Holt v. Sarver
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Holt v. Sarver (Arkansas) is one of the series of cases that have significantly altered the American prison system, specifically with regard to prisoners' rights and civic standing.
In 1961 in Holt v. Sarver I, Judge J. Smith Henley ruled several aspects of the existing prison system unconstitutional. He issued guidelines for correction, and ordered administrators to report on the progress of the implementation of these guidelines.
In 1970 in Holt v. Sarver II, Judge Henley ruled the entire Arkansas prison system unconstitutional and ordered the State Correction Board to devise a plan of action. This was the only prison system in the nation judged to be unconstitutional. In that same case in 1971, Judge Henley enjoined the Arkansas prison from preventing the inmates' access to court and from inflicting cruel and unusual punishment upon them.
