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Colo. death row inmates allowed outdoor exercise

Inmate sued the Colorado Department of Corrections in, arguing the prison’s policy of restricting death row inmates to a small exercise cell a few times a week was unconstitutional

By Brandon Johansson
The Aurora Sentinel

AURORA, Colo. — Colorado’s three death row inmates — all of whom are from Aurora — have been transferred to a different prison after one of them settled a lawsuit requiring prison officials to let condemned prisoners exercise outside.

Nathan Dunlap, who was sentenced to death for killing four people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in 1993, sued the Colorado Department of Corrections in, arguing the prison’s policy of restricting death row inmates to a small exercise cell a few times a week was unconstitutional.

“Depriving Mr. Dunlap of fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor exercise for 15 years is cruel and unusual punishment,” said Mark Silverstein, Colorado American Civil Liberties Union legal director. “The Constitution requires prisons to provide for basic human needs, and courts have consistently required access to fresh air and sunshine along with food, clothing, shelter, safety, and medical care.”

Full Story: Death row inmates transferred to accommodate outdoor exercise

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