L. 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 4/12/2023. (beb)

Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 558 Filed 04/12/23 Page 1 of 2 Page ID #13317

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.
STEVEN BOWMAN,
MELVIN HINTON, and
LATOYA HUGHES,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
ROSENSTENGEL, Chief Judge:
This matter is before the Court pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3626(f)(5) for the second 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. 711; Doc. 384). This has involved review of voluminous medical records for approximately 195
class members, as well as assisting Defendants to compile an accurate list of inmates who are

1
2

Continuing Quality Improvement.
World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

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Case 3:18-cv-00156-NJR Document 558 Filed 04/12/23 Page 2 of 2 Page ID #13318

in the class, extensive communication with IDOC medical and mental health staff as well as
outside providers, and review of records on transfer requests and outcomes. (Doc. 439, pp. 12, 12).
Since her appointment on April 5, 2022, Dr. Harris submitted two reports to the Court
and parties regarding the above matters (Docs. 439, 502). The parties have responded, and
since January 2023, are conducting regular meetings with the Co-Monitors to address ways
to bring Defendants into compliance with this Court’s Orders. Dr. Harris has reported
improvements in the delivery and monitoring of hormone therapy. However, the provision
of gender affirming surgery even to Plaintiff class members whose treatment has been
approved is moving at a snail’s pace. Defendants remain only partially compliant with the
Court’s directives in this area. Further, questions remain as to the implementation of the
mandate to consider and act upon class members’ transfer requests to the PRISM program
and to Logan Correctional Center.
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: April 12, 2023
____________________________
NANCY J. ROSENSTENGEL
Chief U.S. District Judge

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