Opinion ID: 565198
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cheshire County

Text: 20 Liability of the county is based on two theories: its failure to train corrections personnel in adequate screening techniques to identify potentially suicidal detainees, and the inadequate design, construction and maintenance of the House of Corrections. In order for municipal liability to attach under Sec. 1983 a plaintiff must show that a policy or custom caused the alleged constitutional deprivation. Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 690, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 2035, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978). The plaintiff must show that the municipality made a deliberate choice to follow a course of action ... made from among various alternatives by the official or officials responsible for establishing final policy with respect to the subject matter in question. Pembaur v. Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483-84, 106 S.Ct. 1292, 1300, 89 L.Ed.2d 452 (1986). The asserted policy must have been so well-settled and widespread that the policymaking officials of the municipality can be said to have either actual or constructive knowledge of it yet did nothing to end the practice. Bordanaro v. McLeod, 871 F.2d 1151, 1156 (1st Cir.), cert. denied sub nom. City of Everett v. Bordanaro, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 75, 107 L.Ed.2d 42 (1989). A municipality cannot be held for respondeat superior or vicarious liability; the municipality itself must cause the violation. City of Canton, Ohio v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 385, 109 S.Ct. 1197, 1203, 103 L.Ed.2d 412 (1989); Santiago v. Fenton, 891 F.2d 373, 381 (1st Cir.1989). 21 We agree with the district court that the evidence is insufficient to create a triable issue of fact as to whether the county had a policy amounting to deliberate indifference to potential suicides among its inmate population, whether implemented by inadequately training its officers, or by maintaining an unsafe jail. See Buffington, 913 F.2d at 123; Burns, 907 F.2d at 239; Santiago, 891 F.2d at 381-82; Danese, 875 F.2d at 1245; Molton v. City of Cleveland, 839 F.2d 240, 246 (6th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1068, 109 S.Ct. 1345, 103 L.Ed.2d 814 (1990). Summary judgment for the county was appropriate.