STANLEY A. BOONE, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Harvey Curtis Baker ("Plaintiff") is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
On January 27, 2012, Plaintiff filed this action. This action is proceeding on Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint ("FAC") against Defendant S. Moore ("Defendant") for deliberate indifference in violation of the Eighth Amendment for an incident that occurred on March 19, 2010.
On September 25, 2014, Plaintiff filed a request for a subpoena duces tecum to request certain documents from third party California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR"). (ECF No. 75.) On March 4, 2015, the Court denied Plaintiff's motion for issuance of a subpoena duces tecum, and directed Defendant's counsel, within twenty-one days of the date of service of that order, to review the request for documents attached to Plaintiff's motion for subpoena duces tecum and inform Plaintiff in writing whether there may be responsive documents in CDCR's possession, custody, or control that were withheld from Plaintiff on the contention that such documents were not within the possession, custody, or control of Defendant. (ECF No. 81.)
On May 29, 2015, Plaintiff filed a request to postpone discovery cut-off, dispositive motion, and trial dates due to Defendant's non-compliance with the Court's prior order. (ECF No. 82.) On July 31, 2015, the Court ordered counsel for Defendant to coordinate with CDCR to provide a response to Plaintiff's requests as if they had been served with a formal subpoena. (ECF No. 87.) On August 12, 2015, Plaintiff served a Request for Production on Defendant for response by CDCR. (ECF No. 95 at 46-47.)
On October 19, 2015, Plaintiff filed his second motion for an extension of time to file his opposition to Defendant's motion for summary judgment and indicated that he would be filing a motion to compel discovery "very soon." (ECF No. 93.) On October 22, 2015, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file any motion to compel regarding Defendant's response to Plaintiff's discovery request by November 20, 2015. (ECF No. 94.)
On October 23, 2015, Plaintiff filed a motion to compel. (ECF No. 95.) On November 12, 2015, Defendant filed an opposition to Plaintiff's motion to compel. (ECF No. 98.) On November 24, 2015, Plaintiff filed a reply in support of his motion to compel. (ECF No. 101.)
At all times relevant to this action, Plaintiff was a prisoner within the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR") and incarcerated at California State Prison-Pleasant Valley ("PVSP"). (FAC ¶ 4.) Defendant is a correctional officer at PVSP. (Compl. ¶ 5.)
Plaintiff alleges that PVSP B-Yard had been on a "lockdown, modified program" for two years prior to the incident alleged in Plaintiff's complaint. (FAC ¶ 6.) Under this program, all "Bulldog Prisoners" were to be placed in restraints before exiting any cell or holding tank and be escorted. (FAC ¶ 7.) Plaintiff alleges that it was well known that Bulldog Prisoners were assaulting any and all "white unaffiliated prisoners" on sight at any opportunity. (FAC ¶¶ 8-9.) Plaintiff alleges that Bulldog Prisoners were to be segregated from white prisoners at all times during the lock-down modified program. (FAC ¶ 10.) Plaintiff was a white unaffiliated prisoner. (FAC ¶ 11.)
On March 19, 2010, Plaintiff was being escorted to the correctional treatment center for a surgery appointment. (FAC ¶ 11.) Upon his arrival at the treatment center, Plaintiff was placed inside a "B-yard holding tank" which consisted of a mail cell and three small adjacent cells attached to the main cell. (FAC ¶ 14.) In an adjacent cell to the left, there were three Bulldog Prisoners. (FAC ¶ 15.)
Fifteen minutes after Plaintiff's arrival, Defendant went to the adjacent cell holding the three Bulldog Prisoners and opened the cell without placing restraints on the prisoners. (FAC ¶ 17.) Defendant then yelled "BULLDOGS" and the three Bulldog Prisoners ran past her and into the main holding tank where Plaintiff was held. (FAC ¶ 18.) Defendant did nothing to stop the Bulldog Prisoners, who proceeded to attack Plaintiff. (FAC ¶ 19.) At some point in time, other correctional officers arrive at the scene and began to beat all the prisoners involved in the scuffle, including Plaintiff. (FAC ¶ 21.) Plaintiff was also pepper sprayed. (FAC ¶ 21.) Plaintiff was not fighting back or resisting the correctional officers. (FAC ¶ 22.)
Plaintiff alleges that he received a head injury, facial disfigurement of his right eye, sutures and severe scarring above his left eye, blurred vision in both eyes, upper bridge displacement with severe lacerations to the inside of the mouth, lower back trauma with ongoing extreme pain, right hand dysfunction with continuing extreme pain, mental trauma, including paranoia, hearing voices, unjustified mistrust of others, believing everyone is out to do harm, and believing all correctional officers are out to set up and place bets on staged gladiator fights, severe headaches, continuous suffering and pain from the physical injuries and shame, humiliation, degradation, emotional embarrassment, and mental distress, and irreparable harm. (FAC ¶¶ 23, 27.)
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant "failed to follow CDCR policies and procedures related to prisoner safety during a lockdown modified program situation, as she was trained to do to, and as a result she violated plaintiff's right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment." (FAC ¶ 37.) Plaintiff also alleges that Defendant "knew or should have known that her conduct, attitudes, and actions created an unreasonable risk of serious harm for [P]laintiff." (FAC ¶ 52.)
Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and he is a state prisoner challenging his conditions of confinement. As a result, the parties were relieved of some of the requirements which would otherwise apply, including initial disclosure and the need to meet and confer in good faith prior to involving the Court in a discovery dispute. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c); Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(1); Local Rule 251; ECF No. 74, Discovery and Scheduling Order, &4.
The discovery process is subject to the overriding limitation of good faith, and callous disregard of discovery responsibilities cannot be condoned.
Generally, if the responding party objects to a discovery request, the party moving to compel bears the burden of demonstrating why the objections are not justified.
Plaintiff moves to compel Defendant to further answer Plaintiff's Request for Production, specifically, Requests 1-5, 8-10, and 19-23, and Plaintiff requests Defendant's training materials. In opposition, Defendant has explained the objections and set forth the documents initially and/or subsequently produced in response to Plaintiff's requests. Plaintiff's Request for Production did not include a request for Defendant's training materials. Plaintiff first made this request in his motion to compel. Therefore, Petitioner's request for Defendant's training materials is DENIED.
Because Plaintiff's Requests 1 through 4 are for similar documents, the parties assert the same arguments in support of their respective positions as to each Request for Production, and the Court's ruling applies equally to Plaintiff's Requests 1 through 4, the Court will rule on these requests as a whole instead of ruling on them individually. For the same reasons, the Court will rule on Plaintiff's Requests 9 and 10 together, and then also rule on Requests 20 and 21 together.
All PVSP intra-institutional memoranda, including directives to Correctional Officers via Post Order(s), Captain's Reports, Warden's Notes, Program Status Memos, or any other written source, which document, describe, detail, or react via policy decision, to the aftermath of the triggering event, including lockdown order(s) or modified program order(s), until all modifications to normal prison programs and activities, put in place as a result of the triggering event, were ceased.
Plaintiff "wants each day's security status of the prison—stated in writing—as it is was there, each day, to notify staff—and [Plaintiff] SEEKS to document how that status changed, from day to day, from the triggering event forward to the date of the incident, when [Plaintiff] was attacked." (ECF No. 101 at 7.) The event that triggered the modified program was a riot that occurred on July 16, 2009 involving Bulldogs and other inmates. Plaintiff seeks information about why the lockdown was ongoing for the Bulldog prisoners and what else they did after the triggering event that made it go on for so long. Plaintiff wants this information in order to show that Defendant had notifications about how to perform her job duties during the lockdown or modified program. Plaintiff notes that he is no longer a prisoner at PVSP, so if he has access to Parts A and C of the PSR, there will be no impact on safety at PVSP.
Notwithstanding Defendant's objections, Defendant produced PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248, Part B, dated July 16, 2009. (ECF No. 95 at 29.) Defendant indicates that PSR Part B describes the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs from the triggering event on July 16, 2009 until after the March 19, 2010 incident, but does not contain any confidential information. Defendant argues in her opposition to Plaintiff's motion to compel that "PSR Part B contains the orders for Bulldog escorts from the triggering event to the day of the incident." (ECF No. 98 at 7.)
Where otherwise discoverable information would pose a threat to the safety and security of the prison or infringe upon a protected privacy interest, a need may arise for the Court to balance interests in determining whether disclosure should occur.
Part B of the PSRs show whether the program is normal, modified, lockdown, or state of emergency, the area affected, the race of inmates affected, the reason for the program change, and information about restrictions to movement, feeding, ducats, visiting, workers, showers, medical, legal library, dayroom, recreation, canteen, packages, phone calls, and religious services. Whether Bulldog inmates had restrictions from July 16, 2009 until March 19, 2010, is relevant to Plaintiff's claim. Whether Defendant was aware that Bulldog inmates were a threat to white inmates is a fact that is relevant to establishing that Defendant should be held liable to Plaintiff. Although Defendant argues in her motion for summary judgment that PSRs were not posted in the CTC or given to CTC Correctional Staff in 2010, what information was available to CDCR employees at the prison may be relevant to Plaintiff's claim because it is relevant to what Defendant knew about the lockdown restrictions to Bulldog inmates, especially in light of Defendant admitting that she knew that Bulldogs were on lockdown. Therefore, the information that Plaintiff seeks is relevant.
Defendant produced PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248, Part B, dated July 16, 2009. (ECF No. 95 at 29.) The Court notes that there may be additional Part B pages of PSRs between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which describe the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs as a result of the July 16, 2009 triggering event. These PSR Part B pages are relevant because they may contain orders for Bulldog escorts between the July 16, 2009 triggering event and the date that Plaintiff was attacked. To the extent that there are additional Part B pages of PSRs between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which describe the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs as a result of the July 16, 2009 triggering event, even if they are identical to the Part B page that Defendant has already produced, Defendant should produce these Part B pages.
As to Plaintiff's request for Parts A and C of PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248, such documentation is confidential, as set forth in the declaration of Geringer. (Geringer Decl., ECF No. 95 at 68-69.) Plaintiff is not entitled to production of confidential PSR parts because, as explained by Geringer, disclosure of such information would pose a threat to the safety and security of institutional staff, inmates, or the public. As the objections asserted by Defendant to Parts A and C are valid, and Defendant has submitted a good faith response to this Request, the Court will not require Defendant to produce Parts A and C. In addition, any Part B pages that the Court is ordering Defendant to produce should reveal any changes to the modified program of Yard B during the relevant time period. Plaintiff is advised that the Court can and will review any relevant confidential documentation if necessary to properly address his claim.
Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production Nos. 1-4 is GRANTED IN PART, DENIED IN PART. Defendant shall produce a copy of all of the Part B pages of PSRs between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which describe the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs as a result of the July 16, 2009 triggering event.
"Respondent CDCR states that it is unable to comply with Request for Production No. 5 because the documents requested have never existed."
Plaintiff argues that Defendant has provided proof that such documents do exist by providing Part B of PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248. Plaintiff seeks the documents that Defendant read, from the triggering event to the date of the incident, about who and who should not be allowed to intermingle without mechanical restraints due to ongoing emergency conditions. Alternatively, Plaintiff seeks a stipulation that each and every day Defendant entered PVSP, from the triggering event to the date of the incident, she was apprised in writing who and who should not be allowed to intermingle without mechanical restraints due to ongoing emergency conditions. Defendant argues that Plaintiff's argument fails because neither PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248, nor any other document states that correctional staff was to prevent any co-mingling of white and segregated bulldog inmates, absent mechanical restraints (handcuffs). Geringer states that the described documents in this request do not exist. (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 1.)
Plaintiff offers no facts, only speculation that such documents do exist. PSR PVP-FBP-09-07-0248 Part B, dated July 16, 2009, does not indicate that PVSP staff was to prevent any co-mingling of white and segregated bulldog inmates absent handcuffs. (ECF No. 95 at 66.) At this juncture, Defendant's representation that documents regarding written orders to PVSP staff that stated correctional staff was to prevent any co-mingling of white and segregated bulldog inmates, absent handcuffs, from the date of the triggering event, to the time of the incident, does not exist must be accepted at face value. Absent evidence to the contrary, not present here, Plaintiff is required to accept Defendant's representation that such documentation either does not exist or cannot be located, and Defendant cannot be compelled to provide copies of documents that do not exist. However, Defendant is advised of her duty to supplement disclosure if such documentation is discovered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)(A). Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production No. 5 is DENIED.
"Plaintiff seeks: Any and all documents that describe procedures and practices relating to the escort and handling of inmates at PVSP during a lockdown or modified program."
Plaintiff states that his request cannot be overbroad as to time unless the policies changed between the dates at issue, the triggering event and the date of the incident. Plaintiff argues that he is seeking CDCR "definitions" that describe what level of escort and security were at each stage from the triggering event to the date of the incident. Plaintiff also argues that the documents that he seeks are in "plain view" each day for inmates to see. Geringer states that the "level of escort security" for the Bulldogs from the trigging event to the day of the incident is set forth in PSR Part B. (Geringer Decl., ECF No. 95 at 70-71.) Thus, Defendant argues that she has produced the documents which show what the level of security was during the relevant time period and there is nothing further to produce.
To the extent that Plaintiff seeks documents after the incident on March 19, 2010, the documents are not relevant to whether Defendant violated Plaintiff's civil rights in connection with this incident. It appears that Plaintiff is stating that the only time period that he seeks the procedures and practices relating to the escort and handling of inmates at PVSP during a lockdown or modified program for is between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which is relevant to whether Defendant violated Plaintiff's civil rights in connection with this incident.
As the Court stated above, the Court finds that disclosure of Parts A and C could jeopardize the safety and security of the institution and the general public, but orders Defendant to produce a copy of all of the Part B pages of PSRs between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which describe the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs as a result of the July 16, 2009 triggering event. Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production No. 8 is GRANTED IN PART, DENIED IN PART. Defendant shall produce a copy of all of the Part B pages of PSRs between July 16, 2009 and March 19, 2010, which describe the program governing the Fresno Bulldogs as a result of the July 16, 2009 triggering event.
"All photos taken, of any party to the incident, on the date of the incident."
"All photos, taken on the date of the incident or after, during the investigation of the incident, including pictures of the area of the incident."
"Respondent CDCR states that it has made a reasonable search and inquiry and it is unable to comply with Request For Production No. 9 [and 10] because the documents requested have never existed."
Plaintiff argues that he knows that photos were taken because he was there. Plaintiff argues that only somebody not involved with prison litigation would believe that this incident occurred without photos. Plaintiff states in his reply that if he could show that the officers who used force on him had a recent history of using excessive force on others, then it would be more likely that they used excessive force on him. Defendant argues that there are no photos of any party to the incident, on the date of the incident, and that there is no indication from the incident report or any other document that photos were taken in regards to the incident. Geringer states that it would not be unusual for no photos to be taken because the incident occurred under multiple staff's direct observation, the Medical Report of injury (CDC form No. 7219) documented all injuries sustained as a result of the incident, and there were no inmate weapons involved. (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 2.) Also, Geringer states that the Correctional Treatment Center ("CTC") did not have video surveillance in 2010, so there are no videos of the incident. (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 2.)
Plaintiff has not demonstrated that Defendant's response is deficient or incomplete. Absent evidence to the contrary, which is not present here, Plaintiff is required to accept Defendant's response that there are no photographs regarding the incident. However, Defendant is advised of her duty to supplement disclosure if such photographs are discovered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)(A). Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production Nos. 9-10 is DENIED.
Plaintiff argues that there actually are documents in response to these requests, because he is personally aware of one attack by Bulldogs on a white inmate during the lockdown or modified program and is informed that one other attack occurred as well. Defendant argues that Plaintiff has been misinformed that Bulldogs attacked other inmates twice during the relevant time period. Defendant also argues that Plaintiff's belief is based on unsubstantiated hearsay. Geringer states that there were no other attacks by Bulldog inmates on white inmates from the date of the triggering event to the date of the incident. (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 2.)
Although Plaintiff argues that there actually are documents in response to this request, Plaintiff must accept Defendant's response that there never have been any documents relating to this request. Plaintiff's bare assertion in his motion that there actually are documents regarding this request and that Defendant and CDCR did not locate all documents is baseless. However, Defendant is advised of her duty to supplement disclosure if such documentation is discovered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)(A). Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production No. 19 is DENIED.
Plaintiff seeks evidence that shows what supervisors would have been telling line correctional staff, such as to watch out for incidents like what happened to Plaintiff. Plaintiff also seeks CDCR's warning to the prisons after the Bulldogs attacked people while segregated. Plaintiff asserts that he is entitled to documents proving that the Bulldogs and other gangs were the subject of warnings to prisons from CDCR Headquarters about attacks of other groups even while segregated. Defendant argues that Plaintiff has been misinformed that Bulldogs attacked other inmates twice during the relevant time period. Defendant also argues that Plaintiff's belief is based on unsubstantiated hearsay. Geringer states that there were no other attacks by Bulldog inmates on white inmates from the date of the triggering event to the date of the incident. (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 2.)
Although Plaintiff argues that there actually are documents in response to these requests, Plaintiff must accept Defendant's response that there never have been any documents relating to Plaintiff's bare assertion in his motion that there actually are documents regarding this request. However, Defendant is advised of her duty to supplement disclosure if such documentation is discovered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)(A). Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production Nos. 20-21 is DENIED.
"Provide a roster, list, daily movement sheet, or other report documenting all inmates placed in, or removed from, the Yard B Holding Cell, at the location where the incident occurred, on the date of the incident."
Plaintiff states that he is seeking who was in the holding cell. Defendant argues that the incident occurred in the CTC holding cell, not the "Facility B Holding Cell." (Geringer Supp. Decl., ECF No. 98-1 at 2-3.) Defendant states that the CTC has only one holding cell, with several sub-cells. (
Plaintiff has provided no proof to show that these records are kept electronically or that there still is a copy of them in existence. However, Defendant is advised of her duty to supplement disclosure if such documentation is discovered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e)(1)(A). Therefore, as these records have been destroyed, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production No. 22 is DENIED.
"Provide a full copy of plaintiffs medical file?"
Plaintiff argues that he does not have the equal access to his medical file claimed by Defendant. Plaintiff states that "the odds of plaintiff even being scheduled for a prompt review of his file is a crapshoot, let alone hours to review it being provided (with staff supervision of court)." (ECF No. 101 at 17.) Defendant argues that Plaintiff has the opportunity to review his medical records and that Plaintiff has not produced any evidence that he has not been able to review his medical records. Also, Defendant argues that Plaintiff's request for all his medical records is overbroad, because there are 950 pages of medical records in Plaintiff's file and not all are relevant to this action.
Although Plaintiff thinks that he will not be scheduled for a prompt review of his medical file, that does not mean that he does not have the opportunity to review his medical file. Plaintiff has not submitted a request to his Correctional Counselor to review his medical file. Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to compel a further response to Request for Production No. 23 is DENIED.
Plaintiff also states that the Court should appoint counsel if there are concerns that he cannot view this confidential information because of his status as a prisoner. There is no constitutional right to appointed counsel in this action,
Without a reasonable method of securing and compensating counsel, the court will seek volunteer counsel only in the most serious and exceptional cases. In determining whether "exceptional circumstances exist, the district court must evaluate both the likelihood of success on the merits [and] the ability of the [plaintiff] to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved."
In the present case, the Court finds that neither the interests of justice nor exceptional circumstances warrant appointment of counsel at this time.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
IT IS SO ORDERED.
