Henderson v. Commissioners of Barnstable

After their loss of good time credits, accrued under G. L. c. 127, § 129, Ernest Henderson and plaintiff Evelyn Murphy’s decedent, William Murphy,3 each of whom had been incarcerated in the Barnstable County jail and house of correction, brought separate actions challenging the procedure by which the defendant county officials had revoked these credits. They sought declaratory relief and damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. A judge of the Superior Court, on cross motions for summary judgment, entered a partial final judgment for each plaintiff under Mass.R.Civ.P. 54(b), 365 Mass. 821 (1974),…