A federal judge Monday signed an order to dismiss the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho’s lawsuit alleging Canyon County jail staff retaliated against inmates who complained to the ACLU or others.

The order formalizes a settlement the Idaho Statesman reported Saturday between the civil rights organization and Canyon County Sheriff Chris Smith and Chief Deputy Gary Deulen.

Judge Ronald Bush dismissed the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be filed again. But if the county violates the settlement agreement within the next two years, the dismissal would be lifted.

Under the settlement, Smith and Deulen continue to deny all allegations in the class-action lawsuit filed against them last November, but agree to several specific steps to address concerns voiced in the complaint. Those steps include a zero-tolerance policy for retaliation or threats of retaliation and training of all jail personnel, including administrators, in that policy. The county also agreed never to transfer an inmate because he or she filed a grievance – one of the allegations of the lawsuit.