Imprisoned Citizens Union v. Shapp

OPINION

JOSEPH S. LORD, III, Chief Judge.

I

On November 4, 1970 this § 1983 action was commenced by twenty-one plaintiffs confined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in six correctional institutions. The complaint alleged that certain of defendants’ practices, regulations and omissions violated plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. On October 20, 1972 I certified a class consisting of the named plaintiffs and “all other persons who are now or will be incarcerated in the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institutions . . ..”

Settlement negotiations were begun after definition of the class. Nearly four…