Opinion ID: 525636
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Health and Living Conditions

Text: 39 Plaintiffs also assert several claims regarding their health. First, they argue that the cafeteria and the food were infested with hair, roaches, worms and rodents as often as every day or so. Affidavit of Hamilton-El at 3; Affidavit of Hill-El at 3; Affidavit of Johnson-El at 3. They observed mice where the food trays were and noticed that workers did not wear gloves or hair nets. Id. Food was often passed to each tier through chuck holes which were filthy and served as passage ways for many items, some unsanitary. A City health inspection of the kitchen conducted less than a month before the first of the plaintiffs was confined reveals continuing problems with food handling and storage, cleanliness and sewage in the kitchen. Inspection Report, Jan. 9, 1985 (Exhibit No. 2, Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Second Motion for Summary Judgment). An inspection made more than a month later, and after the relevant time period had commenced, revealed minimal improvement. Inspection Report, Feb. 12, 1985. The June report reveals some improvement in food handling, but continuing violations for all other problems, including the lack of hair restraints and clean clothes for the workers. Inspection Report, June 21, 1985. 40 Next, the plaintiffs allege that attempts to control the infestation of the Jail also adversely affected their health. According to the plaintiffs, the Jail sprayed pesticides in the public areas twice a month. While the sprayers wore masks and protective clothing, the inmates were confined in their cells and had to breathe the fumes. Affidavit of Hamilton-El at 3; Affidavit of Hill-El at 3; Affidavit of Johnson-El at 2. When asked which chemicals were used, the City refused to answer, responding that the information was irrelevant and would not lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Defendant City of St. Louis' Response to Plaintiffs' Interrogatories at 20. 41 In addition, the plaintiffs complain generally of the sanitation in the living areas. They also allege that the lighting is so bad that they cannot read. Affidavit of Hill-El at 4; in this regard, see Martino v. Carey, 563 F.Supp. 984, 999 (D.Oregon 1983). During the confinement of the plaintiffs, the City itself realized that some sanitation problems at the Jail had reached the emergency stage. See The City Journal at 2, April 2, 1985 (Exhibit No. 2, Opposition to Second Motion for Summary Judgment). 42 Plaintiffs also allege that their medical care was inadequate. All parties agree that sick call was available only once a week. The City's answer to one of the plaintiffs' interrogatories suggests that medical attention outside of sick call was left to the discretion of the guards. Response to Interrogatories at 21. Specifically, David Hill-El alleges that he was not able to get examinations upon request; he had to file a grievance in order to see a doctor. He alleges that he suffered from pain and problems caused by an auto accident and by a bullet that remained lodged in his head. Yet, when he was able to receive attention, medical records were either not kept or not used to assist in treatment. Affidavit of Hill-El at 3. The other plaintiffs make similar complaints. See, e.g. Affidavit of Hamilton-El at 304 (pain and suffering including inadequate dental care). Tyrone Johnson-El alleges that he suffered from asthma, migraines and a head wound. His complaints were screened by PAs who alternatively told him that nothing was wrong with him or promised him that he would see a doctor. 7 When he was allowed to see a doctor, he alleges that he had to wait two weeks and sometimes a month before the visit. Johnson-El's Answers to Defendant City of St. Louis' Interrogatories at 6-9. 43 These allegations state violations of clearly established rights. Counsel for the City conceded at oral argument that plaintiffs' sanitation and medical care claims stated the clearest violations. There is no dispute, for example, that kitchen sanitation must be maintained and that workers must observe personal hygiene, including the use of gloves and hair nets. Heitman v. Gabriel, 524 F.Supp. 622, 627 (W.D.Mo.1981). What may be novel about this case is that one of the steps the City has taken to combat facility-wide rodent infestation is also alleged to cause health problems. 44 Other cases dealing with the spraying of noxious fumes have concerned the use of tear gas or mace to quell disturbances. In many cases, absent shocking circumstances, the need for order has outweighed many health claims. See, e.g., 51 A.L.R.3d 111, 152-56 (collecting cases). Here, too, there is good reason to allow Jail officials both the opportunity to combat the dilemma and some deference to their choice of means. It is clearly etsablished, however, that prison officials may not be deliberately indifferent to a prisoner's health. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104, 97 S.Ct. 285, 291, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976), reh'g denied, 429 U.S. 1066, 97 S.Ct. 798, 50 L.Ed.2d 785 (1977); Toombs v. Bell, 798 F.2d 297, 298 (8th Cir.1986); Kelsey v. Ewing, 652 F.2d 4 (8th Cir.1981). 8 For this reason, dismissing this allegation on qualified immunity grounds would be inappropriate. For without disclosure by the City of what chemicals were used, we cannot say that plaintiffs would not be able to show that the defendants acted indifferently. 45 The plaintiffs' complaints regarding the delay in the availability of medical services and the failure to maintain records are more common. Delay in the provision of treatment or in providing examinations can violate inmates' rights when the inmates' ailments are medically serious or painful in nature. Toombs; Heitman, 524 F.Supp. at 627; Ramos v. Lamm, 485 F.Supp. 122, 158 (D.Colo.1980), aff'd in part, rev'd on other grounds, 639 F.2d 559 (10th Cir.1980), cert. den., 450 U.S. 1041, 101 S.Ct. 1759, 68 L.Ed.2d 239 (1981); Todaro v. Ward, 431 F.Supp. 1129, 1132-33 (S.D.N.Y.), aff'd, 565 F.2d 48 (2nd Cir.1977). The defendants may be liable for failing to train the guards to screen the detainees' medical complaints. City of Canton v. Harris, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 1197, 103 L.Ed.2d 412 (1989) Patzner v. Burkett, 779 F.2d 1363, 1367 (8th Cir.1985). The keeping of medical records is also a necessity. Hutchings v. Corum, 501 F.Supp. 1276, 1288, 1297 (W.D.Mo.1980). Once again, plaintiffs' allegations are sufficient to state violations of clearly established rights. Reasonable officials should know that certain rudiments of medical service must be maintained.CONCLUSION 46 We believe that the magistrate was correct in declining to dismiss this case. These motions were commenced at an early stage of the litigation, before important discovery could be conducted. The allegations are specific and find some support even outside the plaintiffs' affidavits. They are not the bare accusations of malice which troubled the Court in Harlow. The defendants may bring more refined motions for summary judgment after cooperative discovery is further along. At that time, the magistrate will have to carefully analyze each claim in assessing the sufficiency of the plaintiffs' case. 9 Accordingly, the order denying defendants' motion is affirmed, except that summary judgment is granted to Mayor Schoemehl in his individual capacity.