Allegheny County strip-search lawsuit still pending, despite reports

A group of former jail inmates have not settled a civil rights lawsuit with Allegheny County over the jail's practice of strip-searching people being held for minor offenses, despite a mediator's report signaling an end to the case.

A court-appointed mediator filed a document March 26 that said both sides reached an agreement, but plaintiffs and the county filed a joint motion four days later saying the report was wrong.

U.S. District Judge Terrence McVerry agreed to strike the report from the record. Rob Peirce, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, said both sides are trying to reach a settlement.

"We are optimistic the case may be resolved at some point later this spring or early summer," he said.

The plaintiffs contend strip searches of people arrested for minor offenses are unconstitutional unless jail officials have reason to believe the person is hiding contraband. The county contends the searches are necessary for security because anyone being held in the jail mixes in with the other inmates and could pass weapons or drugs to them.