Va. deaf inmates’ rights violated, lawsuit contends

A lawsuit has been filed against the Virginia Department of Corrections and other officials alleging that the rights of deaf state prison inmates are being violated.

Among other things, the complaint contends that deaf inmates do not have adequate access to sign-language interpreters, visual notifications of safety announcements, and devices that would allow them to communicate with family and friends outside of the prison.

Officials with the Department of Corrections referred questions to the Virginia attorney general's office, which said it could not comment on pending litigation.

The suit was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria by the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and Winston & Strawn LLP, a Washington law firm.

It alleges the violation of the inmates' constitutional rights, rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act -- a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability -- and other federal and state laws that protect the rights of disabled people.

Deaf inmates are held at Powhatan Correctional Center, a medium-security facility west of Richmond. As a result, deaf inmates cannot transfer to lower-security prisons if they are qualified to do so.

The suit says Powhatan now provides a sign-language interpreter just once a week for six hours to serve at least 15 to 20 deaf inmates. As a result, the suit claims, deaf inmates cannot participate in educational programs, communicate with prison staff and understand medical personnel.

"Deaf individuals incarcerated at Powhatan have also missed safety alerts, including fire alarms, putting them at risk of suffering serious harm if there is a fire or similarly dangerous event," the suit alleges.

Contact Frank Green at (804) 649-6340 or .