Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_09-cv-05796/USCOURTS-cand-4_09-cv-05796-61/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING FINAL APPROVAL 

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 1 CASE NO. C 09-05796 CW 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

OAKLAND DIVISION 

TODD ASHKER, et al., 

Plaintiffs,

 v. 

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF 

CALIFORNIA, et al., 

Defendants.

C 09-05796 CW 

[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING 

FINAL APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 

This civil-rights class-action case concerns the California Department of Corrections and 

Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) policies and practices related to gang validation and management and its 

use of segregated housing, including the Security Housing Unit (SHU) at Pelican Bay State 

Prison. Plaintiffs claim that CDCR’s gang validation policies did not provide sufficient due 

process and that confinement in Pelican Bay’s SHU for ten or more years violates the United 

States Constitution. 

The parties have entered into a settlement agreement (Settlement Agreement or Agreement) 

(J. Lobel Decl. Ex. A) that would settle all claims for relief asserted in this case. The Court 

granted preliminary approval of the Agreement on October 14, 2015. (ECF No. 445.) 

Subsequently, Court-approved notice was timely disseminated to the classes. (ECF No. 456.) 

The Court has thoroughly considered all comments and objections filed during the notice period. 

Case 4:09-cv-05796-CW Document 488 Filed 01/26/16 Page 1 of 2
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[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING FINAL APPROVAL 

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 2 CASE NO. C 09-05796 CW 

On January 12, 2016, the parties filed a Joint Motion for Final Approval of Class Action 

Settlement Agreement. The parties’ Joint Motion seeks an order providing that the Court: (1) 

grant final approval of the Settlement Agreement; (2) retain jurisdiction to enforce the 

Agreement; and (3) stay all proceedings pending completion of the Agreement’s terms. On 

January 26, 2016, the Court held a Final Fairness Hearing at which counsel for Plaintiffs and 

Defendants presented argument, and during which the Court considered whether the parties’ 

Agreement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. 

The Court has presided over the proceedings in the above-captioned action and has 

reviewed all the pleadings, records, and papers on file. The Court has reviewed the Joint Motion 

for Final Approval, along with the Settlement Agreement and supporting documents, and has 

considered the parties’ arguments concerning the settlement of this class action. 

Therefore, with good cause appearing, the Court hereby orders as follows: 

1. For the reasons stated in the Joint Motion for Final Approval, the Court finds, under 

Rule 23(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, that: (a) all notice requirements have been 

fulfilled, and that notice was successfully directed in a reasonable manner to class members; and 

(b) the Settlement Agreement is fair, adequate, and reasonable. On that basis, final approval of 

the Settlement Agreement is hereby GRANTED, and the Agreement is incorporated by reference. 

2. The Court finds that, for purposes of settlement only, the Settlement Agreement 

meets the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(1). 

3. The stay of all proceedings in this case is continued pending the completion of the 

terms of the Settlement Agreement. 

4. The Court retains jurisdiction of this matter to enforce the Agreement’s terms. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: __________, 2016 _______________________________________ 

 The Honorable Claudia Wilken 

 United States District Court Judge 

January 26

Case 4:09-cv-05796-CW Document 488 Filed 01/26/16 Page 2 of 2