Gilbert LLP Works to Protect Mental Health Benefits in Federal Prisons

April 11, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC – In late March, Gilbert LLP filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia against the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”), the Regional Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the BOP, the Warden at United States Penitentiary, Lee (“USP Lee”) and USP Lee medical and psychology staff, alleging that residents at USP Lee are regularly and systemically denied mental health care, including access to medication and therapy.

The class consists of multiple USP Lee residents, and the allegations cover a period of several years.  Gilbert is partnering with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs to represent named Plaintiffs and identified class members.

BOP residents must rely entirely on BOP Health Services and Psychology Services staff to receive proper healthcare, but the named Plaintiffs and class members were taken off their mental health medications shortly after arriving at USP Lee.  For years, USP Lee staff have continuously denied these and other residents’ access to both mental health treatment and mental health professionals, even after their repeated requests for help.  Staff have also repeatedly physically retaliated against residents who seek mental health care.

The lawsuits seek to improve conditions at USP Lee to ensure that everyone incarcerated at the facility is treated with dignity and provided with proper mental health care.

Gilbert LLP’s representation of USP Lee residents is part of its broader pro bono mission to ensure fairness in the criminal justice system.  The firm is also currently working on several post-conviction advocacy cases, including parole representation for D.C. residents and other juvenile resentencing matters.