GREGORY G. HOLLOWS, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, seeks relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff is proceeding on his amended complaint, filed March 29, 2010 ("Am. Comp."), in which he alleges that certain correctional officers at High Desert State Prison violated his constitutional rights when he was transferred into administrative segregation and while he was housed in that unit. Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of money damages only.
Pending before the court is defendants' motion for summary judgment, filed on July 22, 2011 (Doc. Nos. 40, 41, 42), to which plaintiff filed an opposition on September 15, 2011 (Doc. No. 46), after which defendants filed a reply on September 27, 2011 (Doc. No. 47).
Defendants move for summary judgment on two grounds: (1) that there are no genuine issues of material fact to support plaintiff's allegations that defendants violated his constitutional rights; and (2) that the defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.
Plaintiff has filed a response to the motion which includes his own sworn declaration. His opposition does not include any objections to the defendants' statement of undisputed facts, nor did plaintiff compile his own counter-statement of material facts.
Instead, plaintiff requests further discovery "to comparitively discount defendants false contentions that petitioner suddenly altered all hygenical and sanitary habits, once petitioner was placed in custodial care of defendants whose single act of probity of the `Record of Daily Activity' inheres on the credibility of said defendants." (Doc. No. 46, p.2:9-15). Discovery in this case closed on March 11, 2011, (see Doc. No. 26), and this court previously denied plaintiff's tardy request for an extension of the discovery deadline.
The following facts are undisputed unless otherwise noted.
Plaintiff is a state prisoner in the custody of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR"). Defendants' Separate Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment ("SUF") No. 1. On November 24, 2006, a group of inmates assaulted two correctional officers at High Desert State Prison ("HDSP"). SUF No. 2. Plaintiff was identified as one of the inmates who participated in the assault of the correctional officers. SUF No. 3. Plaintiff, along with the other inmates identified as having been involved in the battery, were to be placed in the ad-seg unit. SUF No. 4. At HDSP, inmates processed into and out of ad-seg are placed in handcuffs. SUF No. 5. On November 28, 2006, plaintiff was placed in handcuffs and escorted by defendant Kirkland from his cell to a holding cage for processing and placement in ad-seg. SUF No. 6; SUF No. 43.
Plaintiff alleges that he was escorted "into Z-unit with excessive force into a holding cage." Doc. No. 46, Declaration of Plaintiff ("Pl. Dec.") 1:24. Specifically,
Doc. No. 42, Deposition of Plaintiff, taken March 10, 2011 ("Dep. Tr.") 14:14-18. Plaintiff further alleges that, while in the holding cage,
Pl. Dec. at 1:26-2:3.
Defendant Kirkland declares that at no time did he force plaintiff to the ground with his hands or use any other means to force plaintiff to the ground. Doc. No. 41, Declaration of Defendant Kirkland In Support of Motion for Summary Judgment, dated July 22, 2011, ("Kirkland Decl."), ¶ 7. Defendant Kirkland additionally declares that he did not punch plaintiff in the face with his palm, threaten him, or tell plaintiff that he would squash him like a bug.
Defendants Kissinger, Wright, and Garate were present when defendant Kirkland escorted plaintiff into the holding cell. Dep. Tr. 14:22-15:10; 16:4-14; 18:23-19:4; SUF No. 40. Defendants deny that defendant Kirkland forced plaintiff to the ground, punched him in the face with any open palm, or used any other means to force him to the ground of the holding cage. SUF No. 7. Defendants also deny that defendant Kirkland threatened to squash plaintiff, upon his arrival in ad-seg or at any other time.
Plaintiff suffered no injury as a result of being pushed to the ground by defendant Kirkland. Dep. Tr. 18:4-8. As to his allegation regarding defendant Kirkland's punch, plaintiff alleges that he suffered injuries of "discoloration on my right cheek," for which he did not seek medical treatment. Dep. Tr. 19:5-23; 68:12-21.
After plaintiff was processed into ad-seg, he was escorted by defendant Wright and non-defendant Renner from the holding case, and placed in a cell in ad-seg. SUF. No. 8. According to plaintiff,
Pl. Dec. 2:11-16. According to plaintiff, he sometimes has pain in his left shoulder, but has never sought or received medical treatment for the alleged shoulder injury. Dep. Tr. 68:22-69:19.
An inmate housed in ad-seg is permitted to possess in his cell a "fish kit" containing toilet paper, a bar soap, a toothbrush, tooth powder, a comb, a plastic spoon, a paper cup, a pen filer, and various CDCR forms. SUF No. 12. When plaintiff was housed in ad-seg, he was given a fish kit that contained toilet paper, a bar soap, a toothbrush, tooth powder, a comb, a plastic spoon, a paper cup, a pen filer, and various CDCR forms. SUF No. 13.
Plaintiff alleges that he was not given a fish kit when he first arrived at his ad-seg cell. Pl. Dec. at 2:22-24. According to plaintiff, he did not get a fish kit until "Thursday" — because plaintiff has not provided the date, the court construes this designation to mean Thursday, November 30, 2006, or two days after plaintiff was moved into ad-seg.
An inmate housed in ad-seg was provided a bed roll containing two blankets, two sheets, a towel, three shirts, three pairs of boxer shorts, three pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, and a jumpsuit. SUF No. 14.
Plaintiff was also given a bed roll containing two blankets, two sheets, a towel, three tee-shirts, three pairs of boxer shorts, three pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, and a jumpsuit. SUF No. 15. Plaintiff alleges that, upon his arrival into ad-seg, defendant Kirkland gave him a t-shirt, a pair of boxer shorts, and a pair of socks "that clearly had spit on it." Pl. Dec. 2:4-7; 3:2-3. Plaintiff further alleges that when he entered his first ad-seg cell, he found that one of the two blankets, and both sheets, had been stuffed into the toilet. Pl. Dec. 2:18-20; Dep. Tr. 28:17-29:18.
Plaintiff further alleges that he and his cellmate were not provided with mattresses upon their arrival in ad-seg. Pl. Dec. 2:22; 3:4; Dep. Tr. 39:6-25. Plaintiff claims that, during his first night in cell number 139, defendant Wright kicked a mattress to the plaintiff's cell door, but, when plaintiff asked if he could have the mattress, defendant Wright smiled and left. Pl. Dec. 6:9-13.
Defendants allege that there was a mattress in the cell when plaintiff was placed in ad-seg. SUF No. 10. Plaintiff alleges that he did not receive a mattress until he was moved to his second cell, four days after he was originally moved into ad-seg. Dep. Tr. 39:9-19.
When plaintiff was transferred from ad-seg cell number 139 to ad-seg cell number 136, he was provided with the same items listed above. SUF No. 16. Plaintiff further alleges that, after he was moved to cell number 136, he received a fish kit "the next morning." Pl. Dec. 4:22.
Defendants claim that they never provided plaintiff with clothing, linens, or bedding that had been spat on or placed in the toilet. SUF No. 21. Defendants allege that, when plaintiff was placed into his ad-seg cell, there was no visible indication of a toilet leak or flooding. SUF No. 11. It is undisputed that plaintiff did not
An inmate housed in HDSP's ad-seg is given grooming tools on days that grooming tools are given to the inmates. SUF No. 17. Plaintiff was given grooming tools while he was housed in ad-seg. SUF No. 18. Plaintiff claims that, upon his arrival in ad-seg, and upon arrival in his second cell, he and his cellmate could not use grooming tools. Pl. Dec. 3:26, 4:24. Plaintiff also claims that defendant Kissinger refused to issue him grooming tools, and that he ignored plaintiff's requests to use the grooming tools. Pl. Dec. 6:22-23. A review of the RDAs reflects that, from November 28, 2006 through February 28, 2007, the first three months plaintiff was in ad-seg, he was offered a shave or haircut at least 12 times.
Inmates housed in HDSP's ad-seg unit may exchange their dirty clothes and linens for clean ones every week. SUF No. 19. Plaintiff alleges that, upon his arrival in ad-seg and when he was moved to his new cell, he was not able to exchange his clothing (Pl. Dec. 3:25-26, 4:24), and that defendant Kissinger refused to allow plaintiff to exchange his dirty sheets for new ones. Pl. Dec. 7:1-2. A review of the RDAs reflects that, from November 28, 2006 through February 28, 2007, the first three months plaintiff was in ad-seg,
Third watch officers were responsible to serve inmates in ad-seg with their dinner. SUF No. 23. Defendants always served plaintiff's dinners through the food port of his cell. SUF No. 24. Plaintiff variously claims that, beginning in November 2006 and continuing through May 2007, he did not receive food, in that the tray would contain only "residue," that the main course would be missing from his tray, or that the officers serving him tampered with his food by placing their hands in it.
The RDAs for the period November 28, 2006 through May 31, 2007 show that plaintiff was served breakfast, lunch, and dinner on all days except December 25, 2006; February 2, 2007, February 4, 2007; and February 9, 2007. The entry for December 25, 2006 does not indicate if plaintiff was served breakfast or lunch. For the remaining dates, there are no entries for the second watch, when breakfast and lunch are served.
HDSP operational procedures required officers to conduct weekly cell inspections to ensure that the ad-seg inmates properly maintained their cells, that inmates do not possess items that they were not allowed to have, and that they are not in possession of illegal materials. SUF No. 25. The inspections were mandatory and done regardless of whether an inmate has submitted an administrative grievance.
Plaintiff alleges generally that "legal mails and personal letters, magazines and newspapers" were improperly confiscated by the defendants during their cell searches, but that he never received a receipt. Pl. Dec. 5:11-14. Defendants allege that while plaintiff was housed in ad-seg, no items were ever removed from his cell during the mandatory inspections, and thus no receipts were provided to plaintiff. SUF No. 27.
Plaintiff additionally alleges that defendants searched his cell in retaliation for administrative grievances filed by plaintiff alleging misconduct by defendant Kirkland.
At HDSP, officers are required to conduct cell counts of inmates to ensure the presence of the inmates (no escapes), and to ensure that the inmates were not ill or otherwise required emergent attention. SUF No. 28. Plaintiff alleges that, during routine nighttime counts, defendant Kirkland would either kick plaintiff's door to wake plaintiff or shine the light from his flashlight in plaintiff's face until plaintiff woke up. Am. Comp. at 3(d).
At all times relevant to this case, an inmate housed in HDSP's ad-seg unit was given the opportunity to exercise a minimum of ten hours per week. SUF No. 30. Yard exercise for an inmate in ad-seg may be suspended due to disciplinary offenses committed by the inmate. SUF No. 31.
Inmates housed in HDSP's ad-seg were also permitted to shower three times per week. SUF No. 32.
Plaintiff claims that he was denied yard access from November 28, 2006 through March 2007. Dep. Tr. 64:15-65:17;
Plaintiff claims that he was denied shower access from November 28, 2007 through April 2007. Dep. Tr. 65:18-67:4.
Plaintiff additionally claims that he did not refuse shower or yard access during those periods. Dep. Tr. 65:15-17; 67:1-4;
An inmate's refusal to exercise or to shower is recorded in the daily activity log for ad-seg inmates, the CDCR 114, "Record of Daily Activity" (the "RDAs"). SUF No. 33. Each time plaintiff refused the opportunities for yard and exercise of shower, the letter "R," for refused, appears under the column for that activity and the date on the CDCR Form 114. SUF No. 36.
According to the RDAs for plaintiff, provided by defendants, between November 28, 2006 and August 26, 2008 (reflecting plaintiff's entire time in ad-seg), plaintiff refused to shower a total of one hundred and forty-one times. SUF No. 34; Kirkland Ex. A (Doc. No. 41 at 7-43; Doc. 41-1 at 1-26). During those same dates, the RDAs reflect that plaintiff refused to attend yard time a total of eighty-one times. SUF No. 35; Kirkland Ex. A.
In addition, a review of the RDAs reflects that, during the period November 28, 2006 through April 1, 2007, the longest period of time when plaintiff did not go to the yard, either because of discipline (
A review of the RDAs further reflects that, between November 28, 2006 and May 1, 2007, plaintiff showered seven times, and refused a shower, during that same period, a total of fifty-six times.
At HDSP, officers are required to sign for mails received from inmates, and then to send them to the mail room for processing. SUF No. 37. While plaintiff was housed in ad-seg, defendant Kissinger signed for mail received from plaintiff, and sent it to the mail room for processing. SUF No. 38.
Plaintiff claims, without identifying the factual basis for his allegation, that defendant Kirkland would sometimes not give him his mail, and "would actually hold onto my mails and dispose of it." Pl. Dec. 5:12-14. Plaintiff additionally alleges that defendant Kissinger threw away plaintiff's out-going legal mail, and, in particular, refused to sign for a letter addressed to Inspector General after reading the letter in front of plaintiff. Pl. Dec. 6:14-19;
Defendant Garate was a correctional sergeant at HDSP during the time period covered by this complaint.
The plaintiff's failure to identify his specific constitutional claims, and to link the legal claims to any set of facts, as well as plaintiff's failure to comply with the Federal Rules and the Local Rules, requires the undersigned to determine first what claims plaintiff could be making, and then to determine what relevant facts exist in the record to support or controvert the legal claim.
The court will accordingly divide plaintiff's claims as follows: (1) that, on November 28, 2006, defendants Wright and Kirkland used excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment when restraining and moving plaintiff into administrative segregation, and that defendant Kirkland used excessive force when pushed and held plaintiff to the ground and punched plaintiff in the face; (2) that plaintiff's conditions of confinement constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment because: (a) plaintiff's living conditions were unsanitary; (b) plaintiff was denied showers and grooming tools; (c) plaintiff was denied a mattress, bedding and a fish kit for either one week or five days; (d) defendants did not serve plaintiff meals, would throw plaintiff's food tray, would tamper with his food, or would remove a course from the tray before serving; and (e) plaintiff was denied yard and exercise time; (3) that plaintiff's First Amendment rights were violated when (a) in retaliation for inmate grievances filed by plaintiff against defendant Kirkland, defendants searched plaintiff's cell, and harassed plaintiff; (b) defendant Kirkland denied plaintiff access to the law library; and (c) defendants Kirkland and Kissinger interfered with plaintiff's mail; (4) that defendants violated plaintiff's Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights when they searched his cell and confiscated his property; and (5) that defendant Garate is liable as a supervisor who was aware of the misconduct of other officers but did nothing to stop it.
In his complaint, plaintiff writes only that he seeks money damages to be determined after trial. Doc. 15 at 3. In his deposition, plaintiff testified that he sustained emotional distress as a result of the allegations against defendant Kirkland, defendant Kissinger, and defendant Aurich. Dep. Tr. 69:20-70:24. Plaintiff testified that he claimed no damages against defendants Wright and Garate. Dep. Tr. 70:25-71:5.
Summary judgment is appropriate when it is demonstrated that there exists "no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c).
Under summary judgment practice, the moving party
If the moving party meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to establish that a genuine issue as to any material fact actually does exist.
In the endeavor to establish the existence of a factual dispute, the opposing party need not establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor. It is sufficient that "the claimed factual dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial."
In resolving the summary judgment motion, the court examines the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The evidence of the opposing party is to be believed.
On July 9, 2010, the court advised plaintiff of the requirements for opposing a motion pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
The above advice would, however, seem to be unnecessary as the Ninth Circuit has held that procedural requirements applied to ordinary litigants at summary judgment do not apply to prisoner pro se litigants. In
"`Because routine discomfort is part of the penalty that criminal offenders pay for their offenses against society, only those deprivations denying the minimal civilized measure of life's necessities are sufficiently grave to form the basis of an Eighth Amendment violation.'"
However, "[p]rison officials have a duty to ensure that prisoners are provided adequate shelter, food, clothing, sanitation, medical care, and personal safety."
In order to establish excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment, plaintiff must show that he has been subjected to the wanton and unnecessary infliction of pain.
In other words, while the absence of a serious injury is relevant to an excessive force inquiry, it is not determinative.
In addition, while verbal harassment or abuse alone does not generally rise to the level of a constitutional deprivation, harassment coupled with conduct implicating the Eighth Amendment's proscription against cruel and unusual punishment may present a claim cognizable under section 1983.
Both parties have submitted evidence concerning plaintiff's processing into administrative segregation on November 28, 2006. Plaintiff claims that defendants Wright and Kirkland used excessive force to escort him, and that defendant Kirkland forced him to the ground, told him "I could squash you like a bug," and punched him while he was in the holding cell. Defendants, on the other hand, deny the use of excessive force or that Kirkland forced plaintiff to the ground, taunted him, and punched him. Considering all the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, the court finds that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether defendants Wright and Kirkland used excessive force against plaintiff on November 28, 2006.
Essentially, it is plaintiff's word against the word of the prison officials as to whether the facts underlying plaintiff's claims are true, and the court cannot find that plaintiff's version is so unreasonable that a rational trier of fact would not find in his favor. Accordingly, the court will recommend that summary judgment on the excessive force claims against Wright and Kirkland be denied.
In addition, the court finds that defendant Kirkland's use of taunting language, if proven, would be probative of whether any force was applied maliciously or sadistically. Accordingly, to the extent plaintiff is raising a verbal harassment claim against defendant Kirkland for his language in connection with plaintiff's processing into ad-seg, this court recommends that, as to such a claim, defendants' summary judgment motion be denied.
An Eighth Amendment claim that a prison official has deprived inmates of humane conditions must meet two requirements, one objective and one subjective.
Deprivation of outdoor exercise violates the Eighth Amendment rights of inmates confined to continuous and long-term segregation.
Plaintiff in this case has alleged that defendants denied him outdoor exercise for four months. Defendants allege that plaintiff refused yard access, which allegation plaintiff denies. The court's own review of the RDAs reflects that plaintiff did not exercise, for whatever reason, for as long as 62 days from November 28, 2006 through March 2007. Essentially, plaintiff alleges that he was being punished for his role in the inmate on officer violence. Because the period of deprivation reflected in the RDAs is longer than that which the Ninth Circuit has held to meet the objective standard, and because the parties dispute the reasons for the deprivation, plaintiff has raised a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether defendants impermissibly denied him outdoor exercise. The court will accordingly recommend that summary judgment be denied as to plaintiff's Eighth Amendment outdoor exercise claim.
Subjection of a prisoner to lack of sanitation that is severe or prolonged can constitute an infliction of pain within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment.
The denial of adequate clothing can also inflict pain under the Eighth Amendment.
In addition, indigent inmates have the right to personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes and soap.
Plaintiff has alleged that he was not provided with a fish kit, bedding and mattress for up to a week, that he was given clothing that had spit on it, that he was denied grooming tools, and that he was not allowed to exchange his laundry. Plaintiff also alleges that his sheets and blankets were stuffed in the toilet, and that there was toilet water on the floor of cell number 139 when he first entered. Plaintiff additionally alleges that he was not allowed to shower for five months. Again, the supposed factual backdrop to these deprivations were the alleged desire of defendants to punish plaintiff for his role in the inmate on officer violence.
Defendants allege that plaintiff was given his fish kit, mattress, and bed roll while in ad-seg, and deny plaintiff's allegations that he was given dirty clothing or not allowed to exchange his laundry. Defendants also allege that there was no visible indication of a toilet leak in plaintiff's cell. Finally, defendants allege that plaintiff was offered showers, but refused them.
The court's own review of the RDAs reflects that, in five months, plaintiff showered seven times, and refused to shower fifty-six times.
Considering all the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, the court finds that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether defendants denied plaintiff access to showers, adequate clothing, and adequate supplies, sufficient to inflict pain within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment. Accordingly, this court will recommend that defendants' motion for summary judgment be denied as to plaintiff's sanitation and personal hygiene claims.
Adequate food is a basic human need protected by the Eighth Amendment.
In this case, plaintiff has testified that he received no food on his dinner tray twenty times; that he received no breakfast three times; and that he received no main course twenty times. Defendants allege that they served plaintiff his dinners, and that they did not deny him a course or tamper with his food. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether defendants failed to provide plaintiff with adequate food. Accordingly, this court will recommend that defendants' motion for summary judgment be denied as to plaintiff's food claims.
Plaintiff alleges that defendants Kirkland and Aurich verbally harassed him continuously throughout his stay in administrative segregation in retaliation for inmate appeal forms that plaintiff filed.
Plaintiff also alleges that defendant Kirkland would kick plaintiff's door or use his flashlight to wake plaintiff during routine counts. Am. Comp. at 3(d); Pl. Dec. 8:2-5.
Verbal harassment or abuse alone is not sufficient to state a constitutional deprivation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
There are five basic elements for a viable claim of First Amendment retaliation in the prison context: (1) an assertion that state actor took some adverse action against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner's protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the inmate's exercise of his First Amendment rights or caused some other harm, and (5) the action did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.
However, as noted above, any abusive language or intentional harassment, if proven, would be probative of whether defendants were deliberately indifferent to the allegedly unconstitutional conditions of plaintiff's confinement. Accordingly, to the extent plaintiff is raising a harassment claim against defendants in connection with plaintiff's conditions of confinement, this court recommends that, as to such a claim, defendants' summary judgment motion be denied.
As to any claim that claims against defendants Kirkland and Aurich for their alleged harassment of plaintiff in violation of the First Amendment, this court will recommend that defendants' motion for summary judgment on such a claim be granted.
Plaintiff alleges, in his declaration but not in his complaint, that defendant Kirkland denied him access to the law library by throwing away plaintiff's law library request forms.
Prisoners have a constitutional right of access to the courts.
In order to establish a violation of a right of access to the courts, a prisoner must establish that he or she has suffered an actual injury.
In this case, plaintiff has alleged no injury at all. Instead, he claims only that he learned from the law librarian that defendant Kirkland threw away plaintiff's law library request forms. Pl. Dec. at 4:25-5:1. There is nothing in the record to indicate that plaintiff had pending or contemplated litigation, or that plaintiff was unable to meet a filing deadline or to present a claim. Accordingly, this court will recommend that summary judgment be granted on plaintiff's law library access claims.
Plaintiff alleges generally that defendant Kissinger threw away his outgoing legal mail, and specifically that defendant Kissinger read in plaintiff's presence a complaint letter written by plaintiff to the "Inspector General" in Sacramento. Plaintiff claims that defendant Kissinger "refuse to sign the legal mail" and then failed to mail the letter.
Generally, prisoners have a First Amendment right to send and to receive mail.
For example, prison officials may, consistent with the First Amendment, open mail in the presence of the prisoner for visual inspection.
Reviewing the disputed facts in the light most favorable to plaintiff, a defendant is entitled to qualified immunity for the opening of legal mail outside the presence of the inmate (here plaintiff).
Plaintiff alleges that "C/O Kirkland has at time not given me my mails." Am. Comp. at 3(b); and that "[s]ome time C/O Kirkland would not give me my mail. He would actually hold onto my mails and dispose of it." Pl. Dec. at 5:12-14.
Plaintiff provides no factual basis for his allegations. For example, plaintiff does not tell the court how he is aware of mail that he did not receive, or how he is able to allege that defendant Kirkland disposed of his mail. While the court is sensitive to its obligation to treat the pro se plaintiff's allegations liberally, in this instance, the allegation appears to be nothing more than conjecture or speculation, and should be dismissed.
Accordingly, this court will recommend that defendants be granted summary judgment as to plaintiff's mail claims.
Plaintiff alleges that defendants conducted retaliatory searches of his cell and that they threw away or confiscated items without giving plaintiff a receipt. Pl. Dec. at 5:2-12; Am. Comp. at 3(b). Plaintiff does not dispute that HDSP's operational procedures required officers to conduct cell inspections once a week in ad-seg. Although not specifically articulated, plaintiff appears to allege that his cell was searched in violation of the First and Fourth Amendments and that his property was improperly confiscated in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Prisoners have no Fourth Amendment right of privacy in their cells.
Where a prisoner alleges the deprivation of a liberty or property interest in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, caused by the unauthorized negligent or intentional action of a prison official, the prisoner cannot state a constitutional claim where the state provides an adequate post-deprivation remedy.
California provides such a remedy for prisoners.
Plaintiff alleges that defendant Kirkland searched plaintiff's cell "in retaliation for me having wrote numerous CDC 602 Inmate Appeal form about C/O Kirkland misconducts." Pl. Dec. 5:15-16; Am. Comp. at 3(b). Plaintiff alleges that "[e]very time I'd turn in a 602, my cell would get searched within that week or within three days. . ." Dep. Tr. 61:9-11.
As noted above, there are five basic elements for a viable claim of First Amendment retaliation in the prison context: (1) an assertion that state actor took some adverse action against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner's protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the inmate's exercise of his First Amendment rights or caused some other harm, and (5) the action did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.
Plaintiff has made a sufficient (barely) showing in terms of material issues of fact which preclude judgment in defendant Kirkland's favor.
Accordingly, this court will recommend that defendants be granted summary judgment on plaintiff's claims that defendants searched plaintiff's cell in violation of his First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Plaintiff alleges that defendant Garate knew of the alleged misconduct of the other defendants, but did nothing to stop it.
Liability under 42 U.S.C. § 193 arises only upon a showing of personal participation by the defendant.
As noted above, there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether defendants violated plaintiff's Eighth Amendment rights. Plaintiff has alleged that defendant Garate participated in the alleged deprivations, and also that defendant Garate was aware of the misconduct of the other defendants but did nothing to stop it. Accordingly, there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether defendant Garate is additionally liable as a supervisor, and this court will recommend that defendants' motion for summary judgment be denied as to plaintiff's supervisory liability claim.
Defendants assert that they are immune from suit under the "qualified immunity" doctrine. Generally, government officials performing discretionary functions are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.
In determining whether a government officer is immune from suit based on the doctrine of qualified immunity, the court must answer two questions. The first is, do the facts alleged show that the officer's conduct violated a constitutional right?
In this case, (with the exception of legal mail opening) there are at least genuine issues of material fact with respect to plaintiff's claim that defendants subjected him to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Furthermore, the law outlined above was clearly established when all of the actions relevant to plaintiff's claims took place. Therefore, defendants are not immune from plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claims under the doctrine of qualified immunity.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
1. Defendants' motion for summary judgment be denied as to plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claims against all defendants, as to plaintiff's supervisory liability claims against defendant Garate, and the Kirkland cell search retaliation claim; and be granted as to all remaining claims.
2. Plaintiff be ordered to file his pre-trial statement within 30 days of any order adopting the foregoing findings and recommendations, and that defendants be ordered to file their pre-trial statement within 21 days after service of plaintiff's.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within fourteen days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order.
According to defendant Kirkland, defendants were required to keep and maintain a record of daily activity (the "RDAs") for inmates housed in ad-seg. Kirkland Decl. ¶ 19. The RDAs are made and kept in the ordinary course of business.
