ABSTRACT
Ruiz v. Estelle concerns the role of Fifth circuit court Judge William Wayne Justice who accepted this case as a class-action suit. The essay cites the rulings that Judge Justice made so that the Texas prison system would no longer violate the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution proscription against “cruel and unusual” punishment. The judge recommended eliminating overcrowding at the prison farm units by increasing parole opportunities, providing single-cells, and moving some inmates to small urban facilities in which these inmates could be visited by their loved ones. Further, Judge Justice agreed with the plaintiffs that the inhumane conditions, such as guard brutality; lack of adequate medical care; and the use of some prisoners to supervise others, known as the building tender system should be ended by the Texas legislature.
