Dennis Hope was subjected to multiple violations of the Constitution during his decades of solitary confinement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024
Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org
TEXAS- On Friday, The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) took a significant step in seeking justice for Dennis Hope, an inmate incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The complaint alleges that TDCJ officials subjected Mr. Hope to conditions of solitary confinement and use of excessive force that violated Mr. Hope’s Eighth Amendment right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment, that TDCJ officials retaliated against him for speaking out in violation of his First Amendment Rights, and that TDCJ officials denied him adequate Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process. The complaint also alleges conspiracy under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to retaliate against Mr. Hope and deny him procedural protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Mr. Hope is represented by TCRP as well as Latham & Watkins LLP and Mehaffy Weber, P.C.
According to the complaint, Mr. Hope was confined in isolation for nearly every hour of every day for 27 years. Mr. Hope endured well-established and widely recognized debilitating effects of segregation while in solitary confinement. Mr. Hope alleges mistreatment including:
Mr. Hope was held in solitary confinement even after the State Classification Committee (SCC)—the Committee with the power and responsibility for reviewing housing classifications—found that there was no justification for Mr. Hope’s continued segregation.
When Mr. Hope engaged in protected First Amendment activities, including filing grievances and writing letters to anyone he thought might be able to help or shine a light on his mistreatment, Mr. Hope’s time in segregation was extended indefinitely and he suffered various retaliatory actions.
The defendants consistently, unlawfully, and perfunctorily denied Mr. Hope’s release from solitary until they abruptly changed positions in an attempt to moot Mr. Hope’s certiorari petition to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Once out of solitary, Mr. Hope continued to be singled out and watched more closely than other prisoners, and was subjected to excessive force causing permanent damage to his wrists.
Details of these violations are provided in Mr. Hope’s complaint here.
“Dennis Hope has endured punishment that no one should face – numerous violations of his rights throughout his nearly three decades in solitary confinement. Despite no longer being an escape risk, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has ignored its own judgment and kept him in solitary confinement for years,” said Dustin Rynders (he/him), Legal Director of TCRP. “TDCJ’s failures here must be addressed by the Court, not only for Mr. Hope but also to ensure that other individuals in the custody and care of TDCJ are not subjected to such treatment.”
"Mr. Hope’s treatment by TDCJ was devastating to his mental and physical well-being,” said Molly Petchenik (she/her), Staff Attorney with the Criminal Injustice Program at TCRP. “As his case shows, TDCJ must be held accountable and steps must be taken so no one experiences this cruel punishment.”
This year, TCRP released a report on the crisis of solitary confinement in Texas, addressing concerns such as Mr. Hope’s and broader impacts of prolonged solitary confinement on a person's mental health and well-being. To request an interview with TCRP’s lawyers and experts on criminal injustice issues, contact media@texascivilrightsproject.org for scheduling.
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