The ACLU of Missouri is thrilled the U.S. District Court has approved our certification for a class-action lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Corrections for its inhumane treatment of inmates in their care with hepatitis C.
“There are likely thousands of people in the Missouri Department of Corrections’ care with hepatitis C who are suffering,” said Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri. “This certification allows us to hold the department accountable for the widespread damage it has caused with its inadequate care.”
In December 2016, the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center (MJC) at St. Louis and the ACLU of Missouri jointly filed a federal class-action lawsuit on behalf of Missourians who are asking for their constitutional and statutory rights to life-saving treatment while in prison.
At least 10 to 15 percent of the population under the supervision, care, and custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections is infected with hepatitis C. The exact number of hepatitis C-positive inmates is unknown because of lack of routine testing.
