Hammond et al v. Department of Corrections et al

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
KHALIL HAMMOND, et al., 	: 	CIVIL NO. 1:25-CV-00048
:
Plaintiffs, 	:
:
v. 	:
: 	(Magistrate Judge Carlson)
PENNSYLVANIA DEP’T OF 	:
CORRECTIONS, et al., 	:
:
Defendants. 	:
ORDER
AND 	NOW, 	this 	13 th day 	of 	October 	2026, 	in 	accordance 	with 	the
accompanying Memorandum Opinion, IT IS ORDERED that the request to bifurcate
discovery, (Doc. 111), is DENIED. Yet, while we conclude that bifurcation of
discovery is not appropriate in this case, we agree that the parties should endeavor to
focus their initial energies and attention on class-based discovery so the Court can
address this issue at an early practicable time as contemplated by Rule 23. Therefore,
in the first instance, the parties should focus discovery on those factual and legal
issues pertaining to class certification to in order to enable a decision under Rule 23
at an early practicable time, and this discovery should be completed by the date
initially set in the case management plan for close of discovery June 4, 2027. To the
Case 1:25-cv-00048-MCC Document 114 Filed 10/13/26 Page 1 of 2

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extent that disputes arise regarding individual discovery requests that cannot be
resolved through good faith meet-and-confers, the parties may bring them to the
Court's attention. Finally, upon resolution of class certification issues, further case
management deadlines will be set in consultation with counsel.
S/ Martin C. Carlson
Martin C. Carlson
United States Magistrate Judge
Case 1:25-cv-00048-MCC Document 114 Filed 10/13/26 Page 2 of 2