KENDALL J. NEWMAN, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding without counsel, with a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the court is defendants' motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 257.) For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned recommends that defendants' motion be granted in part and denied in part.
Summary judgment is appropriate when it is demonstrated that the standard set forth in Federal Rule of Civil procedure 56 is met. "The court shall 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).
Under summary judgment practice, the moving party always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any," which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.
"Where the nonmoving party bears the burden of proof at trial, the moving party need only prove that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case."
Consequently, 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 exists.
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 a 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.
By contemporaneous notice provided on September 13, 2010 (ECF No. 28), plaintiff was advised of the requirements for opposing a motion brought pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
This action is proceeding on the fifth amended complaint filed November 14, 2014. (ECF No. 171.) Plaintiff alleges that defendants failed to provide him with adequate mental health care for paraphilia, exhibitionism and voyeurism, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.
The defendants in this action are Howlin, Belavich, Sirkin, Wynn, Silva and Spearman. At the time plaintiff filed the fifth amended complaint, defendant Belavich was the Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program. The other defendants are employed at the Correctional Training Facility ("CTF"), where plaintiff was incarcerated when he filed the fifth amended complaint. Plaintiff is still incarcerated at CTF.
To succeed on an Eighth Amendment claim predicated on the denial of medical care, or mental health care, a plaintiff must establish that he had a serious medical need and that the defendant's response to that need was deliberately indifferent.
A physician need not fail to treat an inmate altogether in order to violate that inmate's Eighth Amendment rights.
It is well established that mere differences of opinion concerning the appropriate treatment cannot be the basis of an Eighth Amendment violation.
Plaintiff argues that he suffers from paraphilia, exhibitionism and voyeurism. Defendants first argue that paraphilia is not included within the diagnostic categories of serious mental illnesses that would allow transfer of an inmate to the Department of State Hospitals ("DSH"), and DSH would neither accept nor treat plaintiff for paraphilia. (
The undersigned understands paraphilia to be an "umbrella" term that includes people with abnormal sexual behaviors, such as exhibitionism and voyeurism.
Defendants next argue that plaintiff has latent exhibitionism and latent voyeurism, which do not qualify as serious medical needs. In support of this claim, defendants cite the declaration of R. Schwartz, a psychologist at CTF. (ECF No. 257-10.) Dr. Schwartz served as plaintiff's clinician at CTF from June 2, 2015, until September 18, 2015. (
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Citing Dr. Schwartz's declaration, defendants argue that because plaintiff's exhibitionism and voyeurism are in remission, he does not require treatment for these conditions. Defendants argue that if plaintiff exhibited tendencies toward indecent exposure, he could be placed in a specific treatment program. Accordingly, defendants argue, plaintiff cannot show the existence of a serious medical need that has not been addressed.
In his opposition, plaintiff admits that he has not "outwardly exhibited symptoms of exhibitionism and voyeurism while incarcerated." (ECF No. 269 at 5.) However, he argues that these conditions qualify as serious medical needs because they require treatment despite being in remission. In support of this argument, plaintiff has attached two psychological reports to his opposition.
The first report, prepared by Dr. Mohandie, is dated April 25, 2001. (
The second psychological report, prepared by Clinical Psychologist Stamatia Daraglou for CDCR, is dated July 24, 2013. (
Dr. Daraglou also states that during her examination of plaintiff, he denied exposing himself in prison, but stated that he was certain he would expose himself to someone in his victim pool. (
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Dr. Daraglou also states that, "[w]hile in the community, he released his anxiety by peeping and masturbating and it is likely that he does not have other avenues of coping while incarcerated." (
After reviewing Dr. Schwartz's declaration and the reports by Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou, the undersigned finds that whether plaintiff's latent exhibitionism and latent voyeurism constitute serious medical needs are disputed material facts. "Examples of serious medical needs include `[t]he existence of an injury that a reasonable doctor or patient would find important and worthy of comment or treatment, the presence of a medical condition that significantly affects an individual's daily activities; or the existence of chronic and substantial pain.'"
Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou do not dispute that plaintiff's voyeurism and exhibitionism are latent, i.e., plaintiff does not engage in these activities while incarcerated. Defendants argue that these latent conditions do not constitute serious medical needs because, according to Dr. Schwartz, they do not affect plaintiff's day-to-day life in prison. In contrast, both Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou found these latent conditions to be worthy of comment. In addition, both Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou found that plaintiff should receive treatment for these specific conditions. In other words, Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou did not find that these conditions did not require treatment because they were in remission. The findings by Dr. Mohandie and Dr. Daraglou suggest that these latent conditions may constitute serious medical health needs. Based on this conflicting evidence, the undersigned finds that whether plaintiff's latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism constitute serious medical needs are materially disputed facts.
Turning to the subjective prong of an Eighth Amendment claim for inadequate mental health treatment, defendants argue that they did not act with deliberate indifference because they did not deny plaintiff mental health treatment. Defendants argue that while he was housed at CTF, plaintiff was seen by mental health professionals approximately twice weekly. (
Defendants' treatment of plaintiff's other mental health conditions does not mean that they did not act with deliberate indifference by failing to treat plaintiff's latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism, assuming these conditions constituted serious medical needs. Defendants offer no evidence that their treatment of plaintiff's other mental health issues adequately addressed his latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism.
Plaintiff alleges that he had a serious medical/mental health need, which defendants failed to treat. Based on the facts alleged, plaintiff is alleging more than a difference of opinion regarding treatment. Because of the disputed material facts regarding these claims, defendants' motion for summary judgment on the grounds that they did not act with deliberate indifference should be denied.
Defendants argue that they are not personally liable for any of plaintiff's alleged injuries.
The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides as follows:
42 U.S.C. § 1983. The statute requires that there be an actual connection or link between the actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by plaintiff.
Moreover, supervisory personnel are generally not liable under § 1983 for the actions of their employees under a theory of respondeat superior and, therefore, when a named defendant holds a supervisorial position, the causal link between him and the claimed constitutional violation must be specifically alleged.
Defendants argue that other than being listed as a defendant, plaintiff's complaint does not mention defendant Belavich. Defendants also state that defendant Belavich, who was the Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program when plaintiff filed this action, is no longer employed with CDCR. (ECF No. 257-5.) Defendant Belavich served as the Deputy Director from March 2012 to January 8, 2016. (
In his unverified opposition, plaintiff argues that defendant Belavich, as the Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program, was responsible for what mental health programs were offered at CDCR. (ECF No. 269 at 3.) In the reply to the opposition, defendants argue that these allegations are not in plaintiff's complaint, and it is improper for him to assert them in his opposition.
The undersigned has reviewed plaintiff's complaint and agrees with defendants that it does not mention defendant Belavich other than listing him as a defendant. In addition, plaintiff's opposition contains no evidence supporting his claim that defendant Belavich was responsible for the policy or practice pursuant to which latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism are not treated.
Plaintiff may not amend his complaint to state his allegations against defendant Belavich by way of his opposition to defendants' summary judgment motion.
In recommending summary judgment for defendant Belavich, the undersigned acknowledges that in certain cases, it is appropriate to infer authority based on a person's employment title.
Defendants argue that defendant Howlin, the Chief Psychologist at CTF, has never treated plaintiff for any medical condition. (ECF No. 257-6.) In his declaration, defendant Howlin states that, to the best of his recollection, the only interaction he had with plaintiff occurred on January 30, 2015. (
In his opposition, plaintiff admits that defendant Howlin did not ever treat him. (ECF No. 269 at 3.) Plaintiff argues that defendant Howlin is liable for plaintiff's failure to receive treatment for exhibitionism and voyeurism based on Howlin's response to the grievance discussed by defendant Howlin in his declaration. Plaintiff also cites an interdisciplinary progress note signed by defendant Howlin on January 30, 2015, attached to plaintiff's opposition. In this note, defendant Howlin wrote that plaintiff wanted a more specific program addressing exhibitionism and voyeurism. (
The undersigned observes that defendant Howlin's response to plaintiff's grievance and his interdisciplinary notes were made after plaintiff filed the fifth amended complaint on November 14, 2014. Therefore, these allegations should have been raised in a supplemental pleading.
However, in the verified fifth amended complaint, plaintiff alleges that he submitted CDCR 22 forms to defendant Howlin asking for treatment for exhibitionism and voyeurism. (ECF No. 171 at 11.)
Because defendants have not addressed plaintiff's claim that he asked defendant Howlin for treatment in CDCR 22 forms, the undersigned finds that defendants have not demonstrated that defendant Howlin did not fail to address plaintiff's requests for treatment. Accordingly, defendant Howlin's motion for summary judgment on the grounds that he did not address plaintiff's requests for treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism should be denied.
Defendants argue that defendant Sirkin, a senior psychiatrist at CTF, provided plaintiff with medical treatment only once on December 11, 2014. (ECF No. 257-4.) At that time, defendant Sirkin saw plaintiff because plaintiff wished to have all of his psychiatric medication discontinued. (
In his opposition, plaintiff argues that defendant Sirkin sat on plaintiff's Interdisciplinary Treatment Team ("ITT") on two occasions. In support of this claim, plaintiff has provided a mental health placement chrono dated May 21, 2015, containing defendant Sirkin's signature. (ECF No. 269 at 22.) Plaintiff has provided a second mental health placement chrono, dated August 13, 2015, containing defendant Sirkin's signature. (
Neither of the chronos described above mentions plaintiff's request for treatment for latent exhibitionism or latent voyeurism. However, in his verified declaration submitted in support of his opposition, plaintiff states that defendant Sirkin "knows what my issues are with regards to my exhibitionism and voyeurism because this was discussed at IDTT." (
In the reply, defendants observe that the ITT meetings plaintiff describes in his opposition occurred after he filed his fifth amended complaint on November 14, 2014. Because these events occurred after plaintiff filed his fifth amended complaint, they should have been raised in a supplemental pleading. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(d). Plaintiff may not supplement his complaint by way of his opposition to defendants' summary judgment motion. Accordingly, these allegations occurring after the filing of the fifth amended complaint will not be considered.
However, in the verified fifth amended complaint, plaintiff alleges that he submitted CDCR 22 forms to defendant Sirkin asking for treatment for voyeurism and exhibitionism. (ECF No. 171 at 11.)
Because defendants have not addressed plaintiff's claim that in CDCR 22 forms he asked defendant Sirkin for treatment, the undersigned finds that defendants have not demonstrated that defendant Sirkiin did not fail to address plaintiff's requests for treatment. Accordingly, defendant Sirkin's motion for summary judgment on the grounds that he did not address plaintiff's request for treatment should be denied.
Defendants argue that defendant Wynn, a senior psychologist supervisor at CTF, met with plaintiff on 6 occasions. (ECF No. 257-8.) On December 16, 2014, defendant Wynn met with plaintiff for a first level appeal interview. (
Based on the exhibits attached to plaintiff's opposition, it appears that the grievances in response to which defendant Wynn met with plaintiff in December 2014 included plaintiff's request for treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism. (ECF No. 269 at 88-90.) However, because these events occurred after plaintiff filed his fifth amended complaint, they should have been raised in a supplemental pleading. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(d). Plaintiff may not supplement his complaint by way of his opposition to defendants' summary judgment motion. Accordingly, these allegations occurring after the filing of the fifth amended complaint will not be considered.
The only allegation in the fifth amended complaint against defendant Wynn is that he is "aware of plaintiff's needs and desires for the treatment he is seeking." (ECF No. 171 at 12.) In the fifth amended complaint, plaintiff does not specifically allege how defendant Wynn had knowledge of his request for treatment. For this reason, and because plaintiff appears to base defendant Wynn's liability on events occurring after he filed the fifth amended complaint, defendant Wynn should be granted summary judgment on the grounds that plaintiff has not demonstrated Wynn's involvement in the alleged deprivations.
Defendants argue that defendants CTF Warden Spearman and Associate Warden Silva are custody staff who had no input regarding plaintiff's mental health treatment. In his declaration filed in support of the summary judgment motion, defendant Spearman states that custody staff, such as the Warden, Associate Wardens and Chief Deputy Wardens, have no authority to change mental health treatment for inmates. (ECF No. 257-9.) Decisions regarding inmate mental health care are made by the appropriate mental health staff. (
Because defendants Spearman and Silva, as custody staff, have no authority to change mental health treatment, they were not involved in the decisions to deny plaintiff's request for treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism. Accordingly, defendants Spearman and Silva should be granted summary judgment on this ground.
At the outset, the undersigned clarifies the scope of plaintiff's request for injunctive relief. Plaintiff is a member of the class action in
Voyeurism is not covered by
Thus, an order for injunctive relief in this action would be framed to apply to plaintiff only.
All that is required in an action for injunctive relief, such as the instant action, is to name an official who could appropriately respond to a court order on injunctive relief should one ever be issued.
However, because a suit against an official in his or her official capacity is a suit against the state, a practice, policy or procedure of the state must be at issue in a claim for official capacity injunctive relief.
It is clear that defendants Spearman and Silva, as custody staff, could not respond to a court order directing that plaintiff be provided treatment for latent exhibitionism and voyeurism. Accordingly, defendants Spearman and Silva should be granted summary judgment as to plaintiff's request for injunctive relief.
As mental health staff at CTF, defendants Sirkin and Howlin are capable of responding to a court order to provide plaintiff with treatment for latent exhibitionism and voyeurism. Accordingly, defendants' motion for summary judgment as to defendants Sirkin and Howlin regarding plaintiff's claim for injunctive relief should be denied.
The Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program is also capable of responding to a court order for injunctive relief. Because defendant Belavich is no longer employed in this position, his successor is automatically substituted as a defendant in his place.
Defendants also move for summary judgment on the grounds that they are entitled to qualified immunity. "Qualified immunity is an affirmative defense to damage liability; it does not bar actions for declaratory or injunctive relief."
Because the undersigned has above found that defendants Belavich, Wynn, Spearman and Silva should be granted summary judgment as to plaintiff's claim for damages, there is no need to address the issue of qualified immunity with respect to those defendants.
"The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials `from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.'"
"Qualified immunity is applicable unless the official's conduct violated a clearly established constitutional right."
"[U]nder either prong, courts may not resolve genuine disputes of fact in favor of the party seeking summary judgment," and must, as in other cases, view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant.
Considering the first prong of the qualified immunity test, for the reasons discussed above, the undersigned finds that defendants Sirkin and Howlin potentially violated plaintiff's Eighth Amendment right to adequate mental health treatment by failing to provide him with treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism.
The undersigned next considers whether a reasonable mental health official would have known that failing to provide plaintiff with treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism violated plaintiff's Eighth Amendment rights. Defendants argue that plaintiff received mental health treatment on a regular basis while housed at CTF and never exhibited symptoms of exhibitionism and voyeurism while incarcerated. Defendants argue that a reasonable medical professional in the positions of defendants would not have known that providing plaintiff with medical treatment beyond what was asked for and outside of the protocols of CDCR was constitutionally required.
The undersigned agrees with defendants that defendants Sirkin and Howlin would not have known that failing to provide plaintiff with treatment for latent exhibitionism and latent voyeurism violated plaintiff's Eighth Amendment rights because treatment for these conditions would have gone beyond what was asked for and outside of CDCR protocols. A reasonable prison mental health official, in defendants' position, would have reasonably relied on CDCR policy and practice, and would not have known that failing to provide plaintiff with treatment for latent voyeurism and latent exhibitionism violated the Eighth Amendment.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program who replaced defendant Belavich is substituted in his place as a defendant pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25; and
IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that defendants' summary judgment motion (ECF No. 257) be granted but for plaintiff's claim for injunctive relief against defendants Sirkin, Howlin and the Deputy Director of the CDCR Statewide Mental Health Program.
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 response to the objections shall be filed and served 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.