California Prison Program Discriminates Against Men, Lawsuit Says

Providing people with equal opportunity is something we believe in strongly here in the United States, which is why we have passed state and federal laws that protect a person’s right to fair treatment by the law. On occasion though, actions are taken that violate these rights. And as our more frequent readers know, it’s these violations that can lead to civil lawsuits.

If you’ve been following the news lately, then you know that a violation of civil rights is the very reason why two prisoners from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have filed a lawsuit in federal court. According to reports, the men were denied participation in an alternative prison program that would have allowed them to rejoin their family for the remainder of their sentences. According to the men, their applications were denied because they are men.

For those who don’t know, the Fourteenth Amendment provides U.S. citizens with equal protection under the law. This means that no class of person is treated differently than another class of person. According to the two men suing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state violated their rights by amending the conditions of the alternative prison program to exclude men. They believe this action constitutes discrimination and are seeking relief from the court through a permanent injunction.

Seeking the right legal counsel for your situation

Whether you’re fighting criminal charges or standing up for your civil rights, it’s always a good idea to have the right legal representation at your side. With the help of a good criminal defense lawyer, you increase your chances of understanding the law and presenting the right facts that help your case. With the right representation at your side, you can also rest assured that your legal needs are being handled in accordance with the law as well.

Source: Courthouse News Service, “California Bars Male Inmates From Program,” Nick Cahill, July 17, 2015

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