People Ex Rel. Department of Corrections v. Fort

Defendant, Hosea Fort, appeals the trial court’s May 2003 permanent injunction, permitting the Department of Corrections (DOC) to force-feed defendant to prevent his death. Defendant argues the State failed to prove a legitimate penological interest was affected by defendant’s hunger strike. We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

On April 18, 2003, the State filed a complaint for injunctive relief and motion for preliminary injunction, seeking an order allowing DOC to use necessary force (1) to monitor defendant’s vital signs, blood chemistries, and heart function, and (2) to force-feed defendant if…