Rotondo v. Ryan et al

Filing 62

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER, the reference to the Magistrate is withdrawn as to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment; Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment 58 is granted; the Clerk must enter judgment accordingly and terminate the action. Signed by Judge Stephen M McNamee on 2/8/12.(REW)

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1 WO JDN 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Samuel Rudolph Rotondo, 10 Plaintiff, 11 vs. 12 Charles Ryan, et al., 13 Defendants 14 15 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) No. CV 10-0957-PHX-SMM (SPL) MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER Plaintiff Samuel Rudolph Rotondo filed a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. 16 17 § 1983 against multiple Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) officials (Doc. 1). 18 Before the Court is Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 58), to which 19 Plaintiff did not respond. The Court will grant Defendants’ motion and terminate the action. 20 21 22 I. Background Plaintiff’s claims concern his transfer to and confinement at the ADC Eyman 23 Complex-Browning Unit, a supermax prison facility in Florence, Arizona (Doc. 1 at 1). 24 He named the following Defendants: (1) Director Charles Ryan; (2) Deputy Warden A. 25 Ramos; (3) Security Threat Group (STG) Coordinator George Smith; (4) STG 26 Investigator Lisa Celaya; and STG Committee Members (5) J. Kimble, (6) J. Freeland, 27 28 1 and (7) R. Bock (id.).1 In Count I of his Complaint, Plaintiff alleged that all Defendants violated his due 2 3 process rights during the STG validation process when they failed to provide him with 4 notice of the charges against him and prevented him from using witness statements at his 5 hearing (id. at 3-3G). Plaintiff further alleged that he is subject to indefinite confinement 6 under conditions that constitute an atypical and significant hardship and he is denied any 7 meaningful review of his classification status (id.). In Count II, Plaintiff alleged that Ryan and Ramos violated his Eighth Amendment 8 9 rights when they subjected him to conditions of confinement that constituted cruel and 10 unusual punishment, including the denial of outdoor recreation, constant illumination in 11 his cell, complete isolation, and limited food (id. at 4-4B).2 Defendants now move for summary judgment on the grounds that (1) Plaintiff 12 13 failed to exhaust administrative remedies for Count I as required under the Prison 14 Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997a(a); (2) Plaintiff’s STG validation 15 hearing comported with due process; (3) annual reviews of Plaintiff’s status comport with 16 due process; (4) debriefing does not violate the Eighth Amendment; (5) the conditions of 17 confinement at the Browning Unit are constitutional; and (6) Defendants are entitled to 18 qualified immunity (Doc. 58). The Court issued the Notice required under Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 962 19 20 (9th Cir. 1998), which informed Plaintiff of his obligation to respond and the 21 requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 (Doc. 60). Plaintiff did not file a 22 response, and the time for doing so has expired. Therefore, in its summary judgment 23 analysis, the Court will construe Plaintiff’s verified Complaint as an affidavit in 24 25 26 27 28 1 Upon screening, the Court dismissed Dennis Kendall, Ron Carlson, and George Herman as Defendants (Doc. 5). 2 The Court dismissed those allegations in Count II concerning medical care, and it dismissed Counts III (alleged equal protection violation) and IV (alleged mail censorship) (Doc. 5). -2- 1 opposition to the summary judgment motion. See Jones v. Blanas, 393 F.3d 918, 923 (9th 2 Cir. 2004) (allegations in a pro se plaintiff’s verified pleadings must be considered as 3 evidence in opposition to summary judgment); Schroeder v. McDonald, 55 F.3d 454, 460 4 (9th Cir. 1995) (verified complaint may be used as an affidavit opposing summary 5 judgment if it is based on personal knowledge and sets forth specific facts admissible in 6 evidence). 7 II. 8 Exhaustion Defendants’ first argument for summary judgment is that Plaintiff did not properly 9 exhaust remedies for his claim in Count I (Doc. 58 at 7-10). Exhaustion is a matter in 10 abatement, which is properly raised in an unenumerated Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss 11 rather than a motion for summary judgment. Wyatt v. Terhune, 315 F.3d 1108, 1119 (9th 12 Cir. 2003). This is because summary judgment is on the merits, whereas dismissal for 13 nonexhaustion is not. Id. Thus, to the extent that Defendants argue nonexhaustion, the 14 motion will be construed as an unenumerated Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss. 15 A. Legal Standard 16 Under the PLRA, an inmate must exhaust available administrative remedies before 17 bringing a federal action. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a); Griffin v. Arpaio, 557 F.3d 1117, 18 1119 (9th Cir. 2009). Exhaustion is required for all suits about prison or jail life, Porter v. 19 Nussle, 534 U.S. 516, 523 (2002), regardless of the type of relief offered through the 20 administrative process, Booth v. Churner, 532 U.S. 731, 741 (2001). An inmate must 21 complete the administrative review process in accordance with the applicable rules. See 22 Woodford v. Ngo, 548 U.S. 81, 92 (2006). 23 Exhaustion is an affirmative defense. Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 199, 212 (2007). 24 Therefore, the defendant bears the burden of raising and proving the absence of 25 exhaustion. Wyatt, 315 F.3d at 1119. Because exhaustion is a matter in abatement in an 26 unenumerated Rule 12(b) motion, a court may look beyond the pleadings to decide 27 disputed issues of fact. Id. at 1119-20. When doing so, a court has broad discretion as to 28 the method to be used in resolving the factual dispute. Ritza v. Int’l Longshoremen’s & -3- 1 Warehousemen’s Union, 837 F.2d 365, 369 (9th Cir. 1988) (quotation omitted). 2 B. Arguments 3 Defendants explain that Plaintiff appealed his initial STG validation and he 4 exhausted administrative remedies as to the claims contained in his validation appeal; 5 however, Defendants assert that the claims raised in Plaintiff’s Complaint are different 6 from those raised in his validation appeal (Doc. 58 at 9). Defendants note that the claims 7 raised in Count I are that Plaintiff was unable to question witnesses at his hearing and that 8 he was not provided with proper notice before the hearing (id. at 9-10, citing Doc.1). 9 They assert that these claims are entirely different than those raised in Plaintiff’s 10 validation appeal, in which he challenged the evidence used in the hearing, the Validation 11 Committee’s failure to specify the evidence relied upon for its decision, and the “some 12 evidence” standard used by the Committee (id. at 10; Doc. 59, Defs.’ Statement of Facts 13 (DSOF) ¶ 153). Defendants maintain that because Plaintiff failed to raise his pending 14 claims in his Validation Appeal, he did not put Defendants on notice of those claims and 15 did not properly exhaust remedies (Doc. 58 at 10). 16 In his Complaint, Plaintiff indicates that he submitted a request for administrative 17 relief for his claims in Count I and appealed to the highest level (Doc. 1 at 3). He 18 specifically alleges that he exhausted remedies pursuant to ADC Department Order (DO) 19 806 and the ADC internal grievance system (id. at 3(G) ¶ 27). 20 C. Analysis 21 As stated, Defendants must demonstrate that there were remedies available to 22 Plaintiff. See Wyatt, 315 F.3d at 1119; see also Brown v. Valoff, 422 F.3d 926, 936-37 23 (9th Cir. 2005). Defendants argue that Plaintiff did not exhaust remedies as to the claims 24 raised in this lawsuit; however, they fail to describe the review process that was available 25 to Plaintiff. See Jones, 549 U.S. at 200 (the procedural rules are defined by the prison 26 grievance process, not by the PLRA); Brown, 422 F.3d at 937. 27 28 In their motion, Defendants refer to the Validation Appeal filed by Plaintiff; yet, they provide no explanation of the Validation Appeal process. When reviewing -4- 1 Defendants’ documents, the Court finds a copy of DO 806, which governs STGs and 2 which contains a section on appeals of the validation decision (Doc. 59, Ex. B, Attach. 1). 3 The relevant portion states that to appeal an STG validation, an inmate must prepare an 4 appeal on an Inmate Letter form but “[i]nmates may appeal only those specific reasons 5 why they were validated” (id., DO 806.05 §§ 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1). Defendants also submit a 6 copy of Plaintiff’s Validation Appeal, which is set forth in an Inmate Letter and which 7 responds directly to each of the specific findings listed on the “Result of STG Validation 8 Hearing” form (Doc. 59, Ex. D, Attachs. 5, 7). This evidence shows that Plaintiff strictly 9 complied with the policy governing appeals and appealed the specific reasons and 10 evidence cited in support of his validation. Defendants fail to establish whether Plaintiff 11 could have included his pending due process claims in his Validation Appeal even if 12 those claims were not directly related to the specific reasons why he was validated. Nor 13 do they indicate whether Plaintiff could have raised his due process claims in the standard 14 grievance process apart from the Validation Appeal. Notably, Defendants do not respond 15 to Plaintiff’s assertion that he exhausted remedies pursuant to the ADC internal grievance 16 system (Doc. 1 at 3(G) ¶ 27). In short, Defendants fail to establish that there was an administrative review 17 18 process available to Plaintiff for the specific due process claims raised in this action and 19 that he failed to use that process. See Wyatt, 315 F.3d at 1120 (finding the defendants’ 20 documents inadequate to show exhaustion because it was unclear whether the they 21 constituted a complete record of the plaintiff’s appeals or whether the plaintiff exhausted 22 his appeals). Defendants’ request to dismiss the claims in Count I for nonexhaustion will 23 therefore be denied. 24 III. Summary Judgment Legal Standard 25 A court must grant summary judgment “if the movant shows that there is no 26 genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter 27 of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 28 (1986). Under summary judgment practice, the movant bears the initial responsibility of -5- 1 presenting the basis for its motion and identifying those portions of the record, together 2 with affidavits, that it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material 3 fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. 4 If the movant meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the 5 nonmovant to demonstrate the existence of a factual dispute and that the fact in 6 contention is material, i.e., a fact that might affect the outcome of the suit under the 7 governing law, and that the dispute is genuine, i.e., the evidence is such that a reasonable 8 jury could return a verdict for the nonmovant. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 9 242, 248, 250 (1986) ; see Triton Energy Corp. v. Square D. Co., 68 F.3d 1216, 1221 (9th 10 Cir. 1995). The nonmovant need not establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its 11 favor, First Nat’l Bank of Ariz. v. Cities Serv. Co., 391 U.S. 253, 288-89 (1968); 12 however, it must “come forward with specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue 13 for trial.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 14 (1986) (internal citation omitted); see Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1). 15 At summary judgment, the judge’s function is not to weigh the evidence and 16 determine the truth but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial. Anderson, 17 477 U.S. at 249. In its analysis, the court must believe the nonmovant’s evidence, and 18 draw all inferences in the nonmovant’s favor. Id. at 255. 19 IV. Count I-Due Process 20 A. Legal Standard 21 The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the states from 22 “depriv[ing] any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” U.S. 23 Const. amend. XIV, § 1. To determine whether a procedural due process violation has 24 occurred, a court engages in a two-step analysis. First, a court looks to whether the 25 person possesses a constitutionally-cognizable liberty interest with which the state has 26 interfered. Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 485-87 (1995). Second, if the state has 27 interfered with a liberty interest, a court looks to whether this interference was 28 accompanied by sufficient procedural and evidentiary safeguards. Ky. Dep’t of Corr. v. -6- 1 2 Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989). It is well-settled that placement in maximum security segregation units implicates 3 a liberty interest requiring due process protections. Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209, 4 224 (2005). An inmate may be deprived of his liberty interest as long as he is accorded 5 the proper procedural protections. For the initial decision to place an inmate in maximum 6 custody, due process is generally satisfied by notice of the factual basis for the placement 7 and an opportunity to be heard. Id. at 224-226; Hewitt v. Helms, 459 U.S. 460, 476 8 (1983), overruled in part on other grounds by Sandin, 515 U.S. 472. These procedural 9 mechanisms serve to avoid the risk of an erroneous deprivation; “[r]equiring officials to 10 provide a brief summary of the factual basis for the classification review and allowing the 11 inmate a rebuttal opportunity safeguards against the inmate’s being mistaken for another 12 or singled out for insufficient reason.” Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 226. 13 After an inmate is placed in maximum security segregation, he is entitled to “some 14 sort” of periodic review of his status. See Hewitt, 459 U.S. at 477 n. 9 (“administrative 15 segregation may not be used as a pretext for indefinite confinement of an inmate. Prison 16 officials must engage in some sort of periodic review of the confinement of such 17 inmates”). To determine whether the periodic review afforded Plaintiff conforms to due 18 process requirements, the Court must consider “[1] the private interest that will be 19 affected by the official action; [2] the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest 20 through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute 21 procedural safeguards; and [3] the Government’s interest, including the function involved 22 and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural 23 requirement would entail.” Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 224-25 (citing Matthews v. Eldridge, 24 424 U.S. 319, 335 (1976)). 25 B. Facts/Arguments 26 1. Defendants’ Factual Assertions 27 a. STG Validation, Renunciation/Debriefing, and Step-Down Program 28 In support of their summary judgment motion, Defendants submit a separate -7- 1 Statement of Facts (DSOF), which is supported by the declarations of STG Supervisor 2 Jerry Dunn and Special Security Unit (SSU) Coordinators Carlos Reyna and George 3 Smith, with various attachments (Doc. 59, Exs. B-D). 4 Defendants’ factual assertions relevant to Count I are summarized as follows: 5 In 1991, the ADC established an STG policy in an effort to control prison gang 6 activity in Arizona’s prisons and minimize the threat posed by gangs (DSOF ¶¶ 4-5). The 7 STG policy provides for the identification and certification of prison gangs inmate STG 8 members (id. ¶ 7). 9 Under this policy, an STG “Suspect” is an inmate believed to be involved in an 10 STG (id. ¶ 28). To be identified as an STG Suspect, there must be documentation of 11 certain specific criteria, such as self-proclamation, tattoos, photographs, association and 12 contacts (id. ¶ 29; Doc. 59, Ex. B, Attach. 1 (DO 806, Definitions)). 13 Once an inmate is identified as a Suspect, the SSU staff initiates a “Suspect File,” 14 which contains confidential information on the Suspect including an STG Identifying 15 Questionnaire (DSOF ¶ 31). If there is sufficient evidence in an inmate’s Suspect File to 16 meet the validation criteria, the SSU staff prepares an STG Member Validation Packet 17 (id. ¶ 34). 18 An STG Validation Committee, which is made up of three deputy wardens or 19 associate deputy wardens, then conducts an STG Validation Hearing (id. ¶ 39). The 20 Complex SSU Coordinator notifies the inmate of his Validation Hearing with the Hearing 21 Notification form—Hearing Notice—at least 10 days before the hearing so that the 22 inmate has time to prepare a defense (id. ¶ 41). The inmate signs and dates the Hearing 23 Notice to acknowledge that he received it (id.). The inmate chooses whether to appear at 24 the hearing or waive his right to appear and whether he will request witnesses; witnesses 25 are requested using the STG Witness Request/Response form (id.). The inmate’s choices 26 are denoted on the Hearing Notice by checking boxes or initialing next to each choice 27 (id.). If the inmate requests witnesses, the Complex SSU Coordinator provides the inmate 28 the witness forms and, no later than five business days before the hearing, picks up the -8- 1 completed forms from the inmate (id.). 2 If an inmate is validated, it means that the inmate is determined to be or to have 3 been a member of an STG (id. ¶ 35). Also, if an inmate’s participation level meets the 4 criteria of membership in an STG but the STG has not granted the inmate membership, 5 the inmate can still be validated as a member (id.). Validation is determined on a point 6 system, with varying point values assigned to specific criteria of evidence (id. ¶¶ 36-37). 7 Validation requires a certain number of points in at least two of the criteria categories (id. 8 ¶ 37). 9 Once an inmate has been validated as a STG member through the STG validation 10 process, the inmate may appeal the validation decision, choose to renounce his STG 11 membership through the debriefing process, or accept his validation and not renounce his 12 STG membership (id. ¶ 45). An inmate who refuses to renounce and debrief receives an 13 annual review by Classification staff (id. ¶ 49). The review consists of an inquiry as to 14 (a) whether the inmate is still associated with an STG or (b) whether the inmate has 15 disassociated himself from the STG, renounced his gang affiliation, and is sincerely 16 willing and able to debrief (id.). A validated inmate is considered an ongoing threat to 17 prison security and, therefore, is segregated and assigned to be housed at the maximum- 18 security Browning Unit until the inmate is released from prison, renounces his STG 19 membership and satisfactorily debriefs, or successfully completes the ADC Step-Down 20 Program (SDP) (id. ¶ 51). 21 Renunciation is when a validated STG member renounces his STG affiliation (id. 22 ¶ 53). This is followed by the debriefing process, in which an STG Unit staff member 23 uses a STG Questionnaire to document the claim that an inmate is no longer a member of 24 an STG (id. ¶ 54). The objectives of the debriefing process are to (1) learn enough about 25 the validated STG member and the STG to determine whether the inmate has withdrawn 26 from the STG, (2) provide information regarding the STG’s structure and activity that 27 would adversely impact the STG and assist in management of the STG population, and 28 (3) provide sufficient information to determine if the inmate requires protection from -9- 1 other STG members or suspects (id. ¶ 55). A validated STG member who renounces 2 membership and satisfactorily debriefs is housed in Protective Segregation (PS) and is 3 then reviewed for permanent PS status (id. ¶ 58). A validated STG member can request 4 to renounce and debrief at any time (id. ¶ 62). 5 As an alternative to the debriefing process, a validated STG member may be able 6 to leave the Browning Unit through the SDP, which provides an inmate the opportunity to 7 demonstrate that he is not involved in STG activity (id. ¶ 65). To be eligible for the SDP, 8 an inmate must have completed a continuous 24-month period where he did not 9 participate in any documented gang activity, and he must make a written request to 10 participate in the program (id. ¶¶ 68, 85). There are different phases in the SDP that 11 provide inmates progressively more freedom in small increments, and the program must 12 be completed within 18 months of the date of entry into the program (id. ¶¶ 90, 92). 13 14 b. Plaintiff’s Validation Plaintiff was served with the Hearing Notice on March 12, 2008 (id. ¶ 130). This 15 Notice informed Plaintiff that he was suspected of being an STG member of the Aryan 16 Brotherhood, the basis for that suspicion and the charges against him, and that his 17 Validation Hearing was scheduled for March 27, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. (id. ¶ 131). On the 18 Hearing Notice form, Plaintiff checked the boxes indicating that he would appear at the 19 hearing and that he requested witnesses (id. ¶¶ 132-133). Also on March 12, 2008, 20 Plaintiff was given blank STG witness forms (id. ¶ 136). Plaintiff’s hearing was 21 rescheduled for May 23, 2008 (id. ¶¶ 137-138; Doc. 59, Ex. D, Attach. 3). 22 Plaintiff submitted completed witness forms to Lieutenant Smith, who forwarded 23 the forms to the witnesses (id. ¶¶ 139-40). The witnesses returned the forms to Smith, 24 and Smith placed them in the Validation Packet (id. ¶ 141). 25 The validation hearing was held on May 23, 2008, with Plaintiff in attendance (id. 26 ¶ 142). The STG Committee included Kimble, Bock, and Freeland (id. ¶ 143). Plaintiff 27 was able to review each piece of evidence used to support his validation and provide a 28 response or explanation to the Committee (id. ¶¶ 145-147). The Committee found - 10 - 1 evidence to support 23 points in four categories, which was sufficient to validate Plaintiff 2 as an STG member (id. ¶¶ 148-149). Plaintiff received written results of the Validation 3 Hearing at the hearing and he acknowledged receipt by signing his name (id. ¶ 150). 4 Plaintiff chose to appeal the validation decision (id. ¶¶ 152). In his appeal, 5 Plaintiff claimed that the “some evidence” standard was unconstitutional when the result 6 of the hearing was indefinite detention; that there was no evidence that he had a history of 7 violence or misconduct; that his due process rights were violated when the Committee 8 relied on vague evidence; and that the Committee failed to support their decision with 9 specific documentation or citation to evidence in the record (id. ¶ 152). The STG 10 Appeals Committee upheld the validation (id. ¶ 158). To date, Plaintiff has not made a request to renounce or to debrief, nor has he made 11 12 a request to participate in the Step-Down Program (id. ¶ 159). 13 2. Defendants’ Legal Arguments In their motion, Defendants acknowledge that Plaintiff possessed a liberty interest 14 15 in avoiding transfer to the Browning Unit and, therefore, was entitled to sufficient 16 procedural and evidentiary standards (Doc. 58 at 11).3 They submit that due process 17 requires notice but that it does not require detailed written notice (id. at 12). According to 18 Defendants, Plaintiff admitted that he received written notice of the hearing, and they 19 state that this notice set out in great detail the evidence that would be used to validate him 20 as an STG member (id. at 11-12). In response to Plaintiff’s claim that he was denied an adversarial hearing and the 21 22 opportunity to present his views, Defendants submit that this type of situation does not 23 require an adversarial hearing and Plaintiff was provided the opportunity to respond to 24 and dispute each piece of evidence (id. at 12). Defendants note that Plaintiff did, in fact, 25 respond to the evidence used to validate him (id.). Defendants also assert that Plaintiff 26 listed questions to be asked of witnesses that he chose and those witnesses’ responses 27 3 28 Defendants refer to Plaintiff’s transfer to “SMU II” (Special Management Unit II) (Doc. 58 at 11), which was the former name of the Browning Unit (Doc. 59 at 2 n. 2). - 11 - 1 were supplied to the Validation Committee for consideration (id.). Thus, Defendants 2 contend that Plaintiff was given the opportunity to present witnesses, which exceeds the 3 due process required at an administrative segregation hearing (id.). 4 Defendants next argue that because the validation hearing is an administrative 5 process—not disciplinary—due process only requires a “some evidence” standard and, 6 here, there was significantly more than “some evidence” to support the finding that 7 Plaintiff is a STG member (id. at 12-13). Defendants identify the specific evidence that 8 the Validation Committee reviewed (id. at 13-14). They also point out that other courts in 9 this district have reviewed the same validation process and concluded that it comports 10 with due process (id. at 15, citing Hampton v. Ryan, 2008 WL 2959604, at *1 (9th Cir. 11 Aug. 4, 2008), and Baptisto v. Ryan, 2005 WL 2416356, at *5-6 (D. Ariz. Sept. 30, 12 2005)). 13 Similarly, Defendants contend that the annual review of Plaintiff’s STG status 14 satisfies due process (Doc. 58 at 15-16). They state that Plaintiff is in the Browning Unit 15 solely because of his validation as a STG member; thus, the only way to remove himself 16 from the unit is to separate himself from the STG through debriefing or the SDP (id. at 17 15-16). Defendants reiterate that Plaintiff can request to debrief or to enter the SDP at 18 any time (id. at 16). Defendants state that as long as Plaintiff is an STG member, he is a 19 security risk (id.). Defendants maintain that annual reviews of Plaintiff’s status are 20 sufficient to determine whether Plaintiff remains a security risk (id.). Defendants assert 21 that it has already been ascertained that Plaintiff is an STG member and, since periodic 22 reviews are not to re-argue that determination, officials need not consider additional 23 evidence at the periodic review—they need only determine whether the basis for 24 Plaintiff’s placement still exists (id. at 17-18). And Defendants argue that other courts 25 have supported that annual reviews for inmates in supermax facilities are sufficient (id. at 26 18-19). 27 As to Plaintiff’s claim that he would be labeled a snitch if he debriefed, 28 Defendants contend that it is mere speculation, particularly given that Plaintiff has not - 12 - 1 participated in the debriefing process (id. at 20-21). Defendants further contend that the 2 SDP provides Plaintiff a way out of the Browning Unit without the requirement that he 3 provide gang information to officials (id. at 21). Defendants assert that they have 4 nonetheless taken affirmative steps to ensure the safety of debriefed inmates by placing 5 them in protective segregation (PS), which is the method used to protect inmates who are 6 threatened by other inmates (id.). They argue that this is a reasonable response to any 7 possible risk associated with debriefing (id.). 8 For the above reasons, Defendants request summary judgment on Count I. 3. Plaintiff’s Factual Assertions 9 10 In his Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that he was denied written notice of the charges 11 against him and was therefore unable to prepare his defense (Doc. 1 at 3(A) ¶¶ 8-9). He 12 further alleges that although he completed witness forms, Smith and Celaya failed to 13 provide the witnesses’ answers to Plaintiff, and he claims that he was not allowed to 14 present the witnesses’ statements to the Validation Committee or call witnesses at the 15 hearing (id. at 3(B) ¶¶ 11-12, 14). Plaintiff also asserts that he was not allowed to present 16 his views against validation (id. at 3(C) ¶ 15). And he claims that the Committee did not 17 provide a written statement of the evidence relied upon and the reason for its decision (id. 18 at 3(B)-(C) ¶¶ 13, 15). 19 With respect to the annual reviews, Plaintiff avers that they are not meaningful 20 reviews and amount to nothing more than a “rubber stamp” of the initial validation (id. at 21 3(E)-(F) ¶¶ 19, 21). Plaintiff asserts that the debriefing process subjects a prisoner to the 22 risk of being classified as a snitch, which puts his life in danger (id. at 3(E) ¶ 20). 23 Plaintiff also maintains that there is no other meaningful way to exit indefinite 24 confinement at the Browning Unit (id. at 3(F)-(G) ¶¶ 23, 26). 25 C. Analysis 26 1. Notice, Opportunity to Question Witnesses, Hearing 27 Although Plaintiff claims that he did not receive proper notice prior to his 28 validation hearing, the record includes a copy of the Hearing Notice, which is signed and - 13 - 1 dated by Plaintiff as received on March 12, 2008 (Doc. 59, Ex. D, Attach. 2). The Notice 2 clearly states that Plaintiff is accused of being a member of an STG and identifies the 3 specific evidence that supports that accusation (Id.). The Notice describes nine incidents 4 in which staff discovered evidence supporting the STG charge against Plaintiff; the 5 descriptions include dates, names of other inmates involved, and the specific items of 6 evidence—including address books, a membership list, poems, letters and correspondence 7 (id.). The Court finds that the record shows Plaintiff received the Hearing Notice and 8 9 this Notice more than adequately set forth a “brief summary of the factual basis” for 10 suspecting Plaintiff of STG membership. In addition, the Notice provided sufficient 11 information, including specific dates and named inmates who were connected to various 12 incidents, for Plaintiff to prepare a rebuttal to the charges. See Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 13 226. 14 Defendants’ evidence includes two completed witness forms that were included in 15 the Validation Packet reviewed by the Validation Committee and a copy of the “result” 16 form outlining the results of the hearing (Doc. 59, Ex. D, Smith Decl. ¶¶ 20-21, Attachs. 17 4-5). The “results” form documents Plaintiff’s response to each item of evidence (id.). In 18 failing to respond to Defendants’ motion, Plaintiff does not demonstrate how—in light of 19 this evidence—he was prevented from questioning witnesses or adequately responding to 20 the specific charges against him. 21 The “results” form also explains the basis for the Committee’s findings, and it 22 specifies the evidence that the Committee relied upon (id.). The face of the form reflects 23 that Plaintiff received and signed it on May 23, 2008 (id.). 24 The Court notes that inmate gang validations are subject to the “some evidence” 25 standard, which sets a low bar; a single piece of evidence may be sufficient to meet the 26 “some evidence” requirement, if that evidence has “sufficient indicia of reliability.” 27 Bruce v. Ylst, 351 F.3d 1283, 1287-88 (9th Cir. 2003). Courts are not required to 28 “examine the entire record, independently assess witness credibility, or reweigh the - 14 - 1 evidence; rather, ‘the relevant question is whether there is any evidence in the record that 2 could support the conclusion.’” Id. at 1287 (citing Superintendent, Mass. Corr. Inst. v. 3 Hill, 472 U.S. 445, 455-56 (1985)). Here, the “results” form reflects that there was 4 sufficient evidence to support Plaintiff’s validation. 5 On the record before the Court, the Hearing Notice, the procedures for questioning 6 witnesses, the validation hearing, and the evidentiary standard applied all met due process 7 requirements. 8 9 2. Annual Reviews According to Plaintiff, the annual review process constitutes a very limited review 10 and is little more than a cursory “rubber stamp” of the validation process (Doc. 1 at 3(E) 11 ¶ 19). Defendants maintain that the annual reviews are sufficient for inmates housed in 12 supermax due to their STG status, as opposed to inmates housed in supermax for other 13 reasons, in which case more frequent reviews are required (Doc. 58 at 17-18). 14 To the extent Defendants argue that annual reviews alone are sufficient to satisfy 15 due process, their argument fails. In Hernandez v. Schriro—a case involving an STG 16 inmate housed in the same facility as Plaintiff—the Ninth Circuit reversed the district 17 court’s finding that annual reviews did not violate due process and specifically stated that 18 annual reviews alone are insufficient. 357 F. App’x 747, 749 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing 19 Toussaint v. McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1101 (9th Cir. 1986), abrogated in part on other 20 grounds by Sandin, 515 U.S. 472). 21 But Defendants’ evidence reflects that in addition to annual reviews, Plaintiff can 22 renounce and debrief at any time (Doc. 59, Ex. B, Dunn Decl. ¶ 66). On remand in 23 Hernandez, this Court found that annual reviews, combined with the option to debrief at 24 any time, satisfied due process. 2011 WL 2910710, at *8 (D. Ariz. July 20, 2011). The 25 Court observed that no prior case had held that debriefing as the sole method of leaving 26 administrative segregation violates due process. Id., at *9 (citations omitted). And the 27 plaintiff in Hernandez, just like Plaintiff in this case, had not requested to debrief (Doc. 28 59, Ex. D, Smith Decl. ¶ 39). See Hernandez, 2011 WL 2910710, at *9. Consequently, - 15 - 1 there was no evidence of a risk of erroneous result in his annual review process. See id.; 2 Matthews, 424 U.S. at 335. 3 The Hernandez Court balanced the three Matthews factors and determined that the 4 plaintiff could not show that the process afforded him, i.e., the annual reviews with 5 debriefing available, was inadequate. 2011 WL 2910710, at *8-9. “Because debriefing is 6 available at any time, the periodic review of [the plaintiff’s] status satisfies the Matthews 7 test . . . .” Id., at *9. Plaintiff presents nothing that causes this Court to find differently in 8 the instant action. 9 10 3. Debriefing Plaintiff contends that debriefing creates a serious risk to an inmate’s safety 11 because he is then identified as a snitch (Doc. 1 at 3(E) ¶ 20). The Eighth Amendment 12 requires prison officials to protect prisoners from violence at the hands of other prisoners. 13 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 833 (1994). To establish an Eighth Amendment 14 violation, a prisoner must first satisfy an objective requirement—he must show that he 15 has been transferred into “conditions posing a substantial risk of serious harm.” Id. at 16 834. Then, he must satisfy a subjective requirement—he must show that the defendant 17 was aware of the risk and disregarded it. Id. at 834, 837. Courts have recognized that 18 being labeled a snitch can place an inmate at a risk of harm. See Valandingham v. 19 Bojorquez, 866 F.2d 1135, 1138-39 (9th Cir. 1989); see also Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 227 20 (“[t]estifying against, or otherwise informing on, gang activities can invite one’s own 21 death sentence”). But it is unclear whether this same risk is present when an inmate is 22 placed in PS as opposed to the general population. See Hernandez, 2011 WL 2910710, at 23 *5 (distinguishing the risk of harm faced by inmates who are labeled as snitches and 24 placed in general population with debriefed inmates who are labeled as snitches and 25 placed in PS). 26 Regardless, even assuming that the objective prong of the deliberate indifference 27 analysis is met when an inmate debriefs and is identified as a snitch, see Farmer, 511 U.S. 28 at 833, Plaintiff has not satisfied the subjective prong. Defendants’ undisputed evidence - 16 - 1 shows that they did not disregard this risk to inmates’ safety. The evidence shows that a 2 debriefed STG member is not housed with other inmates but is placed in PS (Doc. 59, Ex. 3 B, Dunn Decl. ¶ 62). In failing to respond to Defendants’ evidence, Plaintiff presents 4 nothing to suggest that PS placement does not provide reasonable safety to debriefed 5 inmates following their transfer out of the Browning Unit. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844 6 (finding that a prison official who responds reasonably to a risk is not liable—even if the 7 harm ultimately is not averted). Further, because the record shows that Plaintiff has not 8 debriefed, he cannot show that he has faced or will face a substantial risk of serious harm 9 in PS. See Gaut v. Sunn, 810 F.2d 923, 925 (9th Cir. 1987) (the “mere threat” of future 10 bodily harm to a prisoner may not provide a basis for a cognizable Eighth Amendment 11 claim). In short, Plaintiff cannot demonstrate that debriefing is not an adequate 12 alternative to annual reviews. In light of the above, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff’s 13 14 due process claim in Count I. 15 V. Count II-Conditions of Confinement Plaintiff alleges that the following conditions of his confinement violate the Eighth 16 17 Amendment: (1) isolation; (2) cell illumination; (3) limited recreation; (4) denial of 18 adequate food; (5) restricted privileges; and (7) hygiene/sanitation (Doc. 1 at 3(C)-(D) 19 16). 20 A. Legal Standard 21 “[T]he unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain . . . constitutes cruel and unusual 22 punishment forbidden by the Eighth Amendment.” Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 319 23 (1986). “Among ‘unnecessary and wanton’ inflictions of pain are those that are totally 24 without penological justification.” Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S. 337, 346 (1981) 25 (citation omitted). To demonstrate that a prison official has deprived an inmate of 26 humane conditions in violation of the Eighth Amendment, two requirements must be 27 met—one objective and one subjective. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1132-33 (9th 28 Cir. 2000). First, “the prison official’s acts or omissions must deprive an inmate of the - 17 - 1 minimal civilized measure of life’s necessities.” Id. (internal citation omitted). The 2 subjective prong requires the inmate to demonstrate that the deprivation was a product of 3 “deliberate indifference” by prison officials. Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 303 (1991). 4 As mentioned above with regard to prison officials’ obligation under the Eighth 5 Amendment to protect prisoners from other prisoners, deliberate indifference occurs only 6 if a prison official “knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety; 7 the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a 8 substantial risk of serious harm exits, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511 9 U.S. at 837. 10 B. 11 The Ninth Circuit has found that “administrative segregation, even in a single cell 12 for twenty-three hours a day, is within the terms of confinement ordinarily contemplated 13 by a sentence.” Anderson v. County of Kern, 45 F.3d 1310, 1316 (9th Cir. 1995) (citing 14 Toussaint, 801 F.2d at 1091-92). Even so, the Ninth Circuit has also recognized that the 15 harsh conditions such as those in the Browning Unit can cause psychological harm. See 16 Miller v. Stewart, 231 F.3d 1248, 1252 (9th Cir. 2000) (in a death row case, experts stated 17 that conditions present in [supermax placement] can cause psychological decompensation 18 to the point of incompetency). Other courts, however, have found that standing alone, the 19 isolation inherent in segregation does not violate the Eighth Amendment. In re Long 20 Term Admin. Segregation of Inmates Designated as Five Percenters, 174 F.3d 464, 472 21 (4th Cir. 1999) (“the isolation inherent in administrative segregation or maximum custody 22 is not itself constitutionally objectionable”); Jackson v. Meachum, 699 F.2d 578, 581-83 23 (1st Cir. 1983) (no Eighth Amendment violation by confining inmate in indefinite 24 segregation that was otherwise satisfactory except for virtually no communication or 25 association with other inmates, even when conditions caused depression). 26 Isolation While it is clear that something more than isolation is required to violate the 27 Eighth Amendment, it is not exactly clear what the standard is. But the Court need not 28 reach that question because the evidence does not show that Plaintiff is incarcerated in - 18 - 1 complete isolation. Plaintiff alleges that the only socialization available is brief telephone calls with 2 3 family and friends and limited visitation through protective glass (Doc. 1 at 3(C) 4 ¶ 16(A)). In contrast, Defendants’ evidence shows that some maximum-custody inmates can 5 6 communicate with other inmates in their cell group, though not face-to-face (Doc. 59, 7 DSOF ¶ 112). And, as Plaintiff acknowledges, there is visitation at the Browning Unit. 8 Inmates are permitted a weekly two-hour block of non-contact visitation with up to four 9 visitors at a time (id. ¶ 113). STG-validated inmates are allowed one 15-minute telephone 10 call per week (id. ¶ 114). See Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1092 (9th Cir. 1996) 11 (prisoner telephone access is subject to reasonable security limitations) (citation omitted). 12 In addition, inmates housed at the Browning Unit may possess soft cover books and 13 cassette players and head phones (DSOF ¶ 115). The undisputed evidence shows that Plaintiff has opportunities for limited social 14 15 contact and, therefore, is not isolated to a degree that would violate the Eighth 16 Amendment. Moreover, as discussed above, at any time Plaintiff may initiate the 17 debriefing process, which may allow him to transfer out of the Browning Unit and its 18 limits on social contact. Defendants will be granted summary judgment on the isolation 19 claim. 20 C. Cell Illumination 21 The Eighth Amendment requires that inmates be given appropriate lighting. 22 Keenan, 83 F.3d at 1090. Constant illumination of a prison cell, standing alone, has been 23 upheld as constitutional under certain circumstances. See, e.g., Warren v. Kolender, 2009 24 WL 196114, at *15 (S.D. Cal., Jan. 22, 2009). But 24-hour lighting with excessively 25 bright bulbs has been held to violate the Eighth Amendment. See Keenan, 83 F.3d at 26 1090–91. Thus, the inquiry into whether constant security lighting in prison cells violates 27 the Eighth Amendment is necessarily fact-specific and often depends upon the brightness 28 of the light at issue. For example, 24-hour lighting with single 9-watt or 13-watt bulbs - 19 - 1 has been found not to be objectively unconstitutional. Vasquez v. Frank, 290 F. App’x 2 927, 929 (7th Cir. Aug.15, 2008) (24-hour lighting with one 9-watt fluorescent bulb not 3 an “extreme deprivation”); McBride v. Frank, 2009 WL 2591618, at *5 (E.D. Wis. 4 Aug.21, 2009) (24-hour lighting with a 9-watt fluorescent bulb not unconstitutional); 5 Wills v. Terhune, 404 F. Supp. 2d 1226, 1230-31 (E.D. Cal. 2005) (24-hour illumination 6 by 13-watt bulb not objectively unconstitutional); compare with Keenan, 83 F.3d at 1090- 7 91 (24-hour lighting from “large fluorescent lights” unconstitutional where prisoner could 8 not tell if it was night or day). 9 Plaintiff alleges that the lights cannot be turned off day or night (Doc. 1 at 3(C) 10 ¶ 16(B)). He claims that the 24-hour lighting serves no legitimate purpose other than to 11 torment prisoners (id.). 12 Defendants explain that each cell in the Browning Unit contains four light bulbs: 13 one 40-watt fluorescent lamp “up light”; two 40-watt fluorescent lamps “down light”; and 14 one 7-watt fluorescent night light (Doc. 59, DSOF ¶ 105). During the day, all four bulbs 15 remain on and, at night, only the 7-watt night light remains on (id.). Defendants submit 16 that the 7-watt security light enables staff to conduct health and welfare/security checks 17 during the night and ensures the safety of the officers (id. ¶ 106). 18 In light of Plaintiff’s failure to respond to Defendants’ evidence that there is a 19 single dimmed light at night and that this light is for security purposes, the Court finds the 20 Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on this claim. 21 D. Recreation 22 Exercise is a basic human necessity protected by the Eighth Amendment; thus, the 23 deprivation of outdoor exercise for inmates who are under long-term segregation violates 24 the Constitution. Keenan, 83 F.3d at 1089. But restricting an prisoner’s exercise 25 privileges may be reasonable if the prisoner represents a serious security risk. LeMaire v. 26 Maass, 12 F.3d 1444, 1458 (9th Cir. 1993). Five hours of exercise per week has been 27 found to be constitutionally sufficient. See Baptisto v. Ryan, 2006 WL 798879, at *33 28 (D. Ariz. March 28, 2006) (collecting decisions of the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, - 20 - 1 2 Ninth, and Tenth Circuits). Plaintiff asserts that STG inmates are never allowed outside and the “recreation 3 area” is simply a 10x20 walled, concrete box with 20-foot high walls and a steel grated, 4 mesh top (Doc. 1 at 3(C) ¶ 16(C)). He alleges that, except for one racquetball, no 5 exercise equipment is provided and his only contact with the sun is an occasional glimpse 6 through a skylight (id.). 7 Defendants proffer evidence that inmates housed in the Browning Unit receive six 8 hours of out-of-cell recreation per week and the six hours are on three different days and 9 two hours in duration (Doc. 59, DSOF ¶ 118). The recreation area has a cement floor and 10 walls and a steel mesh top that allows fresh air and sunlight into the area (id. ¶ 119). 11 During recreation sessions, inmates may use a racquetball/handball, a hackie sack, a 12 kickball and/or a walkman (id.). 13 In failing to respond, Plaintiff does not dispute that he receives six hours of 14 exercise per week, which is more than required. Further, the evidence shows that he gets 15 natural light and fresh air. On this record, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment 16 on Plaintiff’s exercise claim. 17 E. Food 18 “The Eighth Amendment requires only that prisoners receive food that is adequate 19 to maintain health; it need not be tasty or aesthetically pleasing.” LeMaire, 12 F.3d at 20 1456. “The fact that the food occasionally contains foreign objects or sometimes is served 21 cold, while unpleasant, does not amount to a constitutional deprivation.” Id. (internal 22 citations omitted). But if an inmate is served meals with insufficient calories for long 23 periods of time, he may be able to demonstrate a violation of his right against cruel and 24 unusual punishment. Id. 25 Plaintiff alleges that he is provided just one hot meal a day along with a cold sack- 26 lunch meal that serves as a combined breakfast and lunch (Doc. 1 at 3(D) ¶ 16(D)). He 27 states that this low-calorie diet is used as punishment against STG prisoners (id.). 28 Defendants confirm that inmates at the Browning Unit received a reduced-calorie - 21 - 1 diet due to their sedentary lifestyle (Doc. 59, DSOF ¶ 121). According to Carlos Reyna, 2 an ADC Lieutenant and the SSU Coordinator, a nutritionist designed the diet to ensure 3 that these low-level activity inmates receive proper calories and nutrition (id., Ex. C, 4 Reyna Decl. ¶ 27). Reyna further explains that since 2010, STG-validated inmates 5 receive three-meals-per-day during the week and two-meals-per day on the weekends, 6 with one hot meal each day (id. ¶ 30). 7 Plaintiff presents no specific facts or evidence to dispute Defendants’ evidence that 8 the calories provided to him are determined by a nutritionist to meet his health needs, nor 9 does he present any evidence that he has been injured or is underweight as a result of the 10 diet he receives. Accordingly, summary judgment is appropriate on Plaintiff’s diet claim. 11 F. Privileges 12 Plaintiff alleges that STG prisoners are denied participation in sentence-reducing 13 rehabilitation programs, vocational programs, and other classes and activities (Doc. 1 at 14 3(D) ¶ 16(E)). These allegations fail to implicate the Eighth Amendment. There is no 15 constitutional right to rehabilitation, and the lack of educational or vocational programs 16 does not rise to a constitutional violation. Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1254-55 (9th 17 Cir. 1982), abrogated in part on other grounds by Sandin, 515 U.S. 472. Even so, 18 Plaintiff does not dispute that he is allowed to have limited drawing materials and he may 19 be eligible to participate in limited in-cell education programs (DSOF ¶¶ 117, 126). 20 G. Hygiene 21 A complete denial of personal hygiene items violates the Eighth Amendment. See 22 Keenan, 83 F.3d at 1089-91. And subjecting an inmate to lack of sanitation that is severe 23 or prolonged can rise also to a constitutional deprivation. Anderson, 45 F.3d at 1314; see 24 Hutto v. Finney, 437 U.S. 678, 686-87 (1978). Therefore, prison officials must provide 25 inmates with adequate sanitation. See Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 731 (9th Cir. 26 2000). If a prison official’s refusal to provide adequate cleaning supplies prohibits 27 inmates from maintaining minimally sanitary cells and thereby threatens their health, it 28 amounts to a constitutional violation. See Hoptowit v. Spellman, 753 F.2d 779, 784 (9th - 22 - 1 2 3 4 Cir. 1985). Plaintiff states that he receives just three eight minute showers a week and he is denied access to mops, brooms, and cleaning supplies (Doc. 1 at 3(D) ¶ 16(F)-(G)). Defendants submit that STG prisoners are issued cleaning supplies twice a week, 5 including a scrub brush, a sponge, and a spray bottle (Doc. 59, DSOF ¶ 102). The prison 6 staff is responsible for cleaning the pod common areas (id. ¶ 103). Defendants also 7 present evidence that STG prisoners may purchase hygiene items from the commissary 8 (id. ¶ 116). 9 Plaintiff’s concession that he is allowed three showers a week along with evidence 10 that he may purchase hygiene items shows that he is not denied the right to personal 11 hygiene. Plaintiff does not dispute that he is provided with some cleaning supplies, and he 12 does not allege that he is completely unable to maintain sanitation in his cell. Defendants 13 will therefore be granted summary judgment on this claim. 14 Because summary judgment will be granted on the due process claim (Count I) and 15 the above conditions-of-confinement claims (Count II), the Court need not address 16 Defendants’ argument for qualified immunity (see Doc. 58 at 25-28). 17 IT IS ORDERED: 18 19 (1) The reference to the Magistrate is withdrawn as to Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 58). 20 (2) Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 58) is granted. 21 (3) The Clerk of Court must enter judgment accordingly and terminate the action. 22 DATED this 8th day of February, 2012. 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 23 -

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