Hogan Lovells Settles $7M Class Action for Abuse at Massachusetts Prison
Deal News | May 22, 2025 | Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells has announced a proposed $7 million settlement in a federal class action lawsuit against SBCC, a Massachusetts correctional facility. The class action, filed in 2022, alleges that around 150 current and former prisoners were subject to physical and psychological abuse by correction officers from January 10 to February 6, 2020. The lawsuit details that excessive force was used, including beatings, pepper spray, chemical agents, and other abusive methods. It specifically highlights the targeted abuse of Black and Latino prisoners. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts certified the class in 2024. The settlement includes substantial monetary relief for victims and necessitates significant policy reforms at SBCC to mitigate future misconduct and address racial discrimination. Hogan Lovells’ Boston-based team led by Tony Fuller, assisted by other attorneys and legal staff, worked pro bono on the case, emphasizing institutional accountability and reform.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- Corrections and Rehabilitation
Geography
- United States – The legal proceedings and settlement revolve around events at a correctional facility in Massachusetts, USA.
- Massachusetts – The specific focus of the class action lawsuit is on a correctional facility in this state.
Industry
- Legal Services – The article revolves around a class action lawsuit, which is a legal proceedings topic, highlighting the involvement of a major law firm, Hogan Lovells.
- Corrections and Rehabilitation – The settlement addresses issues within a correctional facility relating to abuse and misconduct in prison systems.
Financials
- $7 million – Proposed settlement amount to be paid to class members involved in the lawsuit.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hogan Lovells | Legal Advisor | Company | A multinational law firm handling the class action lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs. |
| SBCC | Defendant / Target Company | Government | A Massachusetts correctional facility accused of abusing and violating the rights of inmates. |
| Tony Fuller | Lead Attorney | Person | Partner at Hogan Lovells in Boston, leading the legal team for this pro bono case. |
| Kayla Ghantous | Attorney | Person | Attorney at Hogan Lovells providing comments on the significance of the settlement. |
| U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts | Judicial Authority | Government | The court that certified the class in the lawsuit. |