PART XVI. PRISON LITIGATION REFORM ACT

§1181. Definitions

In this Part the terms enumerated have the following meanings:

(1) "Consent decree" means any relief entered by the court that is based in whole or in part upon the consent or acquiescence of the parties but does not include private settlements.

(2) "Civil action with respect to prison conditions" or "prisoner suit" means any civil proceeding with respect to the conditions of confinement or the effects of actions by government officials on the lives of persons confined in prison, but does not include post conviction relief or habeas corpus proceedings challenging the fact or duration of confinement in prison.

(3) "Expert" means any person appointed by a court to exercise the powers of an expert, regardless of the title or description given by the court.

(4) "Fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted" means the petition does not allege a set of facts in support of a claim which would entitle the petitioner to relief on that claim.

(5) "Prison" means any state or local jail, prison, or other correctional facility that incarcerates or detains juveniles or adults accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for violations of criminal law.

(6) "Prisoner" means any person subject to incarceration, detention, or admission to any prison who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for a violation of criminal law or the terms or conditions of parole, probation, pretrial release, or a diversionary program. Status as a "prisoner" is determined as of the time the cause of action arises. Subsequent events, including post trial judicial action or release from custody, shall not affect such status.

(7) "Prisoner release order" includes any order, including a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunctive relief, that has the purpose or effect of reducing or limiting the prison population, or that directs the release of prisoners from or prohibits the admission of prisoners to a prison.

(8) "Private settlement agreement" means an agreement entered into among the parties that is not subject to judicial enforcement other than the reinstatement of the civil proceeding that the agreement settled.

(9) "Prospective relief" means all relief other than compensatory monetary damages.

(10) "Relief" means all relief in any form that may be granted or approved by the court, and includes consent decrees but does not include private settlement agreements.

Acts 1997, No. 731, §1, eff. July 9, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 110, §1, eff. May 5, 1998.