By C1 Staff
COLE COUNTY, Mo. — An inmate’s suit over clothing – or lack thereof – was recently booted from the courtroom by a judge who said the plaintiffs were unable to give weight to their argument.
The suit, filed against the Cole County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Greg White and Captain John Wheeler, claimed that the jail limited detainees to a single set of clothing, and alleged that the offenders had to remain naked while that set of clothing was being washed, according to ABC News. If they refused, they were then forced to remain in their dirty clothes.
The attorney for Sheriff White said that inmates are issued a set of under clothing and one set of over clothing, and are never required to launder both at the same time.
He also said that additional clothing is available for purchase, and that laundering occurs at night when the inmates are sleeping.
The inmates filing the suit claimed the sheriff’s department had violated the due process clause of the 14th Amendment and the 8th Amendment’s proscriptions of cruel and unusual punishment. They are seeking one million in restitution.
The judge presiding over the case ruled Thursday that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim under the 8th and 14th Amendments, or under any provisions of the Missouri Constitution, giving no weight to their argument.
The sheriff’s attorney said it was evident that no laws were broken in the first place.