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Pa. inmate suing DOC to stop ban on Timberland boots

In the five-page lawsuit, Jamal Washington says the boots are needed for warmth in cold months

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Jamal Washington filed civil action against the DOC in Somerset County Court on April 30 seeking a special injunction.

Photo/Pennsylvania DOC

By Patrick Buchnowski
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.

SOMERSET, Pa. — An inmate at SCI-Somerset is suing the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to stop the ban on Timberland boots.

The DOC in February stopped the sale of the leather-lined Timberland boots at statewide prison commissaries after an inmate at SCI-Somerset fatally beat and kicked a corrections officer.

Inmate Jamal Washington filed civil action against the DOC in Somerset County Court on April 30 seeking a special injunction.

In the five-page lawsuit, Washington says the boots are needed for warmth in cold months.

”...most of the DOC’s facilities are situated in mountainous regions, which calls for proper footwear to combat the harsh winter elements,” the document reads.

“The state-issued boots are not water-resistant, are not insulated and are no more than cheaply made soft leather shoes made to look like boots. This is why the DOC provided Timberland and Rocky-brand boots for purchase.”

The ban on the sale of the $92 a pair Timberland boots followed the Feb. 15 beating death of Sgt. Mark J. Baserman, 60.

Paul Kendrick, 22, was serving a life sentence at SCI-Somerset when he allegedly assaulted Baserman.

Baserman was hit eight to 10 times apparently because he confiscated a towel that the inmate had been using to block an outside view into his cell days earlier, criminal investigators said.

District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser is seeking the death penalty against Kendrick, who is charged with murder.

Somerset County Judge Daniel W. Rullo transferred the inmate’s lawsuit to Commonwealth Court, which he said has jurisdiction.

The DOC has 20 days to respond.

©2018 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)