Cannon v. Daves et al

Filing 95

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS to Grant 70 Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment re 1 Prisoner Civil Rights Complaint signed by Magistrate Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta on 3/31/2022. Referred to Judge Thurston. Objections to F&R due within fourteen (14) days. (Jessen, A)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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KELVIN CANNON,

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Case No. 1:18-cv-00666-JLT-HBK

Plaintiff,

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO
GRANT DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR
SUMMARY JUDGMENT

v.
FNU GALLAGHER, FNU GAMBOA;
FNU CHILDRESS, FNU PEREZ, FNU
ROCHA, FNU VANG, FNU KONG, FNU
GONSALVES, FNU TORRES, FNU
BRANDON, FNU HERNANDEZ, FNU
PODSAKOFF, FNU WILSON, FNU
SHELBY,

FOURTEEN-DAY OBJECTION PERIOD
(Doc. No. 70)

Defendants.

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Pending before the Court is Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. (Doc. No. 70,

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“MSJ”). Plaintiff filed an opposition and Defendants filed a reply. (Doc. Nos. 77, 86). For the

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reasons below, the undersigned finds no genuine dispute as to any material facts and recommends

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the district court grant Defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
I. BACKGROUND

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A. Allegations in Complaint

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Plaintiff Kelvin Cannon, a state prisoner, proceeds pro se on his civil rights complaint

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filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. No. 1, “Complaint”). The gravamen of the Complaint

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is that correctional officials at California State Prison-Corcoran failed to adhere to prison’s Heat

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Plan resulting in Plaintiff being exposed to excessive heat with any accommodations.

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Specifically, Plaintiff’s alleges he was subjected to excessive temperatures in his general housing

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unit during the months of July and August in 2016, and in his secured management housing unit

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in June, July, and August in 2017. (Doc. No. 1). The Complaint sets forth, in diary-like fashion,

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the alleged temperatures in Plaintiff’s cell and housing units for various dates in July and August

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2016, and June through August 2017. (Id. at 5-14, ¶¶7-47). In summary, Plaintiff claims the

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inside temperatures in his housing units ranged from 95 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and even hit

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105 degrees on occasion. (Id.). Despite Plaintiff repeatedly complaining to correctional officials

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about the excessive temperatures, he was not provided heat-related accommodations in

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compliance with the Heat Plan. (See generally id.). Plaintiff admits that on various dates officers

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provided cold water in a 5-gallon igloo container in the day room, but he complains that the water

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was delivered late or he was not given access to the water as frequently as he believed necessary,

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and he claims no other accommodations were provided, instead he was told to drink the water

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from his faucet in his cell. (Id. ¶¶7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 31, 36 and 37). Plaintiff

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states his medications make him susceptible to the heat and he experienced “heat stroke

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symptoms” that included nausea, dizziness, and blackouts on various dates because of the

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Defendants’ lack of accommodations during these summer months. (Id.). Specifically, Plaintiff

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claims he suffered heat stroke symptoms in 2016 on the following dates: July 23, July 28, July 29,

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July 30, August 1, August 2, and August 4 (Id., ¶¶ 8, 13-15, 17-18, 20). And, in 2017, suffered

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heat stroke symptoms on the following dates: June 21, July 22, July 29 and August 24. (Id., ¶¶

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25-26, 32, 47).

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In July 2016, Plaintiff claims he complained to Defendant Gallagher about the high

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temperatures and lack of heat-related accommodations and Gallagher retorted, that none of his

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subordinates would “allow no [goddamn] Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) gang member [to] dictate to

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his officers when or how to implement UHT policy and then added Plaintiff was becoming a thorn in

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defendant Gallagher’s butt & wished Plaintiff [was] placed back at Pelican Bay Prison’s Security

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Housing Unit (SHU).” (Id. ¶ 5). Later, in spring 2017, Plaintiff claims he was “coincidentally”

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placed inside administrative segregation and Defendant Gallagher participated in the classification

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committee which assigned Plaintiff to administrative segregation. (Id. ¶ 24). When Plaintiff

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reminded the committee of his need to be housed in a sector with a Heat Plan, Gallagher responded,

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“[a] Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) is not gonna [sic] make demands regarding where to be housed.”

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(Id.). As relief, the Complaint seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief. (Id. at 18).

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On March 29, 2019, the then-assigned magistrate judge issued Findings and

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Recommendations recommending the district court permit Plaintiff to proceed on two cognizable

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claims: a conditions of confinement claims concerning the excessive heat in Plaintiff’s housing

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unit at Corcoran during the months of July and August in 2016 and June, July and August 2017

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against Defendants Kong, Gonsalves, Torres, Vang, Rocha, Perez, Curtis, Correctional Officer

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Gamboa, Flores, Brandon, Hernandez. Podsakoff, Wilson, Cpt. Gallagher, and Shelby; and a First

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Amendment retaliation claim against Defendant Gallagher. (Doc. No. 9 at 1, 7-9).1

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In relevant part, the Findings and Recommendations concluded the Complaint alleged

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each of the named defendants, who are correctional officials at Corcoran, refused to provide

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Plaintiff with ice cold water, or other accommodations to deal with the heat, in compliance with

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the Uniform Heat Plan, despite Plaintiff’s sensitivities to heat caused by his medication. (Id. at 2-

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5). Further, the Findings and Recommendations summarized that Defendant “Galla[g][h]er

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orchestrated a campaign to deprive [Plaintiff] of his heat-sensitivity accommodations in

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retaliation for being a ‘troublemaker’ who files administrative grievances.” (Id. at 9). The

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District Court adopted the March 29, 2019, Findings and Recommendations in its entirety on May

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1, 2019. (Doc. No. 14). Plaintiff proceeds on his initial Complaint as screened.2

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The Findings and Recommendations inferred that Sgt. Gamboa and Correctional Officer Gamboa to be
different people, but that the defendant identified by either last name Gonzalez or Gonsalves to be the
same person. (Doc. No. 9 at 3, n. 3-4 (emphasis added)). Based on the record, including Gonsalves’
motion to dismiss and subsequent supporting declaration, this action proceeds only against Gonsalves, not
anyone named Gonzalez.1 (See generally docket; see also Doc. Nos. 21, 70-7). The Findings and
Recommendations further recommended the dismissal of any other claims or defendants as noncognizable, including dismissal of Defendants Daves, Castro, Sgt. Gamboa, Hence, Lee, Childress,
Robinson, Bell, and Wilcox. (Id. at 6, 9). Defendant Gamboa filed an Answer to the Complaint and
therein admitted that she was a “Correctional Sergeant at Corcoran State Prison at all times relevant to the
Complaint.” (Doc. No. 25, ¶ 23). Thus, it appears that Sgt. Gamboa and correctional officer Gamboa are
the same person.
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The Findings and Recommendations afforded Plaintiff an opportunity to file a first amended complaint
(“FAC”). (Id. at 10). Although Plaintiff initially filed a FAC on April 8, 2019, he thereafter moved to
withdraw the FAC, which the court granted. (Doc. Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13).

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B. Procedural History

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Defendants Curtis, Gallagher, Gamboa, Hernandez, Perez, Podsakoff, Rocha, Shelby, and

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Brandon, filed answers and affirmative defenses to the Complaint. (Doc. Nos. 22-30, 33).

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Defendants Flores, Gonsalves, Torres, Vang, and Wilson initially filed a motion to dismiss the

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Complaint. (Doc. No. 21). The Court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss to the limited

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extent Plaintiff sought injunctive relief because Plaintiff was no longer incarcerated at Corcoran,

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but otherwise denied the motion to dismiss in its entirety (Doc. Nos. 42, 43). Thereafter,

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Defendants filed a timely motion for summary judgement.

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1. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
Defendants submit a memorandum of points and authorities in support of their motion

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(Doc. No. 70-2), including a statement of undisputed facts (Doc. No. 70-3). Defendants attach

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supporting sworn declarations from: Defendant Brandon (Doc. No. 70-4), Defendant Curtis (Doc.

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No. 70-5), Defendant Gallagher (Doc. No. 70-6), Defendant Gonsalves (Doc. No. 70-7),

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Defendant Gamboa (Doc. No. 70-8), Defendant Hernandez (Doc. No. 70-9), defense attorney

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Janet Chen (Doc. No. 70-10), Defendant Kong (Doc. No. 70-11), Doctor McCabe, Chief

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Physician and Surgeon at Corcoran (Doc. No. 70-12), Defendant Perez (Doc. No. 70-13),

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Defendant Podsakoff (Doc. No. 70-14), Defendant Rocha (Doc. No. 70-15), Defendant Shelby

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(Doc. No. 70-16), Defendant Torres (Doc. No. 70-17), Defendant Vang (Doc. No. 70-18), Heat

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Plan Coordinator Williams (Doc. No. 70-19) and exhibits thereto including the (a) 2016 and 2017

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Heat Plans (id. at 5-65); (b) internal temperature record logs dated May to August 2016 for

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housing unit 3A02 where Plaintiff was housed in general population during these months in 2016

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(id. at 66-187); and (c) internal temperature logs dated June 2017 (Doc. No. 94) July 2017 (Doc.

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No. 70-19 at 188-219) and August 2017 (Doc. No. 92) for housing unit 4A4L where Plaintiff was

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housed in administrative segregation during these months in 2017. Defendants subsequently filed

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a notice of errata, declaration from defense counsel, and a corrected declaration from the Heat

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Plan Coordinator, P. Williams attaching the August 2017 temperature logs to supplement the July

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2017 logs previously filed for housing unit 4A4L. (Doc. Nos. 91, 92, 92 at 4-35). Defendants

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also provided temperature logs for June 2017. (Doc. Nos. 93, 94).
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At the outset, Defendants note that 15 defendants remain at this stage of the proceedings,

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but submit three Defendants, Wilson, Flores, and Hernandez are improperly named as

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Defendants. (Doc. Nos. 70-2 at 6-7; 70-3 at 2, ¶¶ 8, 9). Plaintiff “does not dispute dismissing

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Defendants Wilson, Flores and Hernandez in this lawsuit.” (Doc. No. 77 at 2). Thus, the

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undersigned does not address any claims against these three Defendants and recommends the

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district court dismiss Defendants Wilson, Flores, and Hernandez based upon Plaintiff’s voluntary

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dismissal.
As to the conditions of confinement claims, Defendants thoroughly review Corcoran’s

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Heat Plan in effect for 2016 and 2017. (Doc. No. 70-2 at 7-8). In summary, Defendants argue

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the record fails to contain a genuine dispute of material fact as to Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment

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conditions of confinement claim. First, contrary to Plaintiff’s allegations, the undisputed

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evidence demonstrates that the temperatures inside Plaintiff’s housing units in July and August

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2016 and June through August 2017 never reached 90 degrees. Significantly, in 2016, the

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temperatures were generally in the 70s, with the hottest temperature recorded as 83 degrees on

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August 3, 2016. Similarly, in 2017, the temperatures were generally in the 80s, with the hottest

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temperature recorded as 86 degrees on August 4, 2017. Further, Defendants argue that they

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provided Plaintiff with all accommodations required under the Heat Plan and were not otherwise

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deliberate indifferently to any risk of harm to him.3 (Id. at 8, 12-17). In other words, Defendants

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argue that based on the undisputed temperatures recorded at Corcoran during the relevant time

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period, only Stage I of the Heat Plan was activated due to outside temperatures and the

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temperatures indoors did not require Stage II or Stage III protocols. Defendants further assert that

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as documented by their medical expert, aside from Plaintiff’s self-reported assertions of heat

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stroke illnesses, the record lacks any evidence demonstrating Plaintiff experienced any heat-

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related illnesses or any other harm because of high temperatures. (Id. at 10-11, 12-17).

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As to the retaliation claim, Defendant Gallagher argues he did not retaliate against
It appears Defendants’ subheading I contains a typographical error referencing “deliberately indifferent to
any serious medical need,” when the analysis that follows is a conditions of confinement analysis under
the Eighth Amendment. (Doc. No. 70-2 at 12). Moreover, the screening order did not find the Complaint
stated a deliberate indifference medical claim.
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Plaintiff because the undisputed facts set forth in the record shows Plaintiff was not deprived of

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any heat sensitivity accommodations. (Id. at 17-20). In the alternative, all Defendants assert they

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are entitled to qualified immunity. Defendants maintain that they did not violate Plaintiff’s

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clearly established statutory or constitutional rights but also argue that they acted reasonably. (Id.

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at 18-19). In particular, they point out that they adhered to the Heat Plan and provided Plaintiff

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cool water when the Heat Plan was activated. They dispute that the Heat Plan mandated that they

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were also required to provide cool showers and misting when the Heat Plan was activated and

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point to the language “cool drinks, cool showers, and/or misting” is reasonably interpreted to

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mean only one of the accommodations need be provided. (Id. at 19).

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2. Plaintiff’s Opposition to Summary Judgment
Plaintiff filed an opposition to Defendants’ summary judgment motion. (Doc. No. 77).

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Plaintiff attaches in support of his opposition: his declaration (id. at 42-47); inmate grievances he

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submitted on July 30, 2017, and related appeals (id. at 49-52); correctional officials’ respective

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responses dated September 10, 2017, October 3, 2017, February 7, 2018, and June 10, 2016 (id. at

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53-63); health care services request forms dated July 20, 2016, June 19, 2017, July 17, 2017,

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August 28, 2017, and responses thereto (id. at 64-72); medical progress notes dated June 21, 2017

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(id. at 73-74); Corcoran’s various heat related documents (id. at 75-79); sample housing unit

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inventory form from Pelican Bay State Prison (id. at 80-82); classification review documenting a

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May 2017 physical altercation incident involving Plaintiff and another inmate, identified as the

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victim, which resulted in Plaintiff’s classification status change to administrative segregation (id.

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at 85-93), copies of certain Defendants’ declarations attached to Defendants’ motion for summary

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judgment and portions of Plaintiff’s deposition transcript (id. at 95-133).

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In summary, Plaintiff argues that the conditions of confinement due to the heat levels

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coupled with Defendants’ failure to fully comply with the Heat Plan resulted in a violation of his

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Eighth Amendment rights. (See generally Doc. No. 77). Plaintiff contends that his cell was

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hotter than the housing unit. (Id. at 4-5). Plaintiff maintains temperatures “averaged 90 to 100

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beginning at 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.” (Id. at 6). As evidence, Plaintiff points to Gamboa

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approving his inmate grievance in 2016 which directed correctional officials to allow him to leave
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his cell to sit in the cooler dayroom. (Id. at 7).
Regarding the months of 2017, Plaintiff states he was housed on a top tier housing unit

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that was even warmer than the summer of 2016. (Id. at 8-17). Plaintiff points out that when he

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went to the medical department it was often a day or two after he submitted a medical request to

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be seen by medical. (Id. at 19). Plaintiff also asserts that in the summer of 2017, a medical

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department response directed correctional staff to honor the Heat Plan accommodations for

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Plaintiff to no avail. (Id.). Plaintiff claims Defendant Perez told him that Gallagher ordered

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officers to keep Plaintiff in the same cell despite his heat complaints. (Id.).

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3. Defendants’ Reply
Defendants replied to Plaintiff’s opposition contending that Plaintiff’s opposition and

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supporting exhibits do not create any genuine dispute of material fact. (Doc. No. 86 at 2).

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Defendants reiterate that the conditions of confinement to which Plaintiff was subjected did not

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rise to an Eight Amendment cruel and unusual standard because the unrefuted record evidence

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shows the temperatures inside Plaintiff’s housing unit(s) never reached over 90 degrees

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Fahrenheit. (Id. at 3-4). Defendants reiterate that neither of Plaintiff’s housing units posed a

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serious risk of harm to Plaintiff. (Id.). Defendants reassert they did not know of and disregard

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any serious risk to Plaintiff. (Id. at 4-5). And finally, Defendants note Plaintiff did not suffer any

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physical harm because of Defendants’ alleged actions or inactions. (Id. at 6).

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On the retaliation claim, Defendant Gallagher argues there is no causal connection

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between Plaintiff’s complaints of heat and Gallagher directing staff to not provide Plaintiff with

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accommodations for the heat because the record shows the Defendants fact complied with

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appropriate protocols of the Heat Plan. (Doc. No. 86 at 7). Further, Gallagher argues the record

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shows he was not present at Plaintiff’s classification hearings as evidenced by the fact that the

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box is not checked beside Gallagher’s name indicating he was present. (Id. at 8) (citing Doc. No.

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77 at 83-89). Moreover, Defendant Gallagher argues even if he was present at the classification

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hearing, he does not have the authority to unilaterally change an inmate’s housing assignment and

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he did not deny Plaintiff’s request to be moved to lower housing unit for any improper purpose.

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(Id.). Defendants also re-assert their entitlement to qualified immunity. (Id. at 8-9).
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II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD
Summary judgment is appropriate when there is “no genuine dispute as to any material

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fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A fact is

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material where it is (1) relevant to an element of a claim or a defense under the substantive law

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and (2) would affect the outcome of the suit. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242,

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247 (1987).

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The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of proving the absence

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of a genuine dispute of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). When

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the moving party has met this burden, the nonmoving party must go beyond the pleadings and set

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forth specific facts, by affidavits, deposition testimony, documents, or discovery responses,

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showing there is a genuine issue that must be resolved by trial. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1);

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Pacific Gulf Shipping Co. v. Vigorous Shipping & Trading S.A., 992 F.3d 893, 897 (9th Cir.

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2021). A mere “scintilla of evidence” in support of the nonmoving party’s position is

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insufficient. In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d 376, 387 (9th Cir. 2010). Rather, the

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evidence must allow a reasonable juror, drawing all inferences in favor of the nonmoving party,

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to return a verdict in that party’s favor. Id.

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The court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.

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Tolan v. Cotton, 572 U.S. 650, 655 (2014). It may not weigh evidence or make credibility

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determinations. Manley v. Rowley, 847 F.3d 705, 711 (9th Cir. 2017). Conclusory or speculative

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testimony in affidavits and supporting papers is insufficient to raise a genuine issue of fact and

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defeat summary judgment. Soremekun v. Thrifty Payless, Inc., 509 F.3d 978, 984 (9th Cir. 2007);

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see Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(2). Furthermore, the Ninth Circuit has “held consistently that courts

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should construe liberally motion papers and pleadings filed by pro se inmates and should avoid

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applying summary judgment rules strictly.” Soto v. Sweetman, 882 F.3d 865, 872 (9th Cir. 2018)

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(quoting Thomas v. Ponder, 611 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir. 2010)). While prisoners are relieved

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from strict compliance, they still must “identify or submit some competent evidence” to support

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their claims. Soto, 882 F.3d at 872. Plaintiff’s verified complaint may serve as an affidavit in

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opposition to summary judgment if based on personal knowledge and specific facts admissible in
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evidence. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1132 n.14 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). However, a

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complaint’s conclusory allegations, unsupported by specifics facts, will not be sufficient to avoid

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summary judgment. Arpin v. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency, 261 F.3d 912, 922 (9th

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Cir. 2001). And, where a plaintiff fails to properly challenge the facts asserted by the defendant,

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the plaintiff may be deemed to have admitted the validity of those facts. See Fed. R. Civ. P.

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56(e)(2).

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The undersigned has carefully reviewed and considered all arguments, points and

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authorities, declarations, exhibits, statements of undisputed facts and responses thereto, if any,

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objections, and other papers filed by the parties. The omission to an argument, document, paper,

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or objection is not to be construed that the undersigned did not consider the argument, document,

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paper, or objection. Instead, the undersigned thoroughly reviewed and considered the evidence it

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deemed admissible, material, and appropriate for purposes of issuing this Findings and

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Recommendations on Defendants’ MSJ.

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IV. ANALYSIS

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As previously stated, the undersigned considers the entire record and deems only those

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facts true which are properly supported by evidence. The undersigned first addresses Plaintiff’s

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conditions of confinement claim regarding the excessive heat against the 12 remaining

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defendants, and then turns to Plaintiff’s retaliation claim against Captain Gallagher.

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A. Material Facts Regarding Conditions of Confinement

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Following the undersigned’s review of the evidence submitted, these material facts are

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deemed undisputed, unless otherwise indicated:
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Gamboa and Perez were correctional sergeants (Doc. No. 70-2) (citing Doc. No. 70-3 at
¶¶ 4, 5) (see also Doc. No. 72 at 31, 51);

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Torres, Rocha, Vang and Kong were correctional officers who worked in Housing Unit

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3A02 where Plaintiff lived in 2016 (Doc. No. 70-2) (citing Doc. No. 70-3 at ¶¶ 6, 20) (see

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also Doc. No. 72 at 35-39);

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Gonsalves, Brandon, Curtis, Shelby and Podsakoff were correctional officers who worked
in Housing Unit 4A4L, where Plaintiff lived in 2017 (Doc. No. 70-2) (citing Doc. No. 709

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3 at ¶¶ 7, 25) (see also Doc. No. 72 at 52, 59-60).
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At all times relevant to this action, Plaintiff was incarcerated at Corcoran, serving a

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sentence of thirty-two years to life for second degree murder, and is a “heat plan card

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holder” due to medications he is prescribed, “which makes him more susceptible to high

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heat temperatures.” (See Doc. Nos. 70-3 at 1-2; 70-10 at 8; 77 at 1; 70-12 ¶6).

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Corcoran has a Heat Plan in effect from May 1 through October 31, which duration may

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fluctuate slightly depending on the temperatures. (Doc. No. 70-3 at 3; Doc. No. 77 at 1;

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Doc. No. 70-19 at 5-15).

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General population inmates are permitted to have fans in their housing unit, but in 2016,

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when Plaintiff was housed in general population, he did not have fan because he did not

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purchase one. (Doc. No. 72 at 41) (Plaintiff acknowledging he did not have a fan).

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Sometime in 2017, Plaintiff was moved from general population to administrative

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segregation after being found guilty of battery on an inmate with a weapon from an

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incident occurring on May 16, 2017. (Doc. No. 70-10 at 12-14). Plaintiff alleges he

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moved to the higher housing unit 4A4L in the Spring of 2017. (Doc. No. 1 at 9).

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Defendants state Plaintiff was housed in administrative segregation in 4A4L during the

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months at issue in this action, June, July, and August 2017. (Doc. Nos. 70-3 at 5; 94 at 1).

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Fans are permitted in general population but are not permitted in the housing unit where

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Plaintiff was housed while he was in administrative segregation. (Doc. No. 70-2 at 41)

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(Plaintiff acknowledging no fans are permitted in administrative segregation).

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The Heat Plan

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All CDR prisons, including Corcoran, implemented a heat plan following the decision in

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Coleman v. Wilson, Case No. CIV-S-90-0520-LKK-JFM. (See Doc. No. 70-3 at 2 (citing

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Doc. No. 70-19; Exh. 1-2); Doc. No. 77 at 1).

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The 2015 Heat Plan was in effect in 2016 and the 2016 version was in effect in 2017.

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(Doc. No. 70-19 at 2; see also id. at 5-15 (2015 Heat Plan in effect 2016); id. at 29-46

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(2016 Heat Plan in effect 2017).

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The Heat Plan is triggered by either outdoor temperatures (Stage I) or indoors
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temperatures (Stage II and Stage III) and provides procedures for correctional officials to

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monitor and record temperatures inside the housing units. The Heat Plan also provide for

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alternatives or accommodations to inmates when the temperatures reach levels exceeding

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90 degrees Fahrenheit, which include: not permitting heat-risk inmates outside if the

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temperature is above 90 degrees, having igloo coolers with cool water available for

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inmates, cool showers, and/or misting, among other accommodations that are dependent

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on the temperature in effort to prevent heat-related ailments. (See Doc. No. 70-3 at 2-3;

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Doc. No. 70-19 at 2-3, 5-15, 34-36; Doc. No. 77 at 43).
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The Heat Plans in effect in 2016 and 2017 require the pharmacist in charge or a designee

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starting May 1 through October 31 to generate a weekly list of all inmates taking any

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designated heat risk medication. (Doc. No. 70-19 at 5-6, 29).
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The California statewide medication Heat Alert Medication List is utilized by all CDCR

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facilities. (Id. at 6-7, 30). The list is circulated to all staff including, but not limited to the

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warden, watch commanders, inmate assignment lieutenants, medical and mental health

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professionals, and housing unit staff. (Id.).
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Stage I of the Heat Plan is activated if temperatures outside reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit,4

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also referred to as the Uniform Heat Trigger (“UHT”). (Id. at 8, 32). If indoor

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temperatures reach 90 degrees, then Stage II of the Heat Plan is activated. (Id. at 10-11,

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32, 35-36). If indoor temperatures reach above 95 degrees, then Stage III of the Heat Plan

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is activated. (Id. at 12, 35-36).
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According to the 2015 Heat Plan, in effect in 2016, at Stage I, Level I I/P’s5 shall be

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housed in Level I of any building consistent with their classification. (Id. at 8). Level

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III/IV and SHU/PHU/I/P’s may be housed in any building consistent with their

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classification.6 (Id.). The first tier shall be used for heat risk Level I/P’s when possible.

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All temperatures referenced in this order are measure in Fahrenheit.
According to the Heat Plan, I/P stands for “inmate/patients” who are prescribed Heat Risk Medications.
(Doc. No. 70-19 at 5).
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Some terms, such as, “Level I” I/P’s do not appear defined in this record. (See generally Doc. No. 7019).
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(Id.). This language does not appear in the 2016 Heat Plan that was in effect for 2017.

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(See generally id. at 31-33).

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Both Heat Plans require monitoring and recording temperatures outdoors on an hourly

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basis, as well as monitoring and recording temperatures inside the jail every three hours.

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(Id. at 8, 33). Once Stage I of the Heat Plan is in effect, indoor temperatures are

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monitored and recorded hourly. (Id. at 11). The areas where temperatures are monitored

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are the non-airconditioned living areas, except for specified areas that may exceed 90

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degrees, like the kitchen. (Id. at 8, 32-33).

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Under both the 2015 and 2016 Heat Plans, when the temperature outside exceeds 90

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degrees, strobe lights and a public-address system provides notice to all inmates of the

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Heat Plan activation. (Id. at 8, 32). If an inmate who takes heat risk medication is outside

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and temperatures reach 90 degrees, the inmate must return to the housing unit. (Id.). An

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inmate not taking heat risk medication has the option whether to return indoors, or not.

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(Id.).

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Both applicable Heat Plans call for ensuring heat risk inmates get equal access to

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programs, services, and activities during extreme weather conditions, including modified

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yard times during cooler periods of the day, night yard, and additional day room activities.

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(Id. at 10, 34).

19

•

All housing units are to be provided a five-gallon igloo with cool water. (Id. at 11, 35).

20

General population inmates will have access to cool drinks, cool showers and/or misting.

21

(Id.).

22

•

Inmates housed in administrative segregation shall are given water by opening the food

23

port on the cell door and handing them a cup of cool water from the igloo at a minimum:

24

immediately following yard call, at the start of the third watch shift, during the evening

25

meal, and upon request. (Id.). The Plan provides for five spray bottles to be maintained at

26

the officer station of each housing unit labeled “UHT.” (Id.). Sweat lodge activities for

27

Native American inmates on heat alert medications are prohibited. (Id. at 9, 33).

28

•

Deactivation of Stage I of the Heat Plan occurs when temperatures drop below 90 degrees
12

1

outside for at least one hour. (Id. at 13, 37). Stage II is deactivated when inside

2

temperatures fall below 90 degrees for one hour. (Id.). And Stage III is deactivated when

3

inside temperatures fall below 95 degrees for one hour. (Id.).

4

Temperatures at Corcoran

5

•

6
7

The incidents Plaintiff complains of occurred in June, July, and August of 2016 and June,
July, and August 2017.

•

In 2016, Plaintiff was housed in general population, housing unit 3A02, where defendants

8

Torres, Rocha, Vang and Kong were correctional officers assigned to the pod. (Doc. No.

9

70-3 at 2 (citing Doc. Nos. 70-11 at 1; 70-17 at 1; 70-15 at 1; 70-18 at 1; 1 at 2, 77 at 1, 77

10
11

at 1-10, 42-46).
•

In June 2016, Defendant Sgt. Gamboa, interviewed Plaintiff in regard to his inmate

12

grievance (602 appeal) in which he complained about that staff in Housing Unit 3A02 not

13

providing cool water nor allowing him to sit in the dayroom, which he claimed was cooler

14

than inside his cell, during the Heat Plan. (Doc. No. 70-3 at 4, ¶ 17 citing 70-8, ¶¶ 2-3).

15

Sgt. Gamboa granted Plaintiff’s request to be allowed to sit in the day room, receive cool

16

water, or be allowed in a cooler zone until the heat subsides. (Id.). The appeal response

17

further indicates that Plaintiff was housed on the first tier in Cell 102, due to being an

18

inmate-patient on the Heat List. (Id.). The appeal response further indicates that

19

Plaintiff’s request to receive ice was denied and further states that his housing unit had a

20

5-gallon igloo, which had cool water, and that the water is kept cool by adding ice into the

21

water. (Id.).

22

•

In 2017, Plaintiff was housed in administrative segregation, in Unit 4A4L, where

23

Defendants Gonsalves, Brandon, Curtis, Shelby, Podsakoff were correctional officers

24

assigned to the pod. (See Doc. No. 70-2 at 51; see also Doc. No. 70-3 at 2) (citing Doc.

25

Nos. 70-4 at 1, 70-5 at 1, 70-7 at 1, 70-14 at 1, 70-15 at 1; see also Doc. Nos. 1 at 2, 77 at

26

42-46).

27
28

•

Plaintiff did not have a thermometer to measure the temperature inside his housing unit.
(Doc. No. 70-2 at 63; Doc. No. 77 at 43).
13

1

•

Heat logs produced by Defendants reflect the recorded temperatures in June through

2

August of 2016 and June through August 2017 in Plaintiff’s two housing units and

3

confirm that the inside temperatures did not exceed 90 degrees. (See Doc. No. 70-3 at 3

4

(citing Doc. No. 70-19 at 3 (stating temperatures inside the housing unit where Plaintiff

5

was housed did not reach above 90 degrees)); Doc. No. 70-19 at 66-188 (logs for June-

6

August 2016), 189-218 (logs for July 2017); Doc. No. 92 (logs for August 2017); Doc.

7

No. 94 (logs for June 2017). Based on these temperature logs, Stage I of the Heat Plan

8

was the only plan activated due to outside temperatures. (Doc. No. 70-19 at 3, see also

9

Doc. No. 70-19 at 10-11, 32).

10

•

The 2016 temperature logs reflect the temperature in 3A02 ranged from 67 degrees to no

11

higher than the mid-70’s in May and June. (Id. at 66-135). The first date temperatures

12

registered higher than mid-70’s was on July 11, 2016, when the temperature was recorded

13

as 78.8 degrees in 3A02, but the following day temperatures registered in the low 70’s.

14

(Id. at 136-137). The first time the temperature reached 80 degrees inside was on July 25,

15

2016, between 1800 and 2100 hours. (Id. at 150). From July 25 to August 7, 2016, the

16

temperatures registered consistently between the high 70’s and the low 80’s but returned

17

to the mid-70’s on August 9, 2016. (Id. 151-165). The remainder of the August

18

temperatures fluctuated, but more often than not registered in the mid-70’s until August

19

24, 2016, when there were some 80-degree readings, and from that date on, mostly cooler

20

temperature readings in the high 60’s and 70’s. (Id. at 165-180).

21

•

In 2017, the temperature logs reflect readings for housing unit 4A4L and depict similar

22

temperatures ranging from 70’s to mid-80’s. (Id. at 189-219; Doc. No. 92 at 4-35; Doc.

23

No. 94 at 4-33). Plaintiff was held in administrative segregation at this time and his

24

housing unit was located at a higher floor than his housing unit was in 2016. (Doc. No.

25

70-10 at 12-14). Generally, the month of June 2017 shows temperatures in the mid-70’s

26

ranging to the mid-80’s with the highest reading of 85 from June 23 to June 25, 2017.

27

(Doc. No. 94 at 2-34). Later in June 2017, temperatures drop to the low 80’s. (Id. at 29-

28

33). Similarly, the logs from July and August 2017 reflect consistent temperatures in the
14

1

low to mid-80’s. (Doc. No. 70-19 at 181-219; Doc. No. 92 at 1-34). Unlike the lower

2

housing unit, however, no temperature readings reflect 60 degrees in June, July and

3

August 2017 in housing unit 4A4L. The temperature logs fairly consistently registered in

4

the low to mid-80’s during these months. (See generally Doc. No. 92). Only twice did

5

temperatures reach the highest level of 86 degrees on August 30 and August 31, 2017.

6

(Id. at 33-34).

7

Plaintiff’s Medical Records

8

Plaintiff’s pertinent medical records reflect the following:
•

9

On July 20, 2016, Plaintiff submitted a 7362 Health Care Services Request Form stating

10

he was experiencing severe nausea and dizziness due to excessive heat. “Not afforded

11

minimal UHT patients [sic] cool water. Need intervention.” (Doc. No. 70-12 at 8). The

12

medical form was marked as received by medical on July 21, 2016. On July 22, 2016,

13

Plaintiff was seen in the medical department and was treated for cough and sore throat and

14

prescribed medication for his symptoms. Plaintiff also told staff he experiences nausea

15

and dizziness when he could not get cold water. (Id. at 10). But “he’s been ok the last

16

couple [of] days.” Staff discussed importance of hydration with Plaintiff, his vitals were

17

recorded as normal, and he was released from medical in stable condition. (Id. at 9-10).
•

18
19

Plaintiff’s medical file for the remainder of 2016 reveals no other heat-related complaints.
(Id. at 3 ¶7:3-4).

•

20

On June 19, 2017, Plaintiff submitted 7362 Health Care Services Request Form Request

21

form marked “Emergency” stating: “Documented UHT patient for past 12 years. Notified

22

alerted file 602, granted 2016 here at Corcoran 3A yard and still to date pleading with

23

custody and medical to not posture, deliberate indifferent [sic] to affording me UHT

24

accommodations and yet I receive absolutely no accommodations, dizzy and nausea all

25

evening 6-16-6-19-17.” (Id. at 11). The 7362 request was received on June 20, 2017, at

26

0718. (Id.). The form notes “I/P, [was] offered to go to TTA,7 per I/P ‘just want to

27
28

7

“TTA” stands for treatment and triage area.

15

1

document want to be accommodated.’” (Id.). Staff advised Plaintiff to drink plenty of

2

water and notify staff if symptoms become worse. (Id.). Nursing staff saw Plaintiff on

3

June 21, 2017, at which time he reiterated he wants “to make sure [he] is getting the ice in

4

the building [he] should be getting when the temperature reaches 90 degrees in the

5

building.” (Id. at 12). Notes indicate Plaintiff arrived ambulatory with steady gait denied

6

nausea, dizziness, SOB, fatigue. Staff found respirations unlabored and Plaintiff not in

7

any distress. (Id). Staff advised Plaintiff to avoid going outside and to drink plenty of

8

water and notify staff is he exhibits any “heat stress symptoms.” (Id.). Plaintiff also saw

9

his primary care doctor this same day but no complaints about heat-related illness were

10
11

discussed. (Id. at 13-15).
•

On July 17, 2017, Plaintiff submitted another 7362 Health Care Request Form stating,

12

“Again tried to alert 4A4L floor staff to call a medic today 7/17/17 let you all know I’m

13

dizzy, blacking out, nauseatic [sic] approx. 12 noon. Floor staff 4A4L refuse to call you

14

and continues not distributing UHT cool water protocol. Cell 16L inside is like a ‘hot

15

cave’ forcing me to stay under the cell vent causing severe distress on my back. I can die

16

in this cell.” (Id. at 16). A triage nurse reviewed the request on July 19, 2017, at 0708.

17

(Id.). Plaintiff was evaluated by nursing staff on July 20, 2017, during which he denied

18

nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches. (Id. at 17). Plaintiff told medical he wanted his

19

complaints documented so if something happened to him, his family could sue. (Id.).

20

Medical confirmed Plaintiff’s vitals were all normal, including unlabored breathing. (Id.).

21

Medical staff advised Plaintiff to continue to ask for cool water and notify medical staff

22

immediately if he experienced dizziness, nausea or blacking out. (Id.). Medical

23

confirmed Plaintiff was taking medications making him susceptible to heat and forwarded

24

UHT list to Sergeant Perez but determined no further medical evaluation or transfer to a

25

higher level of care was necessary. (Id.).

26

•

On August 28, 2017, Plaintiff submitted another 7362 Health Care Request for Services,

27

stating: “nauseatic (sic), dizzy, blackouts periodically 8/28/17 – Cell 16 L 4A4L feels like

28

extremely hot torture chamber. Repeatedly ask for cool 10-gallon igloo water and
16

1

repeatedly ignored. Didn’t get ice in 10-gallon igloo until after dinner 5:45 pm. First cool

2

water distribution 2nd watch refusing to put ice in 10-gallon igloo at breakfast.” (Id. at

3

18). This request was received on August 29, 2017, at 7:14 am. (Id.). Mr. Cannon was

4

seen by nursing staff on August 30, 2017, at which time he denied any current dizziness,

5

nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, or pain. (Id. at 19). His vital signs were

6

stable, and the treating medical staff determined that he did not need further medical

7

evaluation or transfer to a higher level of care. (Id.).

8

•

9

No documentation exists in Plaintiff’s 2016 or 2017 medical records that he was ever
diagnosed with heat stroke or any heat-related illness. (Id. at 4, ¶ 12). There is no record

10

that Plaintiff was ever transferred to the treatment or triage area for of the facility or

11

transferred to an outside emergency room or hospital for treatment of heat-related illness

12

during 2016-2017. (Id.).

13

•

Plaintiff’s expert, Conrad McCabe, M.D., opines that no documentation suggests Plaintiff

14

“suffered demonstrable harm as a result of his claim of not being provided heat-risk

15

medication related accommodations.” (Id. at 5, ¶14).

16

B. Law on Conditions of Confinement Under the Eight Amendment

17

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual

18

punishment, interpreted as the “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain” that is “grossly

19

disproportionate to the severity of the crime” and “totally without penological justification.” U.S.

20

Const. Amend. VIII; see also Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S 337, 345-46 (1981) (internal citations

21

omitted); Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994). Undeniably the Eighth Amendment

22

does not require comfortable prisons, but it does require humane ones. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 832.

23

A prisoner pursuing an Eighth Amendment conditions of confinement claim must

24

establish both an “objective component” and a “subjective component.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834.

25

The objective component relates to the seriousness of the challenged conditions while the

26

subjective component speaks to the state of mind of the officials responsible for the alleged

27

violation. Id.; see also Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 298 (1991) (rejecting a reading that the

28

Eighth Amendment allows liability on prison officials solely because of the presence of
17

1

objectively inhumane prison conditions). The objective component requires a prisoner to

2

demonstrate “unquestioned and serious deprivations of basic human needs” or of the “minimal

3

civilized measure of life’s necessities.” Rhodes, 452 U.S. at 347; accord, Wilson, 501 U.S. at

4

308. Basic human needs include “food, clothing, shelter, medical care and reasonable safety” as

5

well as “warmth [and] exercise.” Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 32 (1993); Wilson, 501 at

6

304.

7

To be a serious deprivation, the prisoner must at the very least show that a condition of his

8

confinement “pose[s] an unreasonable risk of serious damage to his future health” or safety.

9

Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 35 (1993). Generally, only the most severe deprivations under

10

the objective prong will support an Eighth Amendment violation but the standard “draw[s] its

11

meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society”

12

because “no static ‘test’ can exist.” Rhodes, 452 U.S. at 346 (citations omitted). Consequently,

13

“[m]ore modest deprivations can also form the objective basis of the violation, but only if such

14

deprivations are lengthy or ongoing.” Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 732 (9th Cir. 2000).

15

High temperatures accompanied by inadequate cooling or other heat-related

16

accommodations for prisoners can in some circumstances constitute an objectively, serious

17

conditions of confinement. See Coleman v. Wilson, Case No. CIV-S-90-0520-LKK-JFM P, 1994

18

U.S. Dist. Lexis 20786 (E.D. Cal. June 6, 1994)(discussing heat and medication related deaths of

19

three inmates receiving medication at California Medical Facility in 1991, thereby requiring

20

CDCR to implement hot weather emergency plans); Vensor v. Schell, 657 F. App’x 695 (9th Cir.

21

2016)(reversing and remanding district court grant of summary judgment to defendants

22

concerning an inmate having two one-hour transports in non-air-conditioned van and finding

23

genuine dispute of material fact as to whether the conditions were sufficiently serious in violation

24

of the Eighth Amendment)(citing Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 731 (9th Cir. 2000)(following

25

a prison riot, addressing inmates held four days outdoors, without shelter or accommodations,

26

with temperatures from 90 degrees during the day to 70 degrees at night, rain one of the nights,

27

and no toilet facilities)). But see Raugust v. Ferriter, No. CV-07-55H-DWM-RKS, 2008 WL

28

5436016, at *1 (D. Mont. June 11, 2008) (finding complaint by prisoner alleging 90 degree
18

1

temperatures in their cells without fans failed to state an Eight Amendment violation as such

2

conditions alone not extreme); Chandler v. Crosby, 379 F.3d 1278, 1298 (11th Cir. 2004)

3

(finding temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees, and temperature in excess of 90 degrees

4

occurring 9% of the time, during months of July and August not extreme and unconstitutionally

5

excessive). Thus, whether the situation of which a prisoner complains is sufficiently serious and

6

extreme will depend upon the circumstances of a particular case, the nature of the condition, and

7

the duration of condition and/or a deprivation.

8

Under the subjective prong, a correctional official must have “acted with a sufficiently

9

culpable state of mind” with regard to the condition at issue. Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8. The proper

10

standard in a § 1983 action for a prisoner is “deliberate indifference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834;

11

Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 303 (1991). Negligence is not enough. Wilson, at 305.

12

Deliberate indifference is equivalent to “subjective recklessness” as it is used in criminal law and

13

requires the correctional official to “both be aware of facts from which the inference could be

14

drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.”

15

Farmer at 837

16
17

1. Objective Conditions of Confinement Not Violative of Eighth Amendment
Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges he experienced unbearable heat during the summer months

18

of 2016 in housing unit 3A02 and 2017 in housing unit 4A4L and faults the individual defendants

19

for their failure to abide by the protocols in the applicable Heat Plan. Plaintiff claims the

20

temperatures exceeded 95 degrees and sometimes exceeded 100 or 105 degrees. Plaintiff admits

21

he did not have a way to measure the temperature inside his housing unit.

22

Defendants provide temperature logs that recorded temperatures during all relevant time

23

periods, multiple times a day, inside both of Plaintiff’s housing units. The logs evidence that the

24

inside temperatures never exceeded 90 degrees during the summer months in either 2016 or 2017.

25

In 2016, the logs reveal that temperatures inside Plaintiff’s housing unit generally were in the 70s,

26

with the hottest temperature recorded at 83 degrees on August 3, 2016. The logs similarly

27

demonstrate that the temperatures in June, July and August 2017, were warmer in Plaintiff’s

28

higher housing unit (4A4L), but registered consistently in the 80’s, and never reached higher than
19

1

86 degrees on August 4, 2017. (See Doc. No. 70-19 at 180-219; Doc. No. 92; Doc. No. 94).

2

Plaintiff’s laymen estimates as what the temperatures were in his housing unit in 2016 and

3

2017 are insufficient to overcome Defendants’ evidence of the temperatures during the relevant

4

periods. As judges, we lack “carte balance to impose [our own] theories on penology of the

5

nation’s prisons” and should rely on objective factors to the maximum extent possible. Rhodes,

6

452 U.S. at 337, 346 (internal citations omitted). While 80-degree temperatures indoors without

7

access to a fan or cool water misting may be uncomfortable, the Court does not find them and

8

extreme and/or inhumane to be violative of the Eighth Amendment. See e.g., Keenan v. Hall, 83

9

F.3d 1083, 1091 (9th Cir. 1996)(affirming district court grant of summary judgment on prisoner

10

plaintiff’s claim that temperatures were “well above” or “well below” room temperature, but

11

reversed on prisoner’s other conditions of confinement claims, including his ventilation claim);

12

Dixon v. Godinez, 114 F.3d 640 (7th Cir. 1997)(affirming with respect to district court’s grant of

13

summary judgment in favor of defendants when prisoner claimed various conditions including

14

poor ventilation in the summer months violated the Eighth Amendment because conditions

15

presented did not fall below minimal civilized measures of life’s necessities); Woods v. Edwards,

16

51 F.3d 577, 581 (5th Cir. 1995)(noting that extreme heat may constitute cruel and unusual

17

punishment under the Eighth Amendment, but affirming district court’s decision granting

18

defendants’ motion for summary judgment when prisoner plaintiff complained about the heat, but

19

did not present medical evidence sufficient to state an Eighth Amendment violation).; but see

20

Blackman v. Kukua, 758 F.Supp.2d 398, 408-409 (S.D. Tex. Dec. 2, 2010)(finding objective

21

prong of Eighth Amendment satisfied when reported temperatures were in excess of 100 degrees

22

indoors for 27 days and medical evidence was submitted showing plaintiff lost 20 pounds due to

23

the high temperatures without sufficient heat accommodations).

24

Further, Plaintiff admits he was permitted a fan in general population but did not buy one,

25

had ventilation inside his cell8 and there is no dispute that Plaintiff had access to drinking water

26

from the sink inside his cell. And he admits that correctional officials consistent with the

27
8

28

Plaintiff admits that he stood under cool air flowing from the vent in the ceiling inside his cell. Doc. No.
70-12 at 16.

20

1

protocols under the Stage 1 Heat Plan brought an igloo with cool water but complains officials

2

did not bring it as early as they should have,9 or he was not given access as frequently as he

3

desired, or officials should have offered additional accommodations provided by the Heat Plan,

4

such as misting or permitting him to sit in the cooler day room. To the extent Plaintiff argues

5

correctional officials alleged failures to adhere to the Heat Plan’s protocols, results in per se

6

constitutional violation, Plaintiff’s argument fails. There is no federal constitutional liberty

7

interest in compliance with state prison regulations. Solomon v. Felker, 2:08-CV-02544 JFM

8

P, 2013 WL 5375538, at *12 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2013) (“Plaintiff's allegation that the defendants

9

failed to adhere to the prison's own institutional policies and procedures does not, by itself” give

10

rise to a constitutional violation); Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 481–82, (1995) (recognizing

11

prison regulations are “primarily designed to guide correctional officials in the administration of a

12

prison” and are “not designed to confer rights on inmates”); Hovater v. Robinson, 1 F.3d 1063,

13

1068 n. 4 (10th Cir. 1993) (“[A] failure to adhere to administrative regulations does not equate to

14

a constitutional violation.”); see also Armstrong v. Warden of USP Atwater, No. 1:10–CV–173

15

DLB HC, 2011 WL 2553266, at *8 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 2011) (citing same).

16

2. Defendants Were Not Deliberately Indifferent

17

Here, having found the record presents no dispute of material fact that the conditions of

18

Plaintiff’s conferment were not objectively, sufficiently serious, the Court need not continue to

19

the subjective prong of analysis. Nonetheless, in abundance of caution, the Court further finds

20

the record presents no genuine dispute of material fact concerning whether any of the named

21

Defendants acted with deliberate indifference.

22

Each of the Defendants present sworn declarations under oath attesting that they neither

23

had knowledge nor witnessed any risk of threat to Plaintiff caused by the indoor temperatures.

24

(Doc. No. 70-4 at 2)(Brandon stating “I have never been informed nor did I ever have reason to

25

believe that the temperature inside Plaintiff’s cell posed a threat to Plaintiff’s health in

26

4A4L);(see also Doc. Nos. 70-5 at 2 (Curtis regarding 4A4L temperatures did not pose a threat),

27
28

9

Plaintiff acknowledges he received cool drinks but claims he “had to beg for them.” (Doc. No. 72 at 26).

21

1

Doc. No. 70-6 at 3 (Gallagher regarding either 3A02 or 4A4L temperatures did not pose a threat),

2

Doc. No. 70-7 at 1-2 (Gonsalves regarding 4A4L temperatures did not pose a threat), Doc. No.

3

70-8 at 1-3 (Gamboa regarding 3A02 temperatures did not pose a threat), Doc. No. 70-11 (Kong

4

regarding 3A02 temperatures did not pose a threat), Doc. No. 70-14 at 1-2 (Podsakoff regarding

5

4A4L temperatures not posing a threat), Doc. No. 70-15 at 1-2 (Rocha regarding 4A4L

6

temperatures not posing a threat), Doc. No. 70-16 (Shelby regarding 4A4L temperatures not

7

posing a threat), Doc. No. 70-17 at 1-2 (Torres regrading 3A02 temperatures did not pose a

8

threat), Doc. No. 70-18 at 1-2 (Vang regarding 3A02 temperatures not posing a threat).

9

The record also belies Plaintiff’s allegations that he suffered any heat-related ailments.

10

Dr. McCabe, Defendant’s expert, reviewed each of Plaintiff’s medical records over the period in

11

question in both 2016 and 2017 and found no evidence that Plaintiff suffered any heat-related

12

ailments. See Doc. No. 70-12. Indeed, the record reveals that Plaintiff made only one complaint

13

in 2016 to medical about the heat, and medical staff determined that Plaintiff required no further

14

treatment. Similarly, in 2017, Plaintiff complained to medical staff on three occasions about the

15

heat, but examinations indicated no further evaluation or treatment was required. In fact, Plaintiff

16

apparently recognized he was not in distress by refusing to go to T&T on one occasion. Further,

17

Plaintiff does not allege on any specific date that he requested to go to medical and was denied

18

treatment by any specific defendant. Nor does Plaintiff identify any Defendant ever found him

19

passed out or in distress. And none of the Defendants working shifts in Plaintiff’s housing unit

20

ever reported seeing Plaintiff “blacked out” or facing any other heat-related ailments. To the

21

contrary all Defendants state under oath they had no reason to believe Plaintiff was at risk of any

22

harm. (See Doc. Nos. 70-11, 70-15, 70-17, 70-18) (summer 2016), (Doc. Nos. 70-4 at 2; 70-5 at

23

2; 70-7 at 2; 70-14 at 2; 70-16 at 2) (summer 2017).

24

While an inmate need not await a tragic event before seeking relief from the challenged

25

condition, he must at the very least show the condition posed an unreasonable risk of serious

26

damage to his health or future health or safety. Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 33 (1993).

27

Here, the record shows Plaintiff’s vital signs were consistently recorded as within normal ranges

28

and he reported no heat related medical issues while physically present in the medical department.
22

1

(Supra at 15-17). Plaintiff’s self-reported medical ailments that, upon physical examination, were

2

not noted by medical staff, as not sufficient to overcome the unrefuted evidence in the record that

3

there is no physical evidence of Plaintiff experiencing any heat-related ailments. Absence of

4

injury is not irrelevant in the Eighth Amendment context. See e.g., Wilkins v. Gaddy, 559 U.S.

5

34, 38 (2010). For example, in an excessive use of force case, to determine whether the force was

6

excessive in violation of the Eighth Amendment, absence of serious injury is an indication as to

7

the amount of force used. Id. The same analogy applies here. Absence of substantiated heat-

8

related ailments is an indication that the temperatures Plaintiff endured were not what he

9

professed. Based upon the record, the undersigned cannot conclude that any correctional officials

10

drew an inference that a substantial risk of serious harm existed for Plaintiff, yet alone that they

11

failed to act.
It appears Plaintiff’s primary issue is with what he perceives as the failure by correctional

12
13

officials to provide him with the type of accommodation he wanted, particularly when he was

14

detained in administrative segregation during the summer of 2017. (See Doc. No. 72 at 23,

15

stating “[o]bviously if I’m in solitary confinement, I won’t have access to the night yard, however

16

if I’m in the Ad. Seg and I’m on top tier, I can be put in a lower tear in a cooler zone. So that’s

17

one way they could accommodate me.”). While a court must make all reasonable inferences in

18

favor of the non-moving party, when a court is faced with a record containing only a mere

19

scintilla of evidence in support of a party’s position, the court need not permit the case to go to a

20

jury.10 Here the record presents substantial unrefuted evidence documenting the temperatures

21

inside Corcoran fluctuated between the 60’s to 80’s and did not exceed the low to mid-80’s

22

during either the summer of 2016 or 2017. Supra at 10-11. Plaintiff admits he had ventilation,

23

access to water in his sink in his cell, and correctional officials made available an igloo cooler

24

with cold water and that while on segregated confinement he was provided with cold water, albeit

25

he needed to ask for it. The record also documents that Plaintiff, at his request, repeatedly went

26
10

27
28

For example, the complaint alleges on July 30, 2016, the temperatures reached 105 degrees and Plaintiff
was allocated his first 5-gallon igloo cool water (Doc. No. 1 at 6), but the temperature logs recorded hourly
that day reflect indoor temperatures never exceeding 82 degrees. (Doc. No. 70-19 at 155).

23

1

to the medical department for evaluation, consultations, and medical care as needed. (Supra at

2

11-13; see also Doc. No. 70-12; Doc. No. 77 at 49-52).

3

Consequently, the undersigned recommends that the district court find the Defendants are

4

entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiff’s Eight Amendment conditions of confinement

5

claim because the evidence of record including hourly logs of the temperature inside the housing

6

units coupled with records of Plaintiff’s visits to the medical department reporting normal vital

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signs, and lack of physical substantiation of any heat-related medical ailments, shows no genuine

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dispute of material fact as to both the objective and subjective prongs of the Eighth Amendment

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conditions of confinement analysis.

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C. Undisputed Material Facts – First Amendment Retaliation Claim

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As previously stated, the undersigned considers the entire record and deems only those

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facts true which are properly supported by evidence. The undersigned turns to Plaintiff’s

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retaliation claim against Defendant Gallagher.

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•

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70-6, ¶2).
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Plaintiff arrived at Corcoran on December 3, 2015, from Pelican Bay State Prison and
“was a validated Black Guerilla Family Member.” (Id., ¶3).

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Gallagher was the Correctional Captain assigned to 3A during 2016 and 2017. (Doc. No.

•

Gallagher was the Chairperson for Plaintiff’s classification committee hearings held on

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January 7, 2016, and April 13, 2016. (Doc. No. 70-10 at 8-10 (documents identifying

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Gallagher as chairperson for the January 7, 2016, and April 13, 2016, classification

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hearings). These two 2016 classification hearings concerned whether Plaintiff should

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remain on single-cell status. (Id.).

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•

Classification committee documents for hearings held December 7, 2016, and November

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30, 2016, April 4, 2017, May 24, 2017, and November 2, 2017do not identify Gallagher as

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either the chairperson, recorder, correctional counselor, or member of the committee. (See

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Doc. Nos. 70-10 at 12-17).

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•

Plaintiff was moved to administrative segregation sometime after May 2017 because of a
physical altercation with another inmate. (See Doc. No. 70-10 at 12-14) (detailing
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altercation between Plaintiff and another inmate and institutional administrative hearings

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related thereto).

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• The parties dispute whether Gallagher participated in Plaintiff’s May 16, 2017,

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classification hearing. Defendants point out that the evidence Plaintiff submits from his

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classification hearing evidences that Gallagher did not attend the hearing. (See Doc. No.

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86 at 8 (noting the check box next to Gallagher is not marked on the form indicating he

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was not present)). The issue regarding Gallagher’s participation, or not, at the May 16,

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2017, classification hearing is not material for purposes of Plaintiff’s retaliation claim

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based on the record. Classification hearings are comprised of a committee and Plaintiff

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does not dispute the rules violation report for assault on another inmate at issue in the May

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16, 2017, hearing. (See id.).

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D. Law on First Amendment Retaliation

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To prevail on a claim founded on retaliation under the First Amendment, a plaintiff must

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show five requisite elements: (1) he or she engaged in a protected conduct; (2) defendant took

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adverse action against the plaintiff; (3) a causal connection between the adverse action and the

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protected conduct; (4) the official’s acts would chill a person of ordinary firmness from future

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exercise of First Amendment rights; and (5) the action did not reasonably advance a legitimate

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correctional goal. See Watison v. Carter, 668 F.3d 1108, 1114; see also Rhodes v. Robinson, 408

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F.3d 559, 567-68 (9th Cir. 2005). To survive a summary judgment motion, “the plaintiff must

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demonstrate there is a triable issue of material fact on each element of his claim.” Brodheim v.

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Cry, 584 F.3d 1262, 1269 n.3 (9th Cir. 2009). Mere speculation that a defendant acted with a

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retaliatory animus is not sufficient. Wood v. Yordy, 753 F.3d 899, 904 (9th Cir. 2014)(collecting

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cases).

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Filing an inmate grievance is protected conduct. Rhodes, 480 F.3d at 568. Regarding the

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second element, adverse action taken against the prisoner “need not be an independent

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constitutional violation. The mere threat of harm can be an adverse action.” Watison, 668 F.3d

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at 1114 (internal citations omitted). The causal connection between the adverse action and the

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protected conduct can be inferred from an allegation of a chronology of events. Pratt v. Rowland,
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65 F.3d 802, 806 (9th Cir. 1995).

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1. No Evidence of Retaliatory Action Taken Against Plaintiff

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Plaintiff’s First Amendment claim of retaliation proceeds only against Defendant

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Gallagher. (Doc. No. 9 at 9). Plaintiff alleges acts of retaliation from Gallagher began after he

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filed a grievance regarding the heat at Corcoran. (See Doc. No. 72 at 29) (Plaintiff alleging

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Gallagher stated he wasn’t going to let Plaintiff dictate his program). Plaintiff does not clearly

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define what specific retaliatory acts he attributes to Gallagher. In general terms, Plaintiff alleges

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Defendants kept refusing to provide him with accommodations and housed him in a hotter

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housing unit at Gallagher’s direction, complains about his reference to Plaintiff being a “Black

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Guerilla Family Member,” and intimates that Gallagher was involved in having him moved to

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secure management housing in 2017.

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While the Complaint adequately alleges the basic elements of a retaliation claim, the

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record currently before the Court shows Plaintiff, who was serving a life-sentence, was a Black

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Guerilla Family Member and was moved to administrative segregation for legitimate penological

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reasons sometime after May 2017 due to a physical altercation he had with another inmate on

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April 16, 2017, involving a weapon. (Doc. Nos. 70-10 at 12). Plaintiff does not dispute that he

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had the physical altercation with an inmate involving a weapon. To the contrary, classification

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hearing records Plaintiff filed depict Plaintiff’s presence at the classification hearing for assault

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and battery on another inmate with a weapon.11 (Doc. No. 77 at 85) (Plaintiff’s exhibits depicting

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classification review for scheduled hearing commencing May 24, 2017)). While the parties

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dispute whether Gallagher in fact even had a role in the operative classification hearing due to the

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checkmark not appearing beside Gallagher’s name on the form, and a checkmark appears beside

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the other two committee members’ names, the record nonetheless shows any classification

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decision was made by a committee, and not solely made by Gallagher. (Doc. No. 77 at 88).

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Pratt, 65 F.3d. at 810 (noting the decision to move the plaintiff-inmate was for legitimate

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Further, although not material for purposes of the claims in this action, Plaintiff acknowledges other
rules violations including that he is a member of the “black guerilla gang” and previously tried to murder a
correctional officer while incarcerated. These facts support placement in a single cell, which Plaintiff does
not dispute, or detention on administrative segregation following his physical altercation with a weapon.

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correctional need, or neutral, objective reasons, and not in retaliation, defeated inmate plaintiff’s

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retaliation claim). Further, like Pratt, the record shows Plaintiff was moved to administrative

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segregation as a result of his rules violation report involving a physical altercation with a weapon

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not for any retaliatory purpose.

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Other than his speculation that the other Defendants refused to provide him with

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accommodations at the direction of Defendant Gallaher, Plaintiff provides no evidence that

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Gallagher gave such order. And significant is the above factual findings that the temperatures in

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Plaintiff’s housing unit during the summers 2016 and 2017 were not as high as Plaintiff perceived

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and Plaintiff had accommodations, including cool water available to him in general population or

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upon request in administrative segregation. See Harbridge v. Schwarzenegger, 752 F. App’x 395,

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397 (9th Cir. 2018) (affirming district court’s decision to grant defendants’ summary judgment

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motions when the record showed a single missed meal was not caused by the plaintiff filing

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grievances and record showed legitimate reasons for confiscation of plaintiff’s property). The

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record is devoid that any adverse action was taken against Plaintiff, other than his being moved to

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segregation after assaulting another inmate. At most, the record alleges Gallagher verbally

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bantered with Plaintiff and informed him that he would not run the institution but did not threaten

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Plaintiff with harm. Consequently, the undersigned finds Plaintiff’s First Amendment retaliation

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claim fails as a matter of law.

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E. Qualified Immunity

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Defendants also raise the defense of qualified immunity. (Doc. No. 70-2 at 18-20; Doc.

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No. 86 at 8-11). Because the undersigned has determined the record does not contain a genuine

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dispute of material fact as to whether any Defendant violated Plaintiff’s statutory or constitutional

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rights, the Court need not address whether Defendants are entitled to the affirmative defense of

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qualified immunity.

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Accordingly, it is RECOMMENDED:

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1. Defendants Hernandez, Williams and Flores be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to

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Plaintiff’s stipulation to dismiss these Defendants. Supra at 3:3-4.
2. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (Doc. No. 70) be GRANTED in its
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entirety.

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NOTICE TO PARTIES

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These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge

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assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen (14)

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days after being served with these findings and recommendations, a party may file written

6

objections with the court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s

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Findings and Recommendations.” Parties are advised that failure to file objections within the

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specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834,

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838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).

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Dated:

March 31, 2022
HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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