Eight lawsuits have been filed against Lancaster County Prison by inmates and the families of former inmates who died in custody. Seven will be considered in federal courts in Philadelphia, while one has been filed in Lancaster County’s Court of Common Pleas. Three previous suits have been settled by the county in the last year. All of the lawsuits filed have alleged shocking abuse and neglect at the hands of prison guards.

Two lawsuits have been filed by survivors of prisons who committed suicide while incarcerated. One, filed by the widow of James Hodapp Jr, states that Hodapp was denied access to the prescription drugs he needed to treat clinical depression, and that he sustained injuries during multiple cases of excessive force used by prison guards. The second lawsuit related to suicide has been filed by the parents of Joseph Keohane, who claim his repeated threats to commit suicide were ignored by prison staff.

The remaining six lawsuits concern instances of abuse, humiliation, and inhumane treatment allegedly suffered by inmates. Accusations range from injuries caused by violent guards to sexual humiliation suffered during strip searches. Every plaintiff claims that there has been a long history of inexcusable abuse at this prison.

If you or a loved one has been injured by another person’s negligent or malicious behavior, contact Philadelphia personal injury lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams at 610-667-7511.