United States First Circuit

In ordering body cavity strip searches of adults arrested for non-violent, non-drug-related misdemeanors, prudent prison officials reasonably could have believed that Rhode Island's strip search policy was constitutional, thus the officials are entitled to qualified immunity.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/04/2003
• Published 08/04/2003

Judges

• Before BOUDIN, Chief Judge, COFFIN and BOWNES, Senior Circuit Judges, TORRUELLA, SELYA, LYNCH, LIPEZ and HOWARD, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Gregory A. Belzley, with whom Dinsmore & Shohl LLP and Thomas W. Kelly were on brief, for appellants.


• For Appellees:
  
• Rebecca Tedford Partington, Deputy Chief, Civil Division, with whom Patrick C. Lynch, Attorney General, was on brief, for appellees.