7th Cir. Affirms Lack of Immunity for Jailers Sued Over Air Quality

CHICAGO - Citing other circuit courts and a U.S. Supreme Court holding that prisoners have a right to adequate ventilation, the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected jailers' bid for qualified immunity from claims by former prisoners of mold and other ventilation system hazards. Board v. Farnham, et al., No. 03-2628, 7th Cir.).

The case involves several claims by Herbert and Jerome Board and three other plaintiffs over conditions at the Edgar County (Ill.) jail. The Board brothers spent 126 days in jail in 2000 before being acquitted of a murder that took place in 1984.

Upon …