Biography
Jerry Lee Pugh was an Alabama prisoner whose letters about unsafe prison conditions led to the class-action case Pugh v. Locke. He was incarcerated on a parole violation on May 30, 1973 and transferred to Atmore Prison on July 20. After a severe assault in the crowded prison dormitory in August, he sought outside assistance. Judge Frank Johnson appointed attorney Bobby Segall, whose litigation challenged the state’s failure to provide prisoners with safety, medical care, food, clothing and shelter. The underlying criminal case was from Houston County in 1969; the historical account does not identify that offense or establish his eventual release date.
Jerry Lee Pugh was an Alabama prisoner whose letters about unsafe prison conditions led to the class-action case Pugh v. Locke. He was incarcerated on a parole violation on May 30, 1973 and transferred to Atmore Prison on July 20. After a severe assault in the crowded prison dormitory in August, he sought outside assistance. Judge Frank Johnson appointed attorney Bobby Segall, whose litigation challenged the state’s failure to provide prisoners with safety, medical care, food, clothing and shelter. The underlying criminal case was from Houston County in 1969; the historical account does not identify that offense or establish his eventual release date.
The Vulcan Historical Review, volume 20 (2016), 20th Anniversary Issue, University of Alabama at Birmingham, PDF page 105; The Vulcan Historical Review, volume 20 (2016), 20th Anniversary Issue, University of Alabama at Birmingham, PDF page 107; The Vulcan Historical Review, volume 20 (2016), 20th Anniversary Issue, University of Alabama at Birmingham, PDF page 108.
Source-reported institution: Alabama prison system; transferred to Atmore Prison July20,1973.
