On July 13, 1993, a former inmate in North Dakota initiated a lawsuit alleging torture by state prison officials, seeking damages amounting to $1.1 million. The case, which unfolded in a Fargo courtroom, centers on claims made by Eugene Littlewind, who asserts he was subjected to inhumane treatment while incarcerated.
The civil trial began with statements from Don Becker, Littlewind’s attorney, who described the conditions faced by his client in 1988. According to Becker, Littlewind was confined naked in a brightly lit isolation cell for six days, with his hands and feet bound behind him. Becker argued that this treatment constituted torture, stating, “The punishment was extensive, it was intentional, it was a violation of human rights.”
In response, Assistant Attorney General Bill Peterson defended the actions of the prison staff, portraying Littlewind as a dangerous individual who posed a threat after a violent incident involving a prison guard. “The state penitentiary is not a kiddie farm. It’s a serious place to be,” Peterson said, emphasizing that the facility is staffed by “caring, decent people.”
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including the North Dakota Corrections Department, former director of state institutions Richard Rayl, and former warden Terry Haines, among others. Becker emphasized that the aim of the lawsuit extends beyond financial compensation. He stated, “We are seeking punitive damages so this kind of behavior will not be tolerated, not here, not in North Dakota. Maybe in Honduras, maybe in some other places, but not here.”
Littlewind’s actions leading to his confinement stemmed from an incident on April 5, 1988, when he attempted to take a guard hostage alongside three other inmates. Becker explained that the inmates aimed to raise awareness about the conditions within the prison’s administrative segregation unit. He acknowledged the violent nature of the act, noting that the inmates physically restrained the guard while another inmate used a broomstick to threaten him.
Implications of the Case
The trial holds significant implications not only for Littlewind but also for prison reform discussions in North Dakota. If the court finds in favor of Littlewind, it could prompt changes in how corrections officials manage unruly inmates, particularly concerning the controversial practice of hog-tying.
Littlewind declined to speak to the media following the day’s proceedings, leaving the courtroom without providing any comments. The case continues to draw attention to the treatment of inmates within the corrections system, raising serious questions about the ethics of confinement practices and the need for oversight in correctional facilities.
As the trial progresses, it remains a pivotal moment for both Littlewind and the North Dakota prison system, potentially influencing future policies and practices within the state’s correctional facilities.
