SAN FRANCISCO – An inmate has filed a complaint against the Mule Creek State Prison in Ione for violations of the Americans with Disabilities and Civil Rights acts, alleging he was denied medical treatment and claims that officers “covered up” their abuses.
Rodney Allen Williams filed the lawsuit April 18 against multiple officials at Mule Creek, including several sergeants, nursing and medical staff, correction officers, the associate warden and warden and other officials. Williams is currently an inmate at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo and he seeks damages for pain and suffering, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and injunctive relief.
Williams received notice that his mother had passed away in November of 2016 and alleges that from December to March 2016 he was denied multiple requests to see a psychiatrist.
The complaint alleges Williams expressed suicidal ideation and depression and was put in a suicide watch holding cell. Williams alleges that he complained to officials that the cramped quarters of the Contraband Surveillance Watch cell were causing him pain, but was told they could not help. Williams also claims his knee brace and other medical items were taken after informing officers multiple times that he was part of the ADA.
William claims officers told him an x-ray he was forced to have showed drugs in his body and conducted a body cavity search. Williams states he explained he had no drugs and had not had an incident in 20 years, but was told by an officer that they could do “whatever they want." During his time between the CSW cell, x-ray, and treatment areas, Williams claims the nurse told officers he was “faking” his injuries," and that he was intimidated by police dogs and “verbally attacked” by officers when he told them he did not have any drugs or information.
William states when he received his medical records in 2017, he discovered the x-ray did not show any contraband, nor was there an order for the cavity search. Williams further claims there is no record of his multiple requests for medical and mental health appointments.
Williams claims the officers illegally covered up their abuses and tried to set him up, and alleges he was denied his legal rights as an inmate by being put into solitary confinement without an administrative hearing and denied the ability to speak to the warden, as well as doctors. Williams claims after his transfer to the Men’s Colony in the Mental Health Crisis Unit in 2017 he finally got “comprehensive mental health treatment."
Williams seeks punitive and actual damages, and injunctive relief. Williams calls the Contraband Surveillance Watch process “inhumane” and wants a complete revamp to include help for those with mental health and other issues.
United States District Court Northern District of California, case number 3:18-cv-02431-EDL