August Rebellion

[3] In August 1974, about 200 women imprisoned at Bedford Hills rebelled, taking over parts of the prison, in protest of the inhumane treatment of Carol Crooks.

A subsequent civil-action lawsuit, ruled in the inmates' favor, led to greater protections of Fourth Amendment (due process) rights for incarcerated people.

[4] Crooks filed a lawsuit challenging the placement of women in solitary confinement without a 24-hour notice of prison disciplinary charges, hearings, and the reason for the punishment.

[6] In August of the same year, after the judges who heard Crooks' case ruled in her favor, the prison guards retaliated by beating her and putting her in a segregated cell.

After an eight-year long legal battle, an out-of-court settlement was reached in U.S. District Court and the plaintiffs were also awarded a fund of $127,000 to be controlled by an inmate committee.