Levy v. La. Dep't of Pub. Safety & Corr. & James Leblanc

371 F. Supp. 3d 274
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Louisiana
DecidedMarch 4, 2019
DocketCIVIL ACTION NO. 16-542-JWD-EWD
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 371 F. Supp. 3d 274 (Levy v. La. Dep't of Pub. Safety & Corr. & James Leblanc) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.D. Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Levy v. La. Dep't of Pub. Safety & Corr. & James Leblanc, 371 F. Supp. 3d 274 (M.D. La. 2019).

Opinion

JUDGE JOHN W. deGRAVELLES

This matter comes before the Court on the Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 55) filed by Plaintiffs Lawrence Levy, Cedric Hammond, and Bradley Casto (collectively, the "plaintiffs"). Defendants Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections ("LDPSC") and James LeBlanc (collectively, the "defendants") oppose the motion. (Doc. 61). The plaintiffs have filed a reply brief in support of their motion. (Doc. 64). On January 31, 2019, the Court heard oral argument on the motion. (Docs. 86 & 90). After careful consideration of the parties' arguments, the facts in the record, and the applicable *277law, and for the following reasons, the plaintiffs' motion (Doc. 55) is denied.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Facts

The following facts are undisputed in the record unless otherwise indicated. Plaintiffs Lawrence Levy, Cedric Hammond, and Bradley Casto filed this lawsuit on August 16, 2016, alleging systemic deficiencies in the provision of accommodations for hearing-impaired probationers and parolees by LDPSC; its Secretary, Defendant James LeBlanc; and the LDPSC's Division of Probation and Parole ("DPP"). (Doc. 1). Their complaint alleges that the defendants have failed to provide certain accommodations for hearing-impaired offenders in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("RA"). (Id. at 1-2). Specifically, they allege that the defendants have failed to: provide access to qualified American Sign Language ("ASL") interpreters, inform them of probation or parole requirements, adequately communicate with the plaintiffs, and provide accommodations during required DPP programs. (Id. at 12-15). The plaintiffs are subject to the supervision of DPP either through parole (in the case of Levy and Hammond) or a sentence of probation (Casto). (Id. at 6-9). They are all hearing-impaired and claim that they are only able to communicate effectively through ASL. (Doc. 55-1 at 1; Doc. 55-2 at 1; Doc. 55-3 at 1).

DPP is a division of LDPSC which supervises individuals who have been sentenced to probation or who are on parole after release from prison. (Doc. 55-5 at 7-8; Doc. 55-11 at 2). DPP officers meet with probationers and parolees at their homes, workplaces, and on site at DPP offices. (Doc. 55-7 at 5 & 8). The officers are responsible for monitoring the offenders' compliance with the terms and conditions of their supervision. (Doc. 55-8 at 5). They also track their attendance at required DPP programs. (Doc. 55-7 at 7). A violation of the terms of one's supervision may result in an extension of the term of probation or parole and/or incarceration. (Doc. 55-5 at 19-20; Doc. 55-9 at 7-8).

1. LDPSC and DPP Regulations

LDPSC has promulgated several regulations with respect to the provision of aids and services for hearing-impaired offenders under its supervision. (Doc. 55-5 at 24-27; Doc. 55-15; Doc. 55-16). LDPSC adopted the regulations after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") into LDPSC's failure to provide the necessary services for hearing-impaired offenders. (Doc. 55-13). As a result of the investigation, DOJ and LDPSC formulated an agreement in 2008 which included certain improvements to LDPSC's provision of aids and services to its hearing-impaired supervisees. (Id. at 1-6).

The resulting regulations define "effective communication" as communication with disabled persons that is "as effective as communication with others," which includes the furnishing of aids and services "where necessary to afford qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the services, programs and activities of the Department." (Doc. 55-15 at 3). They also provide that LDPSC "shall provide qualified sign language or oral interpreters when necessary for effective communication with, or effective participation in, departmental programs and activities by employees, offenders and visitors who are deaf or hearing-impaired." (Id. at 7). A DPP policy applicable to probationers and parolees mandates that interpreters must be provided "as warranted, to ensure effective communication," which includes *278"the intake process, office visits and preliminary hearings conducted in the field," as well as required programs. (Doc. 55-16 at 3-4).

To determine whether a probationer or parolee is hearing-impaired and needs an ASL interpreter, the regulations require DPP to conduct an "initial communication assessment" within 48 hours of the intake interview. (Doc. 55-15 at 5-6). DPP staff must also provide the offender with a "Request for Accommodation" form and perform a follow-up assessment within 10 weeks of the initial assessment. (Id. at 6). The policy then requires yearly assessments. (Id. ). "[P]rior to explaining the conditions of probation or parole," DPP staff must determine "how best the offender communicates," such as through sign language. (Doc. 55-16 at 4). If a probationer or parolee is determined to be hearing-impaired, staff must use an appropriate aid or service to ensure effective communication. (Id. ). The regulations discourage the use of inmates to interpret in "many-if not most-situations," even though they "may possess the skill level necessary to provide interpreting services," due to impartiality, "confidentiality, privacy and security reasons." (Doc. 55-15 at 4).

2. Provision of Accommodations

Currently, LDPSC and DPP do not perform a communication assessment to determine whether a probationer or parolee is hearing-impaired and needs an ASL interpreter, or at any time thereafter. (Doc. 90 at 29; see also Docs. 55-1 at 2, 55-2 at 2 & 55-3 at 2). Nor did they provide a "Request for Accommodation" form to the plaintiffs during the intake process. (Doc. 55-1 at 3; Doc. 55-2 at 2; Doc. 55-3 at 2). According to the plaintiffs, instead of providing qualified ASL interpreters during intake meetings, when the terms and conditions of parole or probation are explained to the offenders, LDPSC and DPP typically rely on family or friends of the offender to serve as interpreters.1 (Doc. 55-5 at 9-10; Doc. 55-3 at 2). ASL interpreters are often not provided during meetings with probation officers and are never provided for "field visits"-trips by supervising officers to an offender's home or workplace. (Doc. 55-1 at 2; Doc. 55-2 at 3; Doc. 55-3 at 2; Doc. 55-7 at 9). In lieu of ASL interpreters, probation and parole officers often communicate with their supervisees through written notes, text messages, or speaking. (Doc. 55-1 at 2-3; Doc. 55-2 at 3-4; Doc. 55-3 at 2-3; Doc. 55-5 at 10-11; Doc. 55-7 at 16).

For sign language interpreting, LDPSC also employs inmates who participate in its "American Sign Language Interpreter Program" through Video Remote Interpreting ("VRI"), which records an off-premises interpreter by streaming video. (Doc. 55-1 at 2; Doc. 55-2 at 4-5; Doc. 55-5 at 13-14; Doc. 55-17 at 6). LDPSC policy requires the inmate interpreters to be approved by its ADA Coordinator, to pass the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. ("RID") National Interpreters Certification test, and to complete a 225-hour internship "under the direction of Sign Language Services International, Inc." (Doc. 55-17 at 6). Dr.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
371 F. Supp. 3d 274, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/levy-v-la-dept-of-pub-safety-corr-james-leblanc-lamd-2019.