Walker v. Dinkins et al (INMATE2)

Filing 6

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS that the complaint be DISMISSED with prejudice prior to service of process under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii); Objections to R&R due by 7/6/2009. Signed by Honorable Wallace Capel, Jr on 6/23/2009. (cc, )

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT F O R THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA N O R T H E R N DIVISION _____________________________ L O R E N Z O E. WALKER, #164 121 P l a in tif f , v. C .O . T. DINKINS, et al., D e f e n d a n ts . _____________________________ * * * * * 2:09-CV-423-TMH (WO) R E C O M M E N D A T I O N OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE P l ain tif f , an inmate proceeding pro se, is currently confined at the Easterling C o rre c tio n a l Facility located in Clio, Alabama. In this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action, he complains a b o u t events which occurred on March 11, 2009 during his confinement at the Kilby C o rre c tio n a l Facility located in Mt. Meigs, Alabama. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that D ef en d an ts violated his constitutional rights by requiring him to "navigate" a flight of stairs s o a k e d with water and debris while he was handcuffed behind his back. Plaintiff asserts that D e f e n d a n ts conspired to cover up the incident by placing sandpaper on the stairs several days la te r . Named as defendants are Correctional Officers T. Dinkins and F. Fenn, Lieutenant M a r k Lowman, and Sergeant Richard Smith. Plaintiff seeks damages from the named d e f e n d a n ts in their individual and official capacities. Upon consideration of the complaint, the court concludes that its dismissal prior to serv ice of process is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).1 D IS C U S S IO N P la in tif f files this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging a violation of his constitutional rig h ts as a result of having to contend with a flight of 20 stairs "soaked with water and d eb ris" while his hands were cuffed behind his back. Although housed on the ground floor, P la in tif f asserts that he was required to go upstairs to shower. Plaintiff makes no allegation th a t his brief ascent and descent of the water and debris-soaked stairs caused him any injury. (D o c . No. 1.) To the extent Plaintiff contends that having to maneuver up and down wet and littered stairs while handcuffed subjected him to cruel and unusual punishment, such claim is without m e rit. The Eighth Amendment proscribes those conditions of confinement which involve th e wanton and unnecessary infliction of pain. Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S. 337 (1981). O n l y actions which deny inmates "the minimal civilized measure of life's necessities" are g ra v e enough to violate the Eighth Amendment. Id. at 347; see also Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U .S . 294 (1991); see also Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837-839 (1994). In this case, Plaintiff's claims, at best, show only a lack of due care by prison officials w h i c h is not actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The protections of the Constitution "are just A prisoner who is allowed to proceed in forma pauperis in this court will have his complaint screened in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). This screening procedure requires the court to dismiss a prisoner's civil action prior to service of process if it determines that the complaint is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii). 1 2 n o t triggered by lack of due care by prison officials." Davidson v. Cannon, 474 U.S. 344, 3 4 8 (1986); Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 333 (1986); see also Whitley v. Albers, 475 U .S . at 319 (holding that a violation of the Eighth Amendment must involve "more than an o rdin ary lack of due care for the prisoner's . . . .safety"). B a se d on the foregoing, the court concludes that the actions about which Plaintiff c o m p la in s , without more, do not rise to the level of a constitutional violation and, therefore, p ro v id e no basis for relief in this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. Plaintiff's complaint is, therefore, d u e to be dismissed pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). C O N C L U SIO N A c c o rd in g ly, it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that the c o m p la in t be DISMISSED with prejudice prior to service of process under 28 U.S.C. § 1 9 1 5 (e )( 2 )( B )( ii) . It is further ORDERED that on or before July 6, 2009 the parties shall file any objections to the R e c o m m e n d a tio n . Any objections filed must specifically identify the findings in the M a g is tra te Judge's Recommendation to which a party objects. Frivolous, conclusive or g e n e ra l objections will not be considered by the District Court. The parties are advised that th is Recommendation is not a final order of the court and, therefore, it is not appealable. F a ilu re to file written objections to the proposed findings and advisements in the M a g is tra te Judge's Recommendation shall bar the party from a de novo determination by the 3 D is tric t Court of issues covered in the Recommendation and shall bar the party from a tta c k in g on appeal factual findings in the Recommendation accepted or adopted by the D is tric t Court except upon grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v. W a in w r ig h t, 677 F.2d 404 (5 th Cir. 1982). See Stein v. Reynolds Securities, Inc., 667 F.2d 3 3 (11 th Cir. 1982). See also Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11 th Cir. 1981) (en b a n c ), adopting as binding precedent all of the decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed d o w n prior to the close of business on September 30, 1981. Done, this 23rd day of June 2009. /s/ Wallace Capel, Jr. WALLACE CAPEL, JR. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 4

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