Edwards v. Hooks et al.

Rights Behind Bars, along with the UNC School of Law Clinic, Tycko & Zavareei, and Crowell & Morning, filed a claim in which we highlight defendants’ willful disregard for Ms. Edwards’s medical/mental health needs. By denying her medically necessitated prescriptions for mental health care and subjecting her to the anguish and pain of restraints when she posed no security risk, defendants exposed Ms. Edwards to risk of harm and injury, violating her Eighth Amendment rights, along with the Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts. With approximately 100 pregnant people giving birth whilst in North Carolina’s custody, Ms. Edwards, RBB and co-counsel seek to end the shackling of incarcerated people who are pregnant, in labor, or in the post-partum period, and the award of compensatory and punitive damages. Read the complaint here.