U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section P.O. Box 66738 Washington DC 20035-6738 NOV 27 1996 (STAMPED) Ms. Vivian E. Ferebee Director MBE/EEO Division Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services 300 E. Joppa Road - Suite 1000 Towson, Maryland 21286-3020 Re: DOJ Complaint # XX Dear Ms. Ferebee: This letter is in reference to a complaint that was received by this office alleging a violation of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) by the Southern Maryland Pre- Release Unit (SMPRU). Title II prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the programs, services and activities of State and local governments. The complainant had alleged that on June 13, 1994, an officer of the SMPRU suspended her visitation privileges to the SMPRU for a period of six (6) months in retaliation for her assertion of her right to park in a parking space designated for persons with disabilities. The SMPRU is an agency of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for the State of Maryland (MDDPSCS). We have notified the MDDPSCS of the matter alleged in the complaint. Information provided by both the complainant and MDDPSCS indicates that although the complainant's visitation privileges were revoked after the incident on June 13, 1994, the facility administrator of the SMPRU responded appropriately to the complainant's grievance by conducting a prompt internal investigation of the matter and reinstating the complainant's visitation privileges immediately thereafter. In addition to those actions already taken by the SMPRU, the staff of the SMPRU were provided with training regarding the requirements of the ADA and the policy of the MDDPSCS concerning persons with disabilities on May 21, 1996. Because the MDDPSCS has taken appropriate actions to comply with the requirements of the ADA, we are administratively closing your file on this case as of the date of this letter. This letter is limited to the matters alleged in the complaint and does not address other potential claims of discrimination an the basis of disability that may arise from the activities of the MDDPSCS. If 01-00467 2 the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of this investigation, she may file a private complaint in the appropriate United States District Court under title II. We appreciate the cooperation that both the MDDPSCS and the SMPRU have demonstrated during the course of this investigation. If you have any questions concerning this letter, please call Bill Shiraki, the investigator formally assigned to this complaint, at (202)305-1118 (voice/TDD). Sincerely, Bruce Friedman Supervisory Attorney Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section cc: XXX 01-00468