Alani v. Copenhaven

Filing 60

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: The Magistrate Judge recommends that the District Judge enter an order: SUBSTITUTING J.T. Shartle, Warden, as Respondent for Charles E. Samuels, Jr. pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 43(c)(2) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure; DENYING Petitioner's First Amended Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Federal Custody (Doc. 18 ); DENYING AS MOOT Petitioner's Motion fo r Summary Judgment (Doc. 51 ); DENYING Petitioner's Motion to Strike (Doc. 51 ); and DENYING Petitioner's Motion for Waiver of Form Requirements (Doc. 58 ). See attached Order for complete details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Bruce G Macdonald on 6/17/2015. (MFR)

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1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Martin Sanchez-Alaniz,1 10 Petitioner, No. CV-14-00324-TUC-RCC (BGM) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 11 12 13 v. J. T. Shartle, Warden, 14 Respondent. 15 16 17 Currently pending before the Court is Petitioner Martin Sanchez-Alaniz’s pro se First Amended Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person 18 19 in Federal Custody (“Petition”) (Doc. 18). Respondent has filed his Return and Answer 20 to Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for a Writ of Habeas Corpus and Motion to Dismiss 21 Petition (“Response”) (Doc. 38). Petitioner filed his Reply and Petitioners [sic] Motion 22 23 for Summary Judgment (Doc. 50). Also pending before the Court is Petitioner’s Motion 24 for Summary Judgment and Motion to Strike (Doc. 51) and Motion for Waiver of Form 25 Requirements (Doc. 58). 26 1 27 28 The Court docket spells Petitioner’s name as “Martin Sanchez Alanis;” however, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) list Petitioner as “Martin Sanchez-Alaniz.” See BOP Inmate Locator, available at http://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ (last visited June 10, 2015). For consistency with BOP, the Court adopts the latter spelling. 1 2 As an initial matter, Petitioner named Craig Apker, Warden of the United States Penitentiary–Tucson (“USP–Tucson”) as the Respondent. See Petition (Doc. 18). The 3 4 5 6 Court takes judicial notice, however, that Craig Apker is no longer warden of USP– Tucson. As such, the Court will substitute the new Warden of USP–Tucson, J. T. Shartle, as Respondent pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 7 Pursuant to Rules 72.1 and 72.2 of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure,2 this matter 8 9 10 was referred to Magistrate Judge Macdonald for Report and Recommendation. The Magistrate Judge recommends that the District Court deny the Petition (Doc. 1). 11 12 13 14 15 I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND Petitioner is currently incarcerated at USP–Tucson, serving a 108-month sentence for Re-entry of a Deported Alien in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) & (b)(2). See 16 17 18 19 Response (Doc. 38), Talplacido Decl. (Exh. “A”), Judgment & Commitment 3/6/2012 (Attach. “2”) & Sentence Monitoring Computation Data (Attach. “3”). Petitioner committed the underlying offense which gave rise to his incarceration on July 14, 2011. 20 21 Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “2” at 1 & Attach. “3” at 1. Petitioner’s projected release date is 22 October 4, 2019 via Good Conduct Time (“GCT”) release. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “3” at 23 1. Petitioner filed a First Amended Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for a Writ of Habeas 24 25 Corpus by a Person in Federal Custody on April 21, 2014. See Petition (Doc. 18). 26 Petitioner challenges a disciplinary conviction that resulted in his loss of good 27 time credits. Petitioner alleges that “administrative staff has [sic] illegally forfeited [sic] 28 2 Rules of Practice of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. -2- 1 2 a grand total of 108 days of NONVESTED GOOD TIME CREDITS” in violation of his constitutional rights. Petition (Doc. 18) at 4. Petitioner requests this Court order 3 4 Respondents to return the 108 days of good time credits. Id. at 6. 5 6 II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 7 8 This matter arises from four (4) separate Incident Reports. Petitioner seeks relief 9 from the aggregate punishment of those proceedings. Petitioner instituted the current 10 proceeding on October 25, 2013. See Petition’s Writ of Habeas Corpus 28 U.S.C. § 2241 11 12 (Doc. 1). 13 A. Incident Report Number 2322016 14 On June 30, 2012 at approximately 5:50 p.m., Correctional Officer (“CO”) 15 Derrington was feeding the evening meal in the Special Housing Unit (“SHU”), when 16 17 18 19 Petitioner blocked the food slot and demanded a no egg tray. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Incident Report No. 2322016 (Attach. “6”) at 4. CO Derrington ordered Petitioner to allow him to close the food slot, but he refused. Id. Petitioner then threw his food tray 20 21 at CO Derrington, who avoided being hit. Id. Petitioner then used a long piece of metal 22 from the shower stall, put it through the food slot, and knocked the remaining food trays 23 from CO Derrington’s cart. Id. CO Derrington removed the weapon and notified the 24 25 Operations Lieutenant. Id. CO Derrington charged Petitioner with the prohibited act of 26 Attempt to Assault Any Person in violation of Code 224A. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. 27 “A,” Attach. “6” at 4. The following day, Lieutenant L. Williams delivered the incident 28 report to Petitioner. Id. Lieutenant Williams also investigated the incident and advised -3- 1 2 Petitioner of his rights. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 5. During Lieutenant Williams’s investigation, Petitioner stated that “they were trying to give me Spaghetti as the meal 3 4 5 6 and I do not eat eggs.” Id. Petitioner did not request any witnesses. Id. Lieutenant Williams forwarded the Incident Report to the Unit Discipline Committee (“UDC”) for further disposition. Id. 7 On July 5, 2012, the UDC conducted its hearing. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” 8 9 Attach. “6” at 6.3 At the hearing, Petitioner was advised of his rights, and stated that he 10 understood those rights. Id. Petitioner’s only statement was “no comment.” Id. Based 11 12 on the severity of the alleged misconduct, the UDC referred the matter to the Discipline 13 Hearing Officer (“DHO”) for final disposition, and if Petitioner was found guilty, 14 recommended sanctions including loss of Good Conduct Time (“GCT”), loss of 15 telephone privileges, and loss of commissary privileges. Id. The UDC also provided 16 17 18 19 Petitioner with a Notice of Discipline Hearing Before the DHO and his rights at that hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 7–8. Petitioner indicated that he wished to have a staff representative, as well as a witness at his DHO hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” 20 21 at 8. Later, Petitioner apparently signed a statement indicating that he had decided 22 against utilizing a staff representative at the DHO hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 23 8–9. 24 25 26 27 28 On October 10, 2012, Petitioner had a DHO hearing before DHO A. Truex. See Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” DHO Report for Incident Report No. 2322016 (Attach. 3 The typewritten date on Part II of Incident Report No. 2322016 is July 5, 2011, but all other dates associated with this portion of the incident were dated 2012. The Court finds that the 2011 date was a typographical error. -4- 1 2 “6”) at 1–3. DHO Truex noted that on July 5, 2012, Counselor H. Preston had advised Petitioner of his rights before the DHO, and he indicated that he understood them. Id., 3 4 5 6 Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 1. Petitioner waived his right to a staff representative at the DHO hearing. Id. Petitioner also waived his requested witnesses, stated that he understood his rights before the DHO, and “admitted guilt to attempting to assault an 7 8 9 10 11 12 officer by throwing the lid to his food tray at him.” Id. Petitioner declined to make any further statement, and did not submit any documentary evidence. Id. DHO Truex considered the Incident Report; Petitioner’s admission at the DHO hearing to committing the offense; and Petitioner’s silence during the investigation and 13 before the UDC, drawing an adverse inference therefrom. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” 14 Attach. “6” at 2. DHO Truex also noted that upon commitment to the BOP, Petitioner 15 participated in the Admission and Orientation (“A&O”) program, and was advised of 16 17 18 19 BOP rules and regulations, as well as provided an A&O handbook. Id. Accordingly, DHO Truex determined sufficient facts existed to find Petitioner guilty of the prohibited act of Attempting to Assault Any Person (Code 224A). Id. DHO Truex imposed 20 21 sanctions totaling thirty (30) days Disciplinary Segregation, twenty-seven (27) days 22 Disallowance of Good Conduct Time, and ninety (90) days loss of telephone privileges to 23 begin on January 8, 2013, consecutive to Incident Report Number 2341527. Id. On 24 25 26 27 28 November 30, 2012, DHO Truex signed the DHO report and it was delivered to Petitioner on December 7, 2012. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 3. On February 15, 2013, Petitioner filed his Regional Administrative Remedy Appeal regarding Incident Report Number 2322016. Petition (Doc. 18) at 13. On March -5- 1 2 19, 2013, Petitioner received a denial of his Regional Appeal. Response (Doc. 38), Attach. “A,” Admin. Remedy Index & Copies of Relevant Admin. Remedies (Attach. 3 4 5 6 “7”) at 145, 146. On June 4, 2013, Petitioner filed a Central Office Administrative Remedy Appeal to the Director. Petition (Doc. 18) at 12. In his appeal, Petitioner explains that although he received the Regional Director’s response on March 19, 2013, 7 8 9 10 11 12 he was transferred on March 20, 2013 to USP–Tucson. Id. The record is unclear as to when Petitioner received his legal papers and other personal property. A note by Petitioner on an Administrative Remedy Receipt dated February 15, 2013, regarding Incident Report No. 2322016, indicates that Petitioner received the Regional Appeal 13 decision on June 23, 2013. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 80.4 On July 2, 14 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was denied due to 15 Petitioner’s failure to include a staff memo excusing the untimeliness on July 5, 2013. 16 17 18 19 Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 57. On September 17, 2013, Petitioner wrote a letter to the Central Office Director indicating that he had been unsuccessfully attempting to obtain a “late memo” from prison staff, and accused BOP of preventing him from exhausting his 20 21 administrative remedies. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 101. On March 20, 2014, Unit 22 Manager S. Hansen issued a Memorandum for Administrative Remedy Clerk indicating 23 that Petitioner had arrived at USP–Tucson on December 2, 2013, and received his 24 25 26 27 28 personal property on or about May 16, 2013. Petition (Doc. 18) at 7. On June 23, 2014, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was accepted. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. 4 The February 15, 2013 “Receipt – Administrative Remedy” appears at page 80 of Attachment “7,” but the page number of the court’s docket is 130. Except where otherwise noted, this Order refers to the actual page number within an attachment. -6- 1 2 “7” at 70. No response was issued for Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal. Response (Doc. 38) at 7. 3 4 5 6 B. Incident Report Number 2323351 On July 4, 2012 at approximately 6:15 p.m., CO K. Luse “was passing out the evening meal on A-2 Range.” Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Incident Report No. 7 8 2323351 (Attach. “8”) at 4. When CO Luse attempted to hand the evening meal through 9 the food slot to Petitioner, Petitioner refused and “placed his arm on the food slot 10 preventing it from being closed.” Id. Petitioner stated that the noodles contained eggs, to 11 12 which he is allergic, and demanded CO Luse call the kitchen. Id. CO Luse and CO 13 Williamson informed Petitioner that the kitchen had been notified prior to the delivery of 14 the hot food tray, and the food service staff verified that the noodles did not contain any 15 eggs. Id. Petitioner was ordered to remove his arm from the food, but he refused. Id. 16 17 18 19 Petitioner became irate and used profanity, and as CO Luse proceeded down the range toward the next cell, Petitioner threw milk, trays, books, and trash in his direction. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 4. CO Luse was struck in the upper body 20 21 by a book thrown by Petitioner through his food slot. Id. CO Luse charged Petitioner 22 with the prohibited act of Assaulting any Person, Refusing to obey an order of any staff 23 member in violation of Code 224. 24 25 Id. The following day, Lieutenant A. Phillips delivered the incident report to Petitioner. Id. Lieutenant Phillips also investigated the 26 incident and advised Petitioner of his rights. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 5. During 27 Lieutenant Phillips’s investigation, Petitioner stated that he was “throwing items at the 28 food cart trying to knock the food trays off . . . not trying to hit the officer.” Id. -7- 1 2 Petitioner further stated that “he was trying to get the Officer to get a meal replacement for the spaghetti, stating it is an egg product.” Id. Lieutenant Phillips forwarded the 3 4 5 6 Incident Report to the UDC for further disposition. Id. On July 6, 2012, the UDC conducted its hearing. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 6. At the hearing, Petitioner was advised of his rights, and acknowledged 7 8 the same. Id. Petitioner’s only statement was “no comment.” Id. Based on the severity 9 of the misconduct, the UDC referred the matter to the DHO for final disposition, and if 10 Petitioner was found guilty, recommended sanctions including loss of GCT, disciplinary 11 12 segregation, and loss of commissary privileges. Id. The UDC also provided Petitioner 13 with a Notice of Discipline Hearing Before the DHO and his rights at that hearing. Id., 14 Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 7–8. 15 Petitioner indicated that he wished to have a staff representative, but did not request any witnesses, at his DHO hearing. Response (Doc. 16 17 18 19 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 8. Later, Petitioner apparently decided against utilizing a staff representative at the DHO hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 8–9. On October 10, 2012, Petitioner had a DHO hearing before DHO A. Truex. See 20 21 Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” DHO Report for Incident Report No. 2323351 (Attach. 22 “8”) at 1–3. DHO Truex noted that on July 6, 2012, Counselor H. Preston had advised 23 Petitioner of his rights before the DHO. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 1. At the DHO 24 25 hearing, Petitioner indicated that he understood his rights, waived his right to a staff 26 representative at the DHO hearing, and requested no witnesses. Id. Petitioner “admitted 27 guilt to assaulting an Officer by throwing a book at him and hitting him in [sic] the upper 28 side of his body.” Id. Petitioner declined to make any further statement, and did not -8- 1 2 submit any documentary evidence. Id. DHO Truex considered the Incident Report; Petitioner’s admission at the DHO 3 4 5 6 hearing to committing the offense; Petitioner’s admission during the investigation; and Petitioner’s silence before the UDC, drawing an adverse inference therefrom. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “8” at 2. DHO Truex also noted that upon commitment to the BOP, 7 8 Petitioner participated in the A&O program, and was advised of BOP rules and 9 regulations, as well as provided an A&O handbook. Id. Accordingly, DHO Truex 10 determined sufficient facts existed to find Petitioner committed the prohibited act of 11 12 Assaulting Any Person (Code 224). Id. DHO Truex imposed sanctions totaling thirty 13 (30) days Disciplinary Segregation, twenty-seven (27) days disallowance of GCT, and 14 one hundred twenty (120) days loss of telephone privileges to begin on April 8, 2013, 15 consecutive to Incident Report Numbers 2341527 and 2322016. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. 16 17 18 19 “8” at 3. On November 30, 2012, DHO Truex signed the DHO report and it was delivered to Petitioner on December 7, 2012. Id. On February 15, 2013, Petitioner filed his Regional Administrative Remedy 20 21 Appeal regarding Incident Report Number 2323351. Petition (Doc. 18) at 23; see also 22 Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 52. Petitioner’s Regional Appeal was 23 denied.5 Petition (Doc. 18) at 24. On May 30, 2013, Petitioner filed a Central Office 24 25 26 27 28 Administrative Remedy Appeal. Petition (Doc. 18) at 22. In his appeal, Petitioner 5 Petitioner redacted the date from his Regional Appeal Response, and the copy that appears to match filed by Respondent has a different Regional Administrative Remedy Appeal No. handwritten in, because it appears that the original page was miscopied. See Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Att. “7” at 224. The Court notes that the signature on each copy appears to match, and Respondent’s copy is dated March 7, 2013. -9- 1 2 explains that although he received the Regional Director’s response on March 19, 2013, he was transferred on March 20, 2013. Id. On June 5, 2013, Petitioner’s Central Office 3 4 5 6 Appeal was denied as untimely. Id. at 21; see also Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 55. On August 19, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was denied on August 29, 2013, because it lacked staff verification regarding its 7 8 untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 59. On September 27, 2013, Petitioner again 9 resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was denied on October 17, 2013, because it 10 lacked staff verification regarding its untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 60. On 11 12 November 12, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was again 13 denied on November 18, 2013, because it lacked staff verification regarding its 14 untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 63. On April 20, 2014, Petitioner resubmitted 15 his Central Office Appeal, with a March 20, 2014 memorandum containing staff 16 17 18 19 verification that his prior untimely submissions were not his fault. Petition (Doc. 18) at 20. Petitioner’s appeal was rejected, because “photocopies of the first page of [his] BP11 form [were] not acceptable.” Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 66. On 20 21 22 23 24 25 June 23, 2014, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was accepted. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 69. No response was issued. Response (Doc. 38) at 9. C. Incident Report Number 2323375 On July 4, 2012 at approximately 6:15 p.m., CO L. Williamson handed his keys to 26 CO Luse and “proceeded down A-2 range to notify Inmate Sanchez-Alaniz, Martin Reg. 27 #31293-177 what food service said about his dinner meal.” Response (Doc. 38), Exh. 28 “A,” Incident Report No. 2323375 (Attach. “9”) at 4. - 10 - CO Williamson approached 1 2 Petitioner’s cell # 215, and noted that the food slot was open and Petitioner had his arm resting on the slot. Id. CO Williamson informed Petitioner “that food service said the 3 4 5 6 dinner meal contained no eggs, [Petitioner] said[,] ‘they [sic] are a FUCKING lie and I’m tired of them playing Fucking games.” Id. Petitioner then picked up a Styrofoam cup filled with red liquid and threw it at CO Williamson, striking him on his right shoulder. 7 8 Id. CO Williamson notified the Special Housing Lieutenant of the incident. Id. CO 9 Williamson charged Petitioner with the prohibited act of Assaulting Any Person, 10 Refusing to obey an order of any staff member in violation of Code 224. Response (Doc. 11 12 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 4. The following day, Lieutenant A. Phillips delivered the 13 incident report to Petitioner. Id. Lieutenant Phillips also investigated the incident and 14 advised Petitioner of his rights. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 5. During Lieutenant 15 Phillips’s investigation, Petitioner indicated that he understood his rights, and stated “that 16 17 18 19 he did throw a cup of Kool-Aid on the Officer due to being mad about his meal . . . [and] that he was trying to get the Officer to get a meal replacement for the spaghetti, stating it is an egg product.” Id. Lieutenant Phillips forwarded the Incident Report to the UDC for 20 21 further disposition. Id. 22 On July 6, 2012, the UDC conducted its hearing. Response (Doc. 35), Exh. “A,” 23 Attach. “9” at 6. At the hearing, Petitioner was advised of his rights, and acknowledged 24 25 the same. Id. Petitioner’s only statement was “no comment.” Id. Based on the severity 26 of the misconduct, the UDC referred the matter to the DHO for final disposition, and if 27 Petitioner was found guilty, recommended sanctions including loss of GCT, disciplinary 28 segregation, and loss of telephone privileges. Id. The UDC also provided Petitioner with - 11 - 1 2 a Notice of Discipline Hearing Before the DHO and his rights at that hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 7–8. Petitioner indicated that he wished to have a staff representative 3 4 5 6 at his DHO hearing, but no witnesses. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 8. Later, Petitioner apparently decided against utilizing a staff representative at the DHO hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 8–9. 7 8 On October 10, 2012, Petitioner had a DHO hearing before DHO A. Truex. See 9 Response (Doc. 35), Exh. “A,” DHO Report for Incident Report No. 2323375 (Attach. 10 “9”) at 1–3. DHO Truex noted that on July 6, 2012, Counselor H. Preston had advised 11 12 Petitioner of his rights before the DHO. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 1. At the DHO 13 hearing, Petitioner indicated that he understood his rights, waived his right to a staff 14 representative at the DHO hearing, and requested no witnesses. Id. Petitioner “admitted 15 guilt to assaulting an Officer by throwing a cup filled with red liquid at him and hitting 16 17 18 19 him on his right shoulder.” Id. Petitioner declined to make any further statement, and did not submit any documentary evidence. Id. DHO Truex considered the Incident Report; Petitioner’s admission at the DHO 20 21 hearing to committing the offense; Petitioner’s admission during the investigation; and 22 Petitioner’s silence before the UDC, drawing an adverse inference therefrom. Id., Exh. 23 “A,” Attach. “9” at 2. DHO Truex also noted that upon commitment to the BOP, 24 25 Petitioner participated in the A&O program, and was advised of BOP rules and 26 regulations, as well as provided an A&O handbook. Id. Accordingly, DHO Truex 27 determined sufficient facts existed to find Petitioner committed the prohibited act of 28 Assaulting Any Person (Code 224). Id. DHO Truex imposed sanctions totaling thirty - 12 - 1 2 (30) days Disciplinary Segregation, twenty-seven (27) days disallowance of GCT, and one hundred twenty (120) days loss of telephone privileges to begin on August 6, 2013, 3 4 5 6 consecutive to Incident Report Numbers 2341527, 2322016, and 2323351. Id. On November 30, 2012, DHO Truex signed the DHO report and it was delivered to Petitioner on December 7, 2012. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “9” at 3. 7 8 On February 15, 2013, Petitioner filed his Regional Administrative Remedy 9 Appeal regarding Incident Report Number 2323375. Petition (Doc. 18) at 28; see also 10 Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 52. On March 7, 2013, Petitioner’s 11 12 Regional Appeal was denied. Petition (Doc. 18) at 29; Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” 13 Attach. “7” at 218. On May 31, 2013, Petitioner filed a Central Office Administrative 14 Remedy Appeal. Petition (Doc. 18) at 27. In his appeal, Petitioner explains that although 15 he received the Regional Director’s response on March 19, 2013, he was transferred on 16 17 18 19 March 20, 2013. Id. On July 1, 2013, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was denied as untimely. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 202. It appears that on July 1, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted the Central Office Appeal, which was rejected on July 3, 20 21 2013, reiterating the need to provide staff verification to excuse untimeliness. Id., Exh. 22 “A,” Attach. “7” at 57. On August 19, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office 23 Appeal, which was denied on August 29, 2013 due to a lack of staff verification 24 25 regarding the untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 58, 206. On September 27, 26 2013, Petitioner again resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was denied on 27 October 17, 2013, because it lacked staff verification regarding its untimeliness. Id., Exh. 28 “A,” Attach. “7” at 61, 205. On November 12, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central - 13 - 1 2 Office Appeal, which was again denied on November 18, 2013, because it lacked staff verification regarding its untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 62, 204; see also 3 4 5 6 Petition (Doc. 18) at 26. On April 28, 2014, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 68. Petitioner’s appeal was rejected, because “photocopies of the first page of [his] BP-11 form [were] not 7 8 9 10 acceptable.” Id. On June 23, 2014, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was accepted. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 70. No response was issued. Response (Doc. 38) at 11. 11 12 13 14 15 D. Incident Report Number 2341527 On August 20, 2012 at approximately 3:00 p.m., CO J. Shoule was working in the medium security Special Housing Unit (“SHU”). Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Incident Report No. 2341527 (Attach. “10”) at 4. Petitioner and Inmate Velasquez were 16 17 18 19 being held in an upstairs holding cell, so that their cell could be searched for contraband. Id. After the search, Petitioner and Inmate Velasquez saw contraband that was being removed from their cell, and Petitioner became aggravated, banging the window of the 20 21 holding cell repeatedly with a food tray, and breaking the sprinkler head, which resulted 22 in flooding the upper and lower levels of the SHU. Id. CO Soule notified the SHU 23 Lieutenant, as well as the plumbing shop, in order to turn off the water, and assess the 24 25 damage. Id. CO Soule charged Petitioner with the prohibited act of Destroying 26 Government Property in violation of Code 218. Id. The following day, Lieutenant F. 27 Watts delivered the incident report to Petitioner. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. 28 “10” at 4–5. Lieutenant Watts also investigated the incident and advised Petitioner of his - 14 - 1 2 rights. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 5. During Lieutenant Watts’s investigation, Petitioner stated that he did not do it. Id. Petitioner did not request any witnesses. Id. 3 4 5 6 Lieutenant Watts forwarded the incident report for further disposition. Id. On August 24, 2012, the UDC conducted its hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 6. At the hearing, Petitioner read his rights, and stated that he understood those rights. 7 8 Id. Petitioner stated that “he did not break the sprinkler system. He has hair and his 9 cellmate is bald-headed.” Id. Based on the severity of the alleged misconduct, the UDC 10 referred the matter to the DHO for final disposition, and if Petitioner was found guilty, 11 12 recommended all appropriate sanctions deemed necessary by the DHO. Id. The UDC 13 also provided Petitioner with a Notice of Discipline Hearing Before the DHO and his 14 rights at that hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach “10” at 7–8. Petitioner indicated that he 15 wished to have a staff representative, as well as a witness, Lieutenant Fleming, at his 16 17 18 19 DHO hearing. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 8. Later, Petitioner apparently decided against utilizing a staff representative at the DHO hearing. Id. On October 10, 2012, Petitioner had a DHO hearing before DHO A. Truex. See 20 21 Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” DHO Report for Incident Report No. 2341527 (Attach. 22 “10”) at 1–3. DHO Truex noted that on August 21, 2012, Case Manager L. Montgomery 23 had advised Petitioner of his rights before the DHO. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 1. At 24 25 the DHO hearing, Petitioner indicated that he understood his rights, waived his right to a 26 staff representative at the DHO hearing, and requested no witnesses. Id. Petitioner 27 “admitted guilt to breaking a sprinkler head in a Special Housing Unit (SHU) holding 28 cell.” Id. Petitioner declined to make any further statement, and did not submit any - 15 - 1 documentary evidence. Id. 2 DHO Truex considered the Incident Report and Petitioner’s admission at the DHO 3 4 5 6 hearing to committing the offense. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 2. DHO Truex also noted that upon commitment to the BOP, Petitioner participated in the A&O program, and was advised of BOP rules and regulations, as well as provided an A&O handbook. 7 8 Id. Accordingly, DHO Truex determined sufficient facts existed to find Petitioner 9 committed the prohibited act of Damaging Life-Safety Devices (Sprinkler Head) 10 Regardless of Financial Value (Code 218). Id. DHO Truex imposed sanctions totaling 11 12 thirty (30) days Disciplinary Segregation, twenty-seven (27) days disallowance of GCT, 13 and ninety (90) days loss of telephone privileges to begin on October 10, 2012. Id. On 14 November 30, 2012, DHO Truex signed the DHO report and it was delivered to 15 Petitioner on December 7, 2012. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “10” at 3. 16 17 18 19 On February 15, 2013, Petitioner filed his Regional Administrative Remedy Appeal regarding Incident Report Number 2341527. Petition (Doc. 18) at 19; see also Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 52, 230. On March 7, 2013, Petitioner’s 20 21 Regional Appeal was denied. Petition (Doc. 18) at 18; Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” 22 Attach. “7” at 232, 233. 23 Administrative Remedy Appeal. Petition (Doc. 18) at 17; Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” 24 25 On May 30, 2013, Petitioner filed a Central Office Attach. “7” at 54, 219. In his appeal, Petitioner explains that although he received the 26 Regional Director’s response on March 19, 2013, he was transferred on March 20, 2013. 27 Petition (Doc. 18) at 17; Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 219. On June 5, 28 2013, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was denied as untimely. Petition (Doc. 18) at - 16 - 1 2 16; Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 54, 227. It appears that Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal on May 31, 2013; however, the reason for its 3 4 5 6 rejection are unclear. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 55. On August 19, 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was denied on August 29, 2013 due to a lack of staff verification regarding the untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. 7 8 “7” at 59, 239. On September 27, 2013, Petitioner again resubmitted his Central Office 9 Appeal, which was denied on October 17, 2013, because it lacked staff verification 10 regarding its untimeliness. Id., Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 61, 238. On November 12, 11 12 2013, Petitioner resubmitted his Central Office Appeal, which was again denied on 13 November 18, 2013, because it lacked staff verification regarding its untimeliness. Id., 14 Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 63, 253. On April 28, 2014, Petitioner resubmitted his Central 15 Office Appeal. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 67. Petitioner’s appeal was 16 17 18 19 rejected, because “photocopies of the first page of [his] BP-11 form [were] not acceptable.” Id. On June 23, 2014, Petitioner’s Central Office Appeal was accepted. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 71. No response was issued. Response 20 21 (Doc. 38) at 13. 22 23 III. ANALYSIS 24 25 A. Jurisdiction 26 “Federal courts are always ‘under an independent obligation to examine their own 27 jurisdiction,’ . . . and a federal court may not entertain an action over which it has no 28 jurisdiction.” Hernandez v. Campbell, 204 F.3d 861, 865 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting - 17 - 1 2 FW/PBS, Inc. v. City of Dallas, 493 U.S. 215, 231, 110 S.Ct. 596, 107 L.Ed.2d 603 (1990), overruled in part on other grounds by City of Littleton, Colo. v. Z.J. Gifts D-4, 3 4 5 6 L.L.C., 541 U.S. 774 (2004)). “Generally, motions to contest the legality of a sentence must be filed under § 2255 in the sentencing court, while petitions that challenge the manner, location, or conditions of a sentence’s execution must be brought pursuant to § 7 8 9 10 11 12 2241 in the custodial court.” Id. at 864. Therefore, a proper characterization of the petition is necessary to a determination of jurisdiction. Id. Here, Petitioner does not claim that the sentencing court imposed an illegal sentence, rather he seeks relief with respect to disciplinary proceedings while 13 incarcerated at a federal facility. As such, Petitioner is challenging the manner, location 14 or condition of the execution of his sentence. See e.g., Rogers v. United States, 180 F.3d 15 349 (1st Cir. 1999) (section 2241 petition is appropriate vehicle to challenge the 16 17 18 19 correctness of a jail-time credit determination, once administrative remedies have been exhausted); Nettles v. Grounds, — F.3d — (9th Cir. 2015), (habeas relief is available “if success on the claim would ‘necessarily spell speedier release’ from custody, which . . . 20 21 would include termination of custody, acceleration of the future date of release from 22 custody, or reduction of the level of custody.”) (citing Skinner v. Switzer, 562 U.S. 521, 23 534–35 & n. 13, 131 S.Ct. 1289, 1299 & n. 13, 179 L.Ed.2d 233 (2011)); Tucker v. 24 25 Carlson, 925 F.2d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1991) (a prisoner’s challenge to the “manner in 26 which his sentence was executed . . . [is] maintainable only in a petition for habeas 27 corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241”); Weinstein v. U.S. Parole Comm’n, 902 F.2d 28 1451, 1452 (9th Cir. 1990) (“The district court had jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § - 18 - 1 2 2241 to review a claim by a federal prisoner challenging a decision of the United States Parole Commission”); Bostic v. Carlson, 884 F.2d 1267, 1269 (9th Cir. 1989) (“Habeas 3 4 5 6 corpus jurisdiction is also available for a prisoner’s claims that he has been subjected to greater restrictions of his liberty, such as disciplinary segregation without due process of law”). Such a challenge must be brought pursuant to § 2241 in the custodial court. At 7 8 9 10 the time of filing the Petition, Petitioner was incarcerated at USP – Tucson in Arizona. Accordingly, this Court has jurisdiction over this matter. Francis v. Rison, 894 F.2d 353 (9th Cir. 1990). 11 12 13 14 15 B. Exhaustion 1. In General The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated: 18 [28 U.S.C. § 2241] does not specifically require petitioners to exhaust direct appeals before filing petitions for habeas corpus. [Footnote omitted.] However, we require, as a prudential matter, that habeas petitioners exhaust available judicial and administrative remedies before seeking relief under § 2241. 19 Castro-Cortez v. INS, 239 F.3d 1037, 1047 (9th Cir. 2001), abrogated on other grounds 16 17 20 by Fernandez-Vargas v. Gonzales, 548 U.S. 30, 126 S.Ct. 2422, 165 L.Ed.2d 323 (2006). 21 22 “The requirement that federal prisoners exhaust administrative remedies before filing a 23 habeas corpus petition was judicially created; it is not a statutory requirement.” Brown v. 24 Rison, 895 F.2d 533, 535 (9th Cir. 1990), overruled on other grounds by Reno v. Koray, 25 26 515 U.S. 50, 54–55, 115 S.Ct. 2021, 2023–24, 132 L.Ed.2d 46 (1995). “Nevertheless, 27 ‘[p]rudential limits like jurisdictional limits and limits on venue, are ordinarily not 28 optional.’” Puga v. Chertoff, 488 F.3d 812, 815 (9th Cir. 2007) (alterations in original) - 19 - 1 2 (quoting Castro-Cortez v. INS, 239 F.3d 1037, 1047 (9th Cir. 2001), abrogated on other grounds by Fernandez-Vargas v. Gonzales, 548 U.S. 30, 126 S.Ct. 2422, 165 L.Ed.2d 3 4 5 6 323 (2006)). “Courts may require prudential exhaustion if ‘(1) agency expertise makes agency consideration necessary to generate a proper record and reach a proper decision; (2) 7 8 relaxation of the requirement would encourage the deliberate bypass of the administrative 9 scheme; and (3) administrative review is likely to allow the agency to correct its own 10 mistakes and to preclude the need for judicial review.’” Id. (quoting Noriega-Lopez v. 11 12 Ashcroft, 335 F.3d 874, 881 (9th Cir. 2003)). “When a petitioner does not exhaust 13 administrative remedies, a district court ordinarily should either dismiss the petition 14 without prejudice or stay the proceedings until the petitioner has exhausted remedies, 15 unless exhaustion is excused.” Leonardo v. Crawford, 646 F.3d 1157, 1160 (9th Cir. 16 17 18 19 2011) (citations omitted). Exhaustion may be excused if pursuing an administrative remedy would be futile. Fraley v. United States Bureau of Prisons, 1 F.3d 924, 925 (9th Cir. 1993). 20 21 If a prisoner is unable to obtain an administrative remedy because of his failure to 22 appeal in a timely manner, then the petitioner has procedurally defaulted his habeas 23 corpus claim. See Nigro v. Sullivan, 40 F.3d 990, 997 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Francis, 24 25 Francis v. Rison, 894 F.2d 353, 354 (9th Cir. 1990); Martinez v. Roberts, 804 F.2d 570, 26 571 (9th Cir. 1986)). If a claim is procedurally defaulted, the court may require the 27 petitioner to demonstrate cause for the procedural default and actual prejudice from the 28 alleged constitutional violation. See Francis, 894 F.2d at 355 (suggesting that the cause - 20 - 1 2 and prejudice test is the appropriate test); Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 492, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 2647–48, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986) (cause and prejudice test applied to 3 4 5 6 procedural defaults on appeal); Hughes v. Idaho State Bd. of Corrections, 800 F.2d 905, 906–08 (9th Cir. 1986) (cause and prejudice test applied to pro se litigants). 2. BOP Administrative Procedures 7 8 The BOP has established an administrative remedy process permitting an inmate 9 to seek review of an issue relating to “any aspect of his/her own confinement.” 28 C.F.R. 10 § 542.10(a). Under that process, an inmate seeking to appeal a DHO decision shall 11 12 submit the appeal “initially to the Regional Director for the region where the inmate is 13 currently located.” 28 C.F.R. § 542.14(d)(2). “An inmate who is not satisfied with the 14 Regional Director’s response may submit an Appeal on the appropriate form (BP-11) to 15 the General Counsel within 30 calendar days of the date the Regional Director signed the 16 17 18 19 response.” 28 C.F.R. § 542.15(a). The deadlines contained within this process may be extended upon request by the inmate and a showing of a valid reason for delay. 28 C.F.R. § 542.15(a); 28 C.F.R. § 542.14(b). An appeal is considered filed on the date it is 20 21 logged in the Administrative Remedy Index as received. 28 C.F.R. § 542.18. Once an 22 appeal is filed, a Regional Director shall respond within 30 days; General Counsel shall 23 respond within 40 calendar days. Id. “If the inmate does not receive a response within 24 25 26 27 28 the time allotted for reply, including extension, the inmate may consider the absence of a response to be a denial at that level.” Id. 3. Exhaustion in the Instant Case Here, Respondent avers that Petitioner has failed to exhaust his administrative - 21 - 1 2 remedies. Response (Doc. 38) at 15. Respondent acknowledges that Petitioner “believes that he has exhausted his administrative remedies[,]” but asserts that “Petitioner has 3 4 5 6 repeatedly sent administrative remedies to the Central Office without addressing the defects in the remedies[,] [and] [t]he Central Office has not issued a final decision.” Id. The Court disagrees with Respondent’s assertion. 7 8 The record shows that on June 23, 2014, each of Petitioner’s Central Office 9 Appeals was accepted. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “7” at 69–71. Moreover, 10 as of November 7, 2014, General Counsel had not responded to any of the appeals.6 11 12 Response (Doc. 38) at 7, 9, 11, 13. “When a petitioner does not exhaust administrative 13 remedies, a district court ordinarily should either dismiss the petition without prejudice or 14 stay the proceedings until the petitioner has exhausted remedies, unless exhaustion is 15 excused.” Leonardo v. Crawford, 646 F.3d 1157, 1160 (9th Cir. 2011). In this case, 16 17 18 19 General Counsel had not responded to Petitioner’s BP-11 appeals more than four (4) months after they were accepted. As such, the Court finds it appropriate to consider “the absence of a response to be a denial at that level[.]” See Martin v. Fed. Bureau of 20 21 Prisons, 2011 WL 6057608, *2 (C.D. Cal. 2011) (“If General Counsel fails to respond 22 within 40 days, the inmate can assume that the appeal was denied and proceed with a 23 lawsuit”). Additionally, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has recognized that: 24 25 26 the requirement of exhaustion of remedies [is to] aid judicial review by allowing the appropriate development of a factual record in an expert forum; conserve the court’s time because of the possibility that the relief applied for may be granted at the administrative level; and allow the 27 28 6 November 7, 2014 is the date that Respondent’s Response was originally lodged with the Court. - 22 - 1 2 administrative agency an opportunity to correct errors occurring in the course of administrative proceedings. 3 Ruviwat v. Smith, 701 F.2d 844, 845 (9th Cir. 1983). In this case, the factual record is 4 adequately developed, and nothing in the record suggests that further administrative 5 6 review would result in any changes. Accordingly, the Court finds the Petitioner’s claims 7 exhausted; however, even if the exhaustion is faulty, it shall be excused and the Court 8 will reach the merits. 9 C. Due Process 10 11 “Due process in a prison disciplinary hearing is satisfied if the inmate receives 12 written notice of the charges, and a statement of the evidence relied on by the prison 13 officials and the reasons for disciplinary action.” Zimmerlee v. Keeny, 831 F.2d 183, 186 14 15 (9th Cir. 1987) (citing Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 563–66, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 2978– 16 79, 41 L.Ed.2d 935 (1974)). Additionally, “[t]he inmate has a limited right to call 17 witnesses and to present documentary evidence when permitting him to do so would not 18 19 unduly threaten institutional safety and goals.” Id. (citations omitted). “Prison 20 disciplinary proceedings[, however,] are not part of a criminal prosecution, and the full 21 panoply of rights due a defendant in such proceedings do[] not apply.” Wolff, 418 U.S. at 22 556, 94 S.Ct. at 2975. 23 24 Once the minimal procedural requirements of Wolff are met, the district court must 25 ask “whether there is any evidence in the record that could support the conclusion 26 reached by the disciplinary board.” Superintendent, Mass. Corrections Inst. v. Hill, 472 27 28 U.S. 445, 455–56, 105 S.Ct. 2768, 2774, 86 L.Ed.2d 356 (1985). “[T]he requirements of - 23 - 1 2 due process are satisfied if some evidence supports the decision by the prison disciplinary board to revoke good time credits.” Id. “Ascertaining whether this standard is satisfied 3 4 5 6 does not require examination of the entire record, independent assessment of the credibility of witnesses, or weighing of the evidence.” Id. Indeed, “[t]he standard is ‘minimally stringent’ only requiring ‘any evidence in the record that could support the 7 8 9 10 11 12 conclusion reached by the disciplinary board.’” Cato v. Rushen, 824 F.2d 703, 705 (9th Cir. 1987) (citing Hill, 472 U.S. at 454–56, 105 S.Ct. at 2774) (emphasis added in Cato). 1. Good Conduct Time Petitioner asserts that on October 10, 2013, he was found guilty in four 13 separate disciplinary proceedings, and the DHO forfeited twenty-seven (27) days of 14 regular GCT in each case; however, as of that date Petitioner “had no good time credits 15 available for forfiture [sic], therefore, administrative staff illegally forfitted [sic] 16 17 18 19 NONVESTED GOOD TIME CREDITS.” Petition (Doc. 18) at 4 (emphasis in original). Petitioner further argues that “the DHO is not authorized to forfite [sic] more than 54 days good time credits per calender [sic] year for any 200 series disciplinary case(s) [and] 20 21 consequently, the DHO can not [sic] forfite [sic] 108 days of regular good time or 22 NONVESTED GOOD TIME in these cases because it exceeds the maximum limit 23 allowed by law.” Id. (emphasis in original). Petitioner’s contention that there is a fifty- 24 25 26 27 28 four (54) day annual “limit” on the amount of GCT that an inmate may be disallowed is incorrect. As such, his claims are without merit and shall be denied. Section 3625(b), Title 18, of the United States Code governs the timing of federal prisoners’ release from custody, including their eligibility for good conduct time. This - 24 - 1 2 section was enacted as part of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, 98 Stat. 1987, 18 U.S.C. § 3551 et seq., 28 U.S.C. §§ 991–998 (“SRA”), “a comprehensive law that 3 4 5 6 reformed federal sentencing practice and directed the newly create United States Sentencing Commission ‘to devise guidelines to be used for sentencing’ in district courts.” Barber v. Thomas, 560 U.S. 474, 481–82, 130 S.Ct. 2499, 2505, 177 L.Ed.2d 1 7 8 (2010). The SRA was part of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 (“CCCA”), 9 which repealed the previous statutes governing “good time.” Pub. L. No. 98-473; see 10 also Brown v. McGrew, 2013 WL 6512948, * 4 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 12, 2013) (reviewing 11 12 enactment of 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b) and amendments thereto). “For inmates serving a 13 sentence for offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987, but before September 13, 14 1994, the Bureau will award 54 days credit toward service of sentence (good conduct 15 time credit) for each year served.” 28 C.F.R. § 523.20(a). “This amount is prorated 16 17 18 19 when the time served by the inmate for the sentence during the year is less than a full year.” Id. “For inmates serving a sentence for offenses committed on or after September 13, 1994, but before April 26, 1996, all yearly awards of good conduct time will vest for 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 inmates who have earned, or are making satisfactory progress . . . toward earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential.” 28 C.F.R. § 523.20(b). On April 26, 1996, Section 3624(b) was amended by the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”). See PL 104–134, April 26, 1996, 110 Stat 1321. Section 3624(b) provides in relevant part: (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a prisoner who is serving a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year other than a term of imprisonment for the duration of the prisoner’s life, may receive credit toward the service of - 25 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 the prisoner’s sentence, beyond the time served, of up to 54 days at the end of each year of the prisoner’s term of imprisonment, beginning at the end of the first year of the term, subject to determination by the Bureau of Prisons that, during that year, the prisoner has displayed exemplary compliance with institutional disciplinary regulations. Subject to paragraph (2), if the Bureau determines that during that year, the prisoner has not satisfactorily complied with such institutional regulations, the prisoner shall receive no such credit toward service of the prisoner’s sentence or shall receive such lesser credit as the Bureau determines to be appropriate. In awarding credit under this section, the Bureau shall consider whether the prisoner, during the relevant period, has earned, or is making satisfactory progress toward earning, a high school diploma or an equivalent degree. Credit that has not been earned may not later be granted. Subject to paragraph (2), credit for the last year or portion of a year of the term of imprisonment shall be prorated and credited within the last six weeks of the sentence. (2) Notwithstanding any other law, credit awarded under this subsection after the date of enactment of the Prison Litigation Reform Act shall vest on the date the prisoner is released from custody. 14 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b); see also 28 C.F.R. § 523.20(c). Unlike previous amendments, GCT 15 awarded to an inmate under the PLRA does not vest under any circumstances until “the 16 date the prisoner is released from custody.” 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b)(2). “Thus, under the 17 18 PLRA, all of a prisoner’s cumulative good-conduct time can be taken by the BOP as a 19 sanction for a prison disciplinary action.” Brown, 2013 WL 6512948 at *4 (citing 18 20 U.S.C. § 3624(b)(2); 28 C.F.R. § 523.20(e); Gary v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 2010 WL 21 22 1611020, *8 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 21, 2010). 23 Here, Petitioner conviction stems from a November 28, 2011 offense. Response 24 (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Judgment & Commitment 3/6/2012 (Attach. “2”). As such, the 25 26 PLRA applies to his sentence. Each of Petitioner’s violations, BOP Code Nos. 224, 27 224A, and 218, are classified as High Category offenses. 28 C.F.R. § 541.13, Table 3. 28 The prison can sanction a prisoner who performs a prohibited act by “[d]isallow[ing] - 26 - 1 2 ordinarily between 25 and 50% (14–27 days) of good conduct time credit available for [a] year[.]” 28 C.F.R. § 541.13, Table 3, High Category, Sanctions B.1. For PLRA inmates 3 4 5 6 committing High Category offenses, Sanction B.1 is mandatory. 28 C.F.R. § 541.13(a)(2). Pursuant to that regulation, the DHO imposed a sanction disallowing 27 days of GCT for each offense. Response (Doc. 38), Exh. “A,” Attach. “6” at 2, Attach 7 8 “8” at 2, Attach. “9” at 2, Attach. “10” at 2. 9 Petitioner has not pointed to any rules, regulations or other authority stating that 10 the DHO could not impose Sanction B.1 to disallow more than fifty-four (54) days of 11 12 GCT in a twelve (12) month period. As noted by the Brown court, “[i]ndeed, such a rule 13 would appear to conflict with the PLRA, which states that good-conduct time does not 14 vest until a prisoner is released from prison, and thus the DHO can sanction a prisoner 15 either by forfeiting good-conduct time that the prisoner has already earned or 16 17 18 19 prospectively disallowing good-conduct time that a prisoner has not yet earned.” Brown, 2013 WL 6512948 at *5 (citations omitted); see also 18 U.S.C. § 3624(b). Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim must fail. 20 21 2. Due Process in Petitioner’s Disciplinary Proceedings 22 Petitioner does not allege any other irregularities in his disciplinary proceedings. 23 The record indicates that in each instance, Petitioner received written notice of the 24 25 charges; had the opportunity to call witnesses, present documentary evidence, and have a 26 staff representative; and received a statement of the evidence relied on by the prison 27 officials, and the reasons for disciplinary actions. 28 Furthermore, there is sufficient evidence to support the decision of the DHO. Accordingly, Petitioner received the - 27 - 1 requisite due process in his proceedings. 2 D. Conclusion 3 In light of the foregoing, the Court finds that the due process requirements as 4 5 6 delineated by Wolff were met in this case. Additionally, the Court finds that the DHO findings were supported by “some evidence” as required by Hill. Petitioner’s contention 7 8 9 regarding the improper disallowance of GCT is without merit. Therefore, the Petitioner’s Petition (Doc. 18) shall be denied. 10 11 12 IV. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 13 Also pending before the Court is Petitioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment and 14 Motion to Strike (Doc. 51). Petitioner’s motion for summary judgment is identical to his 15 reply. As such, if the motion is addressed as a motion for summary judgment on 16 17 18 19 Petitioner’s claims, it is unnecessary and procedurally improper. Habeas proceedings are, by their nature, presumptively summary proceedings. See Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, Rule 8 (determination whether hearing required) and Rule 1 (rules applicable to § 20 21 2241 proceedings). In light of the Magistrate Judge’s determination that the Petition 22 (Doc. 18) is without merit, and because the motion is procedurally duplicative and 23 unnecessary, the Magistrate Judge recommends that the District Judge deny Petitioner’s 24 25 Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 51) as moot. 26 Additionally, Petitioner seeks an Order from this Court striking the good time data 27 sheet because it is fraudulent and or falsified. Petitioner argues inter alia that the vested 28 amount and vested date are both blank “because the good time data sheet is fraudulent or - 28 - 1 2 falsified.” Mot. for Summ. J. and Mot. to Strike (Doc. 51) at 5. This and Petitioner’s other contentions regarding the “false” nature of the prison records are based on his 3 4 5 6 misunderstanding of GCT and the prisons ability to forfeit the same under the PLRA. Accordingly, the Court finds Petitioner’s arguments regarding BOP falsifying records to be without merit, and his motion to strike should be denied. 7 8 9 V. 10 11 12 MOTION TO WAIVE FORM REQUIREMENTS Petitioner has also filed a Motion for Waiver of Form Requirements (Doc. 58), seeking leave to “not comply with the basic form requirements of the federal rules of 13 civil procedure or . . . the local court rules that govern the basic form requirements issued 14 by the court.” Mot. for Waiver of Form Requirements (Doc. 58) at 1. Petitioner states 15 that he has lost his prescription glasses in transit, and therefore cannot comply with the 16 17 18 19 Court’s rules. Id. The Court has considered all filings made by Petitioner in reaching its decision regarding his Petition, and as such Petitioner’s motion is moot. To the extent that Petitioner seeks to be relieved of responsibility to follow this Court’s procedural 20 21 rules, his motion will be denied. Petitioner has been able to adequately address his 22 claims throughout this litigation. If Petitioner requires additional time or other specific 23 accommodation to file objections to this report and recommendation, he appears capable 24 25 of requesting the same through a motion to the District Court Judge. 26 Petitioner’s Motion for Waiver of Form Requirements (Doc. 58) will be denied. 27 ... 28 ... - 29 - As such, 1 VI. 2 RECOMMENDATION For the reasons delineated above, the Magistrate Judge recommends that the 3 4 District Judge enter an order: 5 6 (1) SUBSTITUTING J.T. Shartle, Warden, as Respondent for Charles E. Samuels, Jr. pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 7 8 43(c)(2) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure; (2) 9 10 a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Federal Custody (Doc. 18); 11 (3) DENYING AS MOOT Petitioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. (4) DENYING Petitioner’s Motion to Strike (Doc. 51); and (5) 12 13 DENYING Petitioner’s First Amended Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 for DENYING Petitioner’s Motion for Waiver of Form Requirements (Doc. 51); 14 15 16 17 18 19 58). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Rule 72(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, any party may serve and file written objections within fourteen (14) days after 20 21 being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation. A party may respond to 22 another party’s objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy. Fed. 23 R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2). No replies shall be filed unless leave is granted from the District 24 25 26 27 28 Court. If objections are filed, the parties should use the following case number: CV-140324-TUC-RCC. Failure to file timely objections to any factual or legal determination of the Magistrate Judge may result in waiver of the right of review. The Clerk of the Court - 30 - 1 2 shall send a copy of this Report and Recommendation to all parties. Dated this 17th day of June, 2015. 3 4 5 6 Honorable Bruce G. Macdonald United States Magistrate Judge 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 31 -

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