Souza v. Sheriff of Bristol County

The plaintiffs are inmates at the Bristol County jail and house of correction in Dartmouth. In July, 2002, they *574commenced an action in the Superior Court for declaratory and injunctive relief, raising numerous challenges to the imposition of certain fees on them and other inmates by the defendant, the sheriff of Bristol County (sheriff), pursuant to an “Inmate Financial Responsibility Program” (program).2 The fees include a five dollar per day “cost of care” fee, as well as fees for a number of services, including medical care, haircuts, and general education development (GED) testing. After…