2016 Trial Set for Suit Over Alabama Prisoner Care

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A lawsuit over medical care and mental health care for Alabama prisoners is set to go to trial in 15 months.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson scheduled the trial to begin March 14, 2016, in Montgomery.

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Center filed the suit in June. It claims the state is failing to provide basic medical and mental health care to inmates.

State Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas says the suit is based on inaccurate allegations and incomplete information.

The suit was filed on behalf of 40 inmates. The judge will hear arguments on June 24, 2015, on whether to make it a class-action case.