G. MURRAY SNOW, District Judge.
Plaintiff Ronald N. Jose, a Hawaiian inmate in custody at the Saguaro Correctional Center (SCC), a Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) facility in Eloy, Arizona, brought this civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against multiple officials of SCC. Defendants—Warden Todd Thomas, Assistant Warden Ben Griego, and Unit Manager Timothy Dobson—move for summary judgment.
The Court will grant Defendants' motion and terminate the case.
In his First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleged that numerous conditions of confinement in the segregation unit where he is housed violate the Eighth Amendment. (Doc. 7.)
In their Motion, Defendants assert that Plaintiff lists 15 conditions of confinement that allegedly violate his constitutional rights. (Doc. 53.) They contend that Plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative remedies as to 7 of the conditions and that as to the remaining 8, no constitutional violation has occurred. (
Defendants submit their motion (Doc. 53), their Statement of Facts (Doc. 54 (DSOF)), the affidavit of Juan Valenzuela, with attachments (
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), a prisoner must exhaust available administrative remedies before bringing a federal action concerning prison conditions.
Exhaustion is an affirmative defense.
Defendants assert that under the CCA/SCC grievance policy, if an inmate wants to complain about the conditions of his confinement, he must first try to resolve the issue informally through a Request for Service to his Case Manager or Unit Manager. (Doc. 54 ¶ 13.) The next step is to attempt to resolve the issue by completing a 14-5A Informal Resolution form, with a copy of the Request for Service attached. (
If the inmate is dissatisfied with that result, he can file a formal grievance on a 14-5B form. (
All grievances are noted in a Grievance Log and copies of the grievances are kept in each inmate's grievance file. (
(
Plaintiff asserts that he did exhaust and that the PLRA does not require an informal, only a grievance. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 30, Pl.'s Decl. ¶ 30.)
In their reply, Defendants reassert that Plaintiff failed to exhaust as to these claims and note that Plaintiff offers no evidence to the contrary. (Doc. 62 at 4.)
The Court will grant Defendants' motion to dismiss the specified claims; Defendants have met their burden to demonstrate that an administrative remedy was available and that Plaintiff failed to exhaust his remedies under that procedure. Plaintiff does not refute Defendants' evidence by pointing to language in the grievance documents provided by Defendants that would constitute exhaustion of these claims; the Court has reviewed the documents and finds no indication of exhaustion of such claims. Plaintiff does not provide additional grievance documents.
The Court will dismiss Plaintiff's claims alleging constitutional violations for extreme idleness and lack of programs; clothing being limited to only one change of clothes, a boxer and T-shirt; lack of access to a storage locker; and denial of sun block, lip balm, lotion, and dental floss. These claims will be dismissed without prejudice.
A court must grant summary judgment "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a);
If the movant meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the nonmovant to demonstrate the existence of a factual dispute and that the fact in contention is material, i.e., a fact that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law, and that the dispute is genuine, i.e., the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmovant.
"[T]he unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain . . . constitutes cruel and unusual punishment forbidden by the Eighth Amendment."
To comply with the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, a prison must provide prisoners with "adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care, and personal safety."
In addition, to prevail on a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate that he suffered a specific injury as a result of specific conduct of a defendant and show an affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that defendant.
During the time period of Plaintiff's Complaint, Plaintiff was housed in disciplinary segregation and administrative segregation. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 40; Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 40.)
Plaintiff's claim regarding housing is that there is a mixing of gang members and violent offenders as a result there have been murders and assaults. (Doc. 62 at 1; Doc. 7 at 3A.) Defendants assert that SCC does not recognize gang affiliations in making housing decisions because doing so validates the gang, which in turn empowers it and promotes participation in gang activity. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 41.) Housing decisions are determined case-by-case based on the inmate's classification status, housing and disciplinary history, safety and security needs, unit population profile, and contracting agency requirements. (
Plaintiff contends that housing decisions are done whenever prison officials want, "how they want, with no reason, no policy, no order." (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 42.) Even if staff are notified of a problem, a request to be removed is denied and inmates have been killed. (
In their reply, Defendants assert that they established the procedure for housing decisions. (Doc. 66 at 6.) They argue that Plaintiff has never alleged that he is a member of a gang, that he has any known enemies, that he was housed with a rival gang member or enemy, or that he was the victim of any kind of violence as a result of being housed with a rival gang member or enemy. (
"[P]risons are necessarily dangerous places; they house society's most antisocial and violent people in close proximity with one another."
Plaintiff offers nothing but a few conclusory statements regarding the violence in the segregation unit; there is no evidence to support his claim of murders and assaults or that such incidents were the result of mixing gang members. There is no evidence of a policy of ignoring known risks to inmate safety; Plaintiff's claim that Defendants are aware of conditions does not create a triable issue of fact. And there is no evidence that Plaintiff has suffered any harm from his housing assignment. Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on this claim.
Defendants assert that the lighting about which Plaintiff complains is a dim low-level 9-watt bulb nightlight, which enhances security at the facility, but is dim enough to provide an adequate sleeping environment. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶¶ 44-45.) The nightlights are different from the much brighter security lights and the regular fluorescent lights that are used in the cells during the day and emit light that is less bright than or comparable to the illumination emitted by an alarm clock. (
Plaintiff claims that the light is so bright that he can read by it. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 44, Pl. Decl. ¶ 21.) The light only enhances security if an office looks into the cell, so there is no reason to keep the light on all night. (PSOF ¶ 45.) He claims that staff only looks into the cell every 30 minutes. (
In their reply, Defendants argue that it is well established that night lights that emit the same or higher wattage as those used at SCC do not violate the Eighth Amendment. (Doc. 66 at 5-6.) Plaintiff offers nothing more than his beliefs that Defendants should operate the facility differently regarding lighting. (
The Eighth Amendment requires that inmates be given appropriate lighting.
Defendants proffer evidence showing that each cell contains one 9-watt night light to enable staff to conduct health and welfare/security checks during the night. Defendants have a legitimate penological interest in 24-hour cell lighting. Plaintiff does not adequately dispute the wattage; he merely claims that the light is too bright. But the Constitution does not mandate comfortable prisons,
In his First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleged that there had been 50 uses of gas and mace in one year for no reason other than to abuse two inmates when only one needs to be restrained. (Doc. 7 at 3A.) Defendants assert that Plaintiff has never been subjected to any staff use of force or "OC" spray. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 53.) On one occasion, Plaintiff requested medical care for alleged injuries associated with the use of pepper spray on other individuals; treatment was not required for his alleged injuries. (
Plaintiff argues that the air vents should be turned on when gas is used to extract an inmate from his cell and that there should be a limit on the amount of gas used. (Doc. 62, Pl. Decl. ¶ 4.) Noxious gas should be used when necessary and with caution. (
Defendants argue in their reply that Plaintiff fails to connect the use of force in November Unit to any injuries suffered by him. (Doc. 66 at 6.) He admits he has never been the target of the pepper spray used by prison officials and merely reiterates his belief that the pepper spray should be used differently. (
The Ninth Circuit has ruled that the "use of [tear gas] in small amounts may be a necessary prison technique if a prisoner refuses after adequate warning to move from a cell or upon other provocation presenting a reasonable possibility that slight force will be required."
Plaintiff offers no specifics on the alleged use-of-force incidents and there is no evidence of a policy of using pepper spray or other chemical agents for the purpose of abusing inmates or that the force used was malicious or sadistic. Plaintiff does not claim to have been pepper sprayed. Plaintiff fails to demonstrate a triable issue of fact.
Defendants assert that each year between November and April, the heating/cooling system in November Unit is set to not fall below 70 degrees or rise above 74 degrees. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 54.) Plaintiff does not know the temperature in his cell, and he admits that he suffered no physical injury as a result of the temperature of his cell. (
Plaintiff claims that the temperatures were only set at the levels described above after the lawsuit was filed. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 54.) He asserts that he did not know what the temperature was but that officers were wearing heavy jackets. (
In their reply, Defendants reiterate that Plaintiff does not have a thermometer and cannot establish what the temperature is in November Unit. (Doc. 66 at 7.) They argue that he suffered no physical injury as a result of the temperature in his cell and that the Eighth Amendment does not protect against uncomfortable temperatures. Plaintiff has not demonstrated temperatures posing a "substantial risk of serious harm."
The Eighth Amendment guarantees adequate heating,
Defendants offer evidence that temperatures are kept in the 70 to 74 range. Plaintiff claimed in his First Amended Complaint that the temperatures were in the 50s (Doc. 7 at #A), but he admits in his response that he does not know what the temperatures were, although officers wore heavy jackets. He asserts that inmates did not have jackets or sweaters, but it is unclear what other clothing was available. On this record, Plaintiff fails to establish a substantial risk of harm; he demonstrates nothing more than discomfort and fails to demonstrate a triable issue of fact.
Defendants assert that for safety and security reasons, inmates in the November Unit are not permitted to have mirrors in their cells or in their showers because mirrors can be made into weapons. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶¶ 57-58.)
Plaintiff claims that there are safety mirrors in the cells but no mirrors in the showers and he asks why the inmates cannot be permitted to shave in the cell. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶¶ 57-58.)
Defendants argue in their reply that a mirror in the shower is not a necessity of life and that Plaintiff is not being denied adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, personal safety, or medical care. (Doc. 66 at 8-9.)
The Court finds that the denial of a mirror for shaving is insufficient to constitute the denial of the minimal civilized measure of life's necessities.
Defendants assert that the Segregation Activity Record (SAR) tracks when an inmate has recreation. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 59.) Recreation is logged by indicating if the inmate did or did not receive recreation or by indicating that he refused it. If an inmate refuses recreation, no further recreation is offered for that day. Outside recreation is allowed as weather permits. (
Inmates in disciplinary segregation and administrative segregation are allowed 1 hour of outdoor recreation a day, 5 times a week, as permitted by facility needs. (
Plaintiff claims that SARs are sometimes marked to show that recreation was offered when, in fact, it was taken away and that it is taken away when "they want to for as long as they want to." (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶¶ 59-61.) He claims that lockdown is used to punish inmates and there are no limitations on how long lockdown can be. (
In the reply, Defendants note that Plaintiff states that the documents and affidavits provided by Defendants in support of their Motion are false but that he offers no evidence supporting his allegations. (Doc. 66 at 7.) They offer evidence that Plaintiff has refused to go to recreation or November Unit was on security lockdown on several occasions. (
Exercise is a basic human necessity protected by the Eighth Amendment; thus, the deprivation of outdoor exercise for inmates who are under long-term segregation violates the Constitution.
Defendants proffer evidence that except for lockdown situations, when weather permits, Plaintiff is offered out-of-cell recreation five times per week and that Plaintiff has, on occasion, refused recreation. Plaintiff claims that the SARs is inaccurate or false, but he offers no evidence to substantiate that claim and does not specify when he did not receive recreation. His major complaint is that unidentified staff place inmates on lockdown to punish them. But there is no evidence of a policy to misuse lockdown, and Plaintiff's allegations do not even connect Defendants to the alleged improper lockdowns. Plaintiff fails to create a triable issue of fact, and Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on this claim.
Defendants assert that the SAR also tracks when an inmate receives cleaning supplies. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 59.) Defendants assert that inmates in disciplinary segregation and administrative segregation are provided cleaning supplies/chemicals on request and can use them for up to 10 minutes at a time. (
Plaintiff claims that cleaning supplies are never issued except for chemicals and that inmates have not received those for the past five months and that there is no broom available. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 67.) The SAR is managed by staff who can say what they want; there are no signatures verifying receipt of supplies. (
Defendants argue in their reply that they establish that Plaintiff requested cleaning supplies infrequently. (Doc. 66 at 8.) Although Plaintiff argues that the SAR reports are not accurate, he offers no evidence to support such an allegation and he fails to establish he suffered any injury or that Defendants were aware of any risk of serious harm to Plaintiff. Plaintiff does not even allege that his own cell was unsanitary. (
Subjecting an inmate to lack of sanitation that is severe or prolonged may constitute a constitutional deprivation.
Defendants proffer evidence of the availability of cleaning supplies and evidence of when Plaintiff requested them. Again, Plaintiff claims that the SARs is inaccurate or false because staff can write what they want on the SARs, but he offers no evidence to substantiate that claim or to connect Defendants to the denial of specific requests for cleaning supplies. As Defendants note, Plaintiff does not even claim that he was unable to maintain sanitation in his cell. Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on this claim.
Defendants contend that any noise in the November Unit is minimal; inmates who do not follow directions of facility staff related to noise are subject to discipline. (Doc. 54, DSOF ¶ 69.) Plaintiff admits his only injury as a result of the noises in November Unit was "staying up" and that the noises last only a "couple of hours." (
Plaintiff asserts that the noise is not minimal and that there are inmates who do not care about a write-up. (Doc. 62, PSOF ¶ 69.) Inmates kick and pound the walls and doors. (
Defendants argue that Plaintiff states that the noise is not minimal and that the noise makes it difficult to sleep but he fails to establish that the noise levels posed a serious risk of injury or were anything other than annoying to him. (Doc. 66 at 9.) He does not deny that he never sought medical care related to the noise and he admits that the only affect as a result of the noise is "staying up." (
Exposure to excessive levels of noise can violate the Eighth Amendment.
The Court finds that, on this record, the individual conditions of confinement about which Plaintiff complains do not violate the Eighth Amendment. Although Plaintiff argues that the totality of the circumstances amounts to cruel and unusual punishment (Doc. 62, Pl. Decl. ¶ 27), the Court may not find an Eighth Amendment violation based on the "totality of conditions."
(1) The reference to the Magistrate Judge is
(2) Plaintiff's Motion for an Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motions (Doc. 70) is
(3) Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 53) is
(a) Plaintiff's claim for extreme idleness and lack of programs; that clothing provided in segregation is limited to only one change of clothes, a boxer and T-shirt; lack of access to a storage locker; and denial of sun block, lip balm, lotion, and dental floss unconstitutional lighting and denial of dental floss are
(b) the remaining claims are dismissed
(4) The action is terminated, and the Clerk of Court must enter judgment accordingly.
(5) For the reasons set forth herein, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), an appeal from the judgment in this action would not be taken in good faith.