A federal lawsuit filed on Thursday alleges that the state of Delaware has been systemically failing to provide legally adequate education to young people with learning disabilities inside its prison facilities. The lawsuit, filed by the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI), claims that the special education program in Delaware prisons has been deficient for years, with students learning in literal shackles or separated from instructors by plexiglass walls.
According to the lawsuit, students who have raised concerns about the lack of adequate education have faced retaliation. The lawsuit names leaders of the state’s Department of Education and Department of Correction as defendants, along with state education officials responsible for providing education to incarcerated students.
The lawsuit seeks a court injunction to address the numerous issues outlined in the 98-page complaint. CLASI officials have expressed disappointment in the lack of action taken by the state to address the deficiencies in the education program.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of providing special education services to all students with disabilities, including those who are incarcerated. It emphasizes that education is crucial for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, especially for individuals with identified learning disabilities.
The complaint details instances where students were taught with physical restraints, such as shackles, and lacked access to necessary behavioral supports like counseling. It also alleges that education plans were developed based on perceived resources rather than students’ actual needs, leading to inadequate instruction.
Overall, the lawsuit calls for systemic changes to ensure that incarcerated students with disabilities receive the education and support required by law. It underscores the need for meaningful reforms to prevent further harm to vulnerable populations in Delaware’s prison system.