When Anthony Torcasio was incarcerated in the Virginia prison system in 1991, prison officials had to make special accommodations for the 450-pound man. They provided a private cell, a hospital bed, reinforced chairs for both his cell and the prison dining hall and special mats and handrails in the shower. But in 1992, Torcasio sued, saying that his rights were being violated under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He demanded toilet handrails, a wider door on his cell, mats in the lobby and extra time to travel between prison buildings.

Torcasio was released in 1994, and his suit was dismissed by a federal judge. But the ex-con, who also sought financial compensation from prison authorities, took his case to the Supreme Court, which dismissed it without comment.

†