Jackson v. Austin.

• Position: Prisoner abuse - Brief Article

U.S. District Court

COMPENSATORY DAMAGES

PUNITIVE DAMAGES

Jackson v. Austin, 241 F.Supp.2d 1313 (D.Kan. 2003). A state prisoner brought a [section] 1983 action against state corrections officers, alleging they subjected him to excessive force. The district court entered judgment in favor of the prisoner, finding that the officers used excessive force to restrain him. The court held that the officers were not entitled to qualified immunity, and that the prisoner was not required to prove that he sustained significant or permanent injuries. The court also found that an officer who did not participate in the altercation was liable for failing to intervene. The court ordered the officers to pay $15,000 in compensatory damages, and $30,000 in punitive damages. One officer had...