U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division

mshington, D.C. 20035

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

Februarv S. 1995

The Honorable "illiair. E. Ward
Mayor, City of Chesapeake
Office of the Mayor
City Hall, 306 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia' 23320
Dear Mayor Ward:
I am v/riting to inform you of our intention to investigate
conditions at the Chesapeake City Jail (CCJ) in Chesapeake,
Virginia. This investigation is authorized and will be conducted
pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42
U.S.C. Section 1997 et seq.
The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether
there exist any violations of the federal constitutional rights
of inmates housed at this facility. The investigation will focus
on, but not be limited to, allegations that inmates confined at
CCJ are being subjected to unsafe and life-threatening living
conditions as a result of overcrowding, inadequate staffing, lack
of protection from harm and inadequate medical care.
We would like to initiate this investigation as soon as
possible. In that regard, staff attorneys from ny office v:ill
contact your staff within the next week to arrange a meeting
between attorneys and representatives of your office, followed by
a tour of the Chesapeake City Jail by our consultants and
personnel from the United States Department of Justice, Civil
Rights Division. The attorney assigned to this matter is
Shanetta Brown ((202) 514-0195).

CR PA Investigation

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JC-VA-002-001

- 2 I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincere

Deval L. Patrick
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
cc:

Mr. Janes W. Rein
Chesapeake City Manager
Ronald S. Hallman, Esquire
Chesapeake City Attorney
Mr. John R. Newhart
Sheriff, Chesapeake City Jail
Helen F. Fahey, Esquire
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Virginia