Raymond v. Rodriquez

Filing 164

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet on 1/24/14. (mdb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELA WARE

THOMAS J. RAYMOND,

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Plaintiff,
v.

EUSEHIO RODRIQUEZ, et aI.,
Defendants.

Civ. No. 12-151-GMS

MEMORANDUM

The plaintiff, Thomas J. Raymond ("Raymond"), an inmate at the James T. Vaughn
Correctional Center, Smyrna, Delaware, appears pro se and was granted pennission to proceed in

Jormapauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (D.L 6.)
I.

BACKGROUND

Raymond filed a complaint and amendments raising failure to protect claims, pursuant to
42 U.S.c. § 1983, against the defendants Sgt. Dorian George ("George") and C/O Jason Foraker
("Foraker) (together "State defendants") and a State assault claim against inmate Eusehio
Rodriquez ("Rodriquez"). (D.!. 3, 8.)
Raymond and Rodriquez were housed together. According to Raymond's affidavit, on or
about November 10,2011, he notified a female officer that Rodriquez had a razor blade. (D.L 8,
PI.'s aff. 1.) She notified C/O Green who conducted a shakedown of the cell occupied by
Raymond and Rodriquez, but no razor blade was found. (Id.)
On the morning of November 15,2011, Raymond called George to his cell and gave him
a note. (D.!. 8, Pl.'s aff. 2.) The note states:

I have to speak with you about this guy in this room (he) has already told the Sgt.
on 12-8 the he was going to F-me up. This Sgt. should of had him removed from
this room for making a statement like that. He talks to himself and he always
threatening me even though I know that he's all talk. Now there are only two
people in this room. He's told me he was going to hit me and knock me down so I
sayed [sic] to him is that what they are telling you to do and he said yes. This guy
has a mental problem.
(D.1. 8, Pl.'s aff. 2, ex. A.)
According to Raymond's affidavit, after George read the note he told Raymond to get
Rodriquez. (D.1. 8, Pl.'s aff. 3.) Rodriquez left and then returned to the room. (Jd.) Raymond
"sensed" that something bad was going to happen to him if he stayed in the room and sought help
from Foraker, who according to Raymond, ignored his pleas and told him to go to his room. (Id.)
Foraker's affidavit states that he believed that Raymond wanted to speak to him prior to the
incident with Rodriquez, but Raymond did not go into details. (D.1. 163, ex. C.) Foraker states
that Raymond did not tell him tell him that he was in fear for his life or that he felt threatened by
Rodriquez. (Jd.) Foraker also states that he had no indication that either Raymond or Rodriquez
would have an altercation that day. (Id.)
According to Raymond, when he return to the cell, Rodriquez sliced Raymond's arm with
a razor. (D.1. 3, ex. B; D.1. 8, Pl.'s aff. 3.) Rodriquez told Raymond he did it because the DOC
did not take him seriously. (ld.) At approximately 11 :50 a.m. on the same day, Foraker and
another correctional officer were called to Alpha Lower 12. (D.1. 163, ex. B.) Foraker noticed
that Raymond had a bloody towel hanging from his hand. (Id.) He rushed over, and Raymond
told him that Rodriguez had cut him with a razor on his right forearm. (ld.) Rodriquez had no
apparent injuries. (D.!. 163, ex. C.) George was informed, and a Code 8 (i.e., inmate fighting)
was called. (D.1. 163, ex. B.) Raymond and Rodriquez were separated and each questioned.

2

According to Raymond, Rodriquez admitted to the assault. (D.l. 3 at Pl.'s aff.) Rodriguez was
searched for a weapon but none was found on his person. In addition, their cell was searched,
but no weapon was recovered. (fd.) Raymond was taken to medical for treatment and twelve
sutures were required. (D.l. 138 at 14.)
Raymond was charged with assault, disorderly or threatening behavior, fighting, failing to
obey an order, lying, failing to obey an orderlabide by posted regulations and/or assignments.
(D.1. 8, ex. C.) He was found guilty of disorderly or threatening behavior and fighting. (D.I. 138
at 5.) Raymond was moved to segregation following receipt ofa sanction of fifteen days of
isolated confinement with the sanction scheduled to end on November 29,2011. (D.I. 138 at 5.)
A pre-segregation health assessment noted three lacerations to Raymond's right forearm where
he had been cut with a razor. (D.1. 138 at 8, 9.)
After he was released from isolation, Raymond filed Grievance No. 236410 on December
5,2011, complaining that on November 13,2011, he had notified two unidentified officers in
building 21 that his cellmate had a razor. A female officer notified CIO Green who conducted a
shakedown of the cell, but no razor blade was found. Raymond stated that the correctional
officers put his life in danger when Rodriquez used the same razor to injure him. He asked for an
investigation. The grievance was deemed "non grievab1e." (D.L 163, ex. E.) On December 6,
2011, Raymond filed Grievance No. 236411 against SILt. Reynolds regarding the outcome of his
disciplinary hearing. Raymond was informed that the matter was "non grievable." (fd.)
Raymond submitted Grievance No. 238713 on January 14,2012, claiming that his life was
placed in danger on November 15,2011 by Foraker and George because they "ignored [his] plea
for help" and this "resulted in the above being assaulted by the above's roommate with a razor."

3

(fd.) The grievance was returned as "non grievable," as a request not processed through the
grievance process, and as filed in an expired filing period. (D.L 163, ex. E.) It was also returned
as a duplicate grievance as the issue was previously addressed in Grievance No. 236410. (Id.)
Finally, when the grievance was returned, it advised that a request for an investigation should be
made to the Unit Commander. (fd.)
Raymond raises a State claim of assault against Rodriquez. He alleges that George and
Foraker were aware of threats to him by Rodriquez and that they failed to protect him in violation
of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. (D.I. 3 at PI. 's aff.) Raymond seeks
compensatory damages.
Currently pending before the court are numerous motions filed by Raymond including:
(1) motions for entry of default, for a hearing on default judgment, and for default judgment (D.I.
87,93,94,95,97 1); (2) motions for entry ofjudgment pursuant to Rule 54 (D.I. 96,125, 129,
151,159); (3) request for counsel (D.I. 98); (4) motion to extend time to complete discovery
(D.I.I00); (5) motions for declaratory judgment (D.1. 101, ] 02, 132); (6) motions for partial
summary judgment (D.I. 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 150); (7) motions for summary judgment (D.1.
110, Ill, 112); (8) motions for hearings (D.1. 113, 1522); (9) motion for civil immunity (D.l.
114); (10) motion for the court to rule on motions (D.1. 117); (11) motions to amend (D.1. 116,3
118,160); (12) motions for discovery and to compel (D.L 97,4 128, 139, 141, 145,157);

IDocketed as a request and not as a motion.

2Docketed as a request and not as a motion.

3Docketed as a "sum certain" and not as a motion.

4Docketed as a request and not as a motion.

4

(13) motion for the defendants to respond to the plaintiffs motions for summary judgment (D.1.
1545 ); and (14) motion for attorney fees (D.1. 158). Also pending are the State defendants'
motion to strike interrogatories (D.1. 141) and motion for summary judgment (DJ. 148).

II.

REQUESTS FOR DEFAULTIDEFAULT JUDGMENT (DJ. 87,93,94,95,97)
Rodriquez has been served with the complaint but, to date, has not answered or otherwise

appeared. George and Foraker filed an answer to the amended complaint on August 2,2012.
(D.1. 66.) Raymond seeks entry of default and a default judgment. (D.1. 87,94,95.) He also
seeks default judgment against Rodriquez in the sum of $250,000 and against State defendants
and employees or their agents. (D.I. 93.) Finally, Raymond requests a hearing or jury trial on the
issue of damages. (D.L 93, 97.)
"When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief has failed to plead or
otherwise defend as provided by these rules and that fact is made to appear by affidavit or
otherwise, the clerk shall enter the party's default." Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). It is clear from the
record before the court that Rodriquez has "failed to plead or otherwise defend" against the
complaint as provided by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Therefore, the court will grant
Raymond's motion for entry of default as to Rodriquez. (DJ.95.) As noted, George and Foraker
have appeared and answered the amended complaint. Therefore, the court will deny the request
for the entry of default of the State defendants. The Clerk of Court will be ordered to enter a
default in appearance against Rodriguez.
Entry of default judgment is a two-step process. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a), (b). A party
seeking to obtain a default judgment must first request that the clerk of the court "enter ... the

5Docketed as a motion to compeL
5

default" of the party that has not answered the pleading or "otherwise defend[ed]," within the
time required by the rules or as extended by court order. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). Even if default is
properly entered, the entry ofjudgment by default pursuant to Rule 55(b)(2) is within the
discretion of the trial court. Hritz v. Woma Corp., 732 F.2d 1178, 1180 (3d Cir. 1984). The court
finds premature the remaining motions for entry of default judgment and for hearing on damages
given that they were filed prior to entry of default by the Clerk of Court. Said motions will be
denied without prejudice to renew. (D.I.87, 93, 94, 97.)

III.

MOTIONS FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT (D.I. 101, 102, 132)
Raymond filed three motions for declaratory judgment asking the court to terminate the

controversy between the parties and to award declaratory judgment in his favor on the grounds
that the defendants cannot possibly present or provide to the court a genuine issue of material fact
to support their case due to the undisputed facts. (D.1. 101, 102, 132.)
Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Declaratory Judgment Act of
1934 ("the Act") provide that the court may declare the rights and other legal relations of any
interested party seeking such declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be sought. Any
such declaration shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree and shall be
reviewable as such. 28 U.S.C. § 2201. Declaratory judgment is inappropriate solely to
adjudicate past conduct. Corliss v. 0 'Brien, 200 F. App'x 80, 84 (3d Cir. 2006) (unpublished)
(citing Gruntal & Co., Inc. v. Steinberg, 837 F. Supp. 85, 89 (D.N.J. 1993». In addition, it is not
meant simply to proclaim that one party is liable to another. Id (citing Loveladies Harbor, Inc.
v. United States, 27 F.3d 1545, 1553-54 (Fed. Cir. 1994».

6

Here, Raymond seeks declaratory judgment solely to adjudicate past conduct and to
proclaim the defendants' liability to him. Therefore, the motions are inappropriate. Accordingly,
the court will deny the motions for declaratory judgment. (D.I. 101, 102, 132.)

IV.

MOTIONS FOR ENTRY OF JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 54
(D.I. 96, 125, 129, 151, 159)
Raymond moves for judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b) and (c) on the grounds

that there is more than one claim and there is no just reason for a delay. He seeks judgment
against each defendant in the sum of$250,000 per defendant and costs. 6 (D.I. 96,125, 129, 151,
159.)
Rule 54(b), which governs the certification of final decisions in multiple-claim actions,
provides:
When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim,
counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, or when multiple parties are
involved, the court may direct the entry of a final judgment as to one or more but
fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an express determination that
there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of
judgment. In the absence of such determination and direction, any order or other
form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims
or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the
action as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is
subject to revision at any time before the entry ofjudgment adjudicating all the
claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b).
A decision to certify a final judgment under Rule 54(b) requires two separate findings.
First, that there has been a final judgment on the merits and second, that there is no just reason

6In docket item 159, Raymond seeks to amend his previously filed motion for judgment.
The court considers D.1. 159 as an amended motion.
7

for delay. Curtiss-Wright Corp. v. General Elec. Co., 446 U.S. 1,8 (1980). In the instant case
the court has not entered a final judgment on the merits.
Rule 54(c) provides: "A default judgment must not differ in kind from, or exceed in
amount, what is demanded in the pleadings. Every other final judgment should grant the relief to
which each party is entitled, even if the party has not demanded that relief in its pleadings." Fed.
R. Civ. P. 54(c). To date, default judgment has not been entered and, therefore, the motion is

premature.
Accordingly, the motions will be denied. (D.!. 96, 125, 129, 151, 159.)
V.

DISCOVERY MOTIONS (D.I. 97, 100, 128, 139, 141, 145, 157)

On February 14,2013, the court entered a scheduling order that provided for the initiation
of all discovery so that it was completed on or before August 30,2013. (See D.I. 81.) On
August 13, 2013, Raymond filed an "application for hearing" that requested entry of an order to
require the defendants to produce the institutional file of Rodriquez, to produce all write-ups and
incident reports given to Rodriquez as a result of the November 15, 2011 incident, and to
produce Rodriquez's medical records. (See D.!. 97.) On August 27,2013, Raymond filed a
motion for an extension of time to complete discovery. (D.I. 100.) Therein, he explains that he
sent a motion for discovery to the law library for photocopying, but it was not returned to him in
"a lame attempt to stop [him] from meeting [his] deadline by the DOC because the DOC is in
[his] suit."? On August 29, 2013, Raymond filed a motion asking the court to enter an order for
the defendants to provide discovery and inspection. (D.!. 128.) Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 33
and 34, Raymond sought any and all admissible evidence, statements, medical records, medical

7The Delaware Department of Correction ("DOC") is not a named defendant.
8

health records, write-ups, disciplinary reports, incident reports, policy directives, or other
documents which the defendants "used to find the plaintiff guilty."
On September 17, 2013, Raymond filed a motion, construed by the court as a motion to
compel, that sought responses from the State defendants to interrogatories and requests for
production of documents served upon them, said motion amended on September 24, 2013. 8 (OJ.
139, 145.) The State defendants move to strike as untimely Raymond's interrogatories (0.1.
127), filed on August 29, 2013 and his motion for discovery for inspection, filed on September 4,
2013. (See 0.1. 14J.) Raymond opposes the motion. (0.1.155.) On September 30, 2013,
Raymond filed a motion to compel the State defendants to respond to the second set of
interrogatories. (0.1. 157.) Therein, Raymond states that he did not timely serve the second set
of interrogatories because he was in the MHU (Le., medium high housing unit) and, due to
scheduling, was unable to go the commissary to purchase stamps. As a result, Raymond was
required to send the interrogatories out by a "pay-to."
Raymond's discovery requests at issue, including those served upon the defendants and
those in the form of motions filed with the court, are untimely and in derogation ofthe discovery
deadline. The requests and motions did not allow the defendants sufficient time to provide
discovery within the time allowed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or before the
discovery deadline of August 30, 2013. Nonetheless, as acknowledged by the State defendants,
they responded to much of the discovery belatedly served upon them.

San September 24, 2013, Raymond filed a motion to amend his motion for production of
documents, construed by the court as an amended motion for production of documents directed
to State defendants. (0.1. 145.)
9

Notably, on September 13,2013, Raymond advised the court that he is "satisfied that
discovery is complete" and asked the defendants to accept his proposal, and if they do not, for the
court to set a trial date. (D.l. 144.) Given Raymond's acknowledgment that discovery is
complete and that the State defendants responded to discovery even though it was not timely
served, the court will deny Raymond's pending discovery motions and will grant the State
defendants' motion to strike. (D.l. 97,100,128,139,141,145,157.)

VI.

MOTIONS TO AMEND (D.L 116,118,160)
On August 27,2013, Raymond filed two motions to amend: one to add defendants and

the other to amend the ad damnum clause to seek damages in the sum of two million dollars.
(D.I. 116, 118.) On September 30, 2013, Raymond filed a second motion to amend the ad

damnum clause to a sum certain. (D.L 160.) Raymond indicates that there are other individuals,
including the Commissioner of the DOC, whom he wishes to add as defendants. Raymond states
that the Commissioner is responsible for training correctional officers, that he failed to properly
train the officers, and in turn, the officers failed to find the razor blade used to injure him.
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a), a party may amend its pleading once as a matter of
course within twenty-one days after serving it or, if the pleading is one to which a responsive
pleading is required, twenty-one days after service of a responsive pleading or twenty-one days
after service of a Rule 12(b) motion, whichever is earlier. Otherwise, a party may amend its
pleading only with the opposing party's written consent or the court's leave. Rule 15 provides
that court should freely give leave to amend when justice so requires.
The Third Circuit has adopted a liberal approach to the amendment of pleadings to ensure
that "a particular claim will be decided on the merits rather than on technicalities." Dole v. Areo
10

Chern. Co., 921 F.2d 484,486-87 (3d Cir. 1990) (citations omitted). Amendment, however, is
not automatic. See Dover Steel Co., Inc. v. Hartford Accident and Indem., 151 F.R.D. 570, 574
(E.D. Pa. 1993). Leave to amend should be granted absent a showing of "undue delay, bad faith
or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments
previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of the allowance of the
amendment, futility of amendment, etc." Farnan v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962); see also

Gran v. Stafford, 226 F.3d 275, 291 (3d Cir. 2000). Futility of amendment occurs when the
complaint, as amended, does not state a claim upon which relief can be granted. See In re

Burlington Coat Factory Sec. Litig., 114 F.3d 1410, 1434 (3d Cir. 1997). [fthe proposed
amendment "is frivolous or advances a claim or defense that is legally insufficient on its face, the
court may deny leave to amend." Harrison Beverage Co. v. Dribeck Importers, Inc., 133 F.R.D.
463,468 (D.N.J. 1990).
The local rules of this court provide that when seeking to amend, the proposed amended
pleading shall indicate in what respect it differs from the pleading which it amends, by bracketing
or striking through materials to be deleted and underlining materials to be added. See D. Del. LR
15 .1 (b). Raymond did not provide the court with his proposed amendment and, other than to
refer to the Commissioner of the DOC, Raymond does not identify any of the individuals he
wishes to name as defendants. Nor does Raymond provide a reason for his delay in identifying
and naming as defendants individuals who were allegedly involved in the November 2011
occurrence.
Based on the procedural history of this case, Raymond no longer has the option to file an
amended complaint as a matter of course. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(1). While the court may freely

11

grant leave to amend a complaint, based on Raymond's failure to file a brief in support of his
motion to amend, his failure to file a proposed amended complaint, and his failure to identify
potential defendants, the court is unable to determine if the proposed amendment has merit.
Therefore, the motion to amend to add claims and defendants will be denied. (D.!. 118.) The
court will grant Raymond's motions to amend the ad damnum clause. (D.!. 116, 160.)
VII. MOTIONS FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND FOR SUMMARY
JUDGMENT (D.I. 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 148, 150,152, 154)

Raymond moves for partial summary judgment as to: (1) the constitutional violations he
has raised (D.I. 104); (2) the negligence claims raised (DJ. 105)9; (3) the claims raised against
the State defendants in the sum of2.2 million dollars (D.I. 106); (4) George and Foraker for their
deliberate indifference (D.I. 107); (5) the liability of defendants (D.I. 108)10; and (6) the claims of
negligence, deliberate indifference, and constitutional violations (D.I. 150). Raymond also filed
a motion for summary judgment on all claims raised (D.I. 110) against the State defendants (DJ.
111, 112) and based upon his civil immunity (D.!. 114). In addition, Raymond seeks a hearing
on his pending motions for summary judgment (D.I. 113,152.). Finally, Raymond filed a motion
for the State defendants to respond to his motions for summary judgment (D.I. 154).

9The motion seeks partial summary judgment as to claims against C/O Zelby ("Zelby"),
elo Green ("Green"), and Beau Biden ("Biden"). However, the foregoing individuals are not
named defendants. Therefore, as to Zelby, Green, and Biden, the motion is moot.
IOThe motion seeks partial summary judgment as to the liability of George, Foraker,
vee, DOC, Attorney General, and the State of Delaware for their alleged failure to protect him
from harm. However, the vee, DOC, Biden, and the State of Delaware are not named
defendants. Therefore, as to the vee, the DOC, Biden, and the State of Delaware, the motion is
moot.
12

The State defendants move for summary judgment on the grounds that: (1) Raymond has
not shown that the State defendants possessed knowledge of a substantial risk of serious harm
from his inmate roommate and disregarded that danger; and (2) Raymond failed to exhaust his
administrative remedies when he failed to file a grievance within seven days of the incident.
(D.L 148, 149.)
A.

Legal Standard

"The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter oflaw." Fed. R.
Civ. P. 56(a). The moving party has the initial burden of proving the absence ofa genuinely
disputed material fact relative to the clams in question. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.
317 (1986). Material facts are those "that could affect the outcome" of the proceeding, and "a
dispute about a material fact is 'genuine' if the evidence is sufficient to permit a reasonable jury
to return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Lamont v. New Jersey, 637 F .3d 177, 181 (3d Cir.
2011) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242,248 (1986)).
The burden then shifts to the non-movant to demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue
for trial. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574 (1986); Williams

v. Borough a/West Chester, Pa., 891 F.2d 458, 460-461 (3d Cir. 1989). Pursuant to Rule
56(c)( 1), a non-moving party asserting that a fact is genuinely disputed must support such an
assertion by: "(A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including depositions,
documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations ...,
admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials; or (B) showing that the materials cited [by

13

the opposing party] do not establish the absence ... of a genuine dispute ..." Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(c)(l).
When determining whether a genuine issue of material fact exists, the court must view
the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable
inferences in that party's favor. See Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380 (2007); Wishkin v. Potter,
476 F.3d 180, 184 (3d Cir. 2007). A dispute is "genuine" only if the evidence is such that a
reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 247­

249. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., 475 U.S. at 586-587 ("Where the record taken as a whole
could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no 'genuine issue
for trial. "'). Ifthe nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of
its case with respect to which it has the burden of proof, the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter oflaw. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. at 322. The same standards and
burdens apply on cross-motions for summary judgment. Appelmans v. City ojPhiladelphia, 826
F.2d 214,216 (3d Cir. 1987).

B.

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

The State defendants move for summary judgment on the grounds that Raymond has
failed to properly exhaust his administrative remedies as is required by the Prison Litigation
Reform Act ("PLRA") and, in particular, that he did not timely file his grievances. Raymond
responds that he was unable to timely file grievances due to his transfer to isolation, and that he
wrote several letters to prison officials regarding the events of November 15, 2011. (See D.L
162.)

14

The PLRA provides that "[n]o action shall be brought with respect to prison conditions
under section 1983 or any other Federal law, by a prisoner confined in any jail, prison, or other
correctional facility until such administrative remedies as are available are exhausted." 42
U.S.C. § 1997e(a); see Porter v. Nussle, 534 U.S. 516, 532 (2002) ("[T]he PLRA's exhaustion
requirement applies to all inmate suits about prison life, whether they involve general
circumstances or particular episodes, and whether they allege excessive force or some other
wrong. "). The defendants have the burden of pleading and proving failure to exhaust
administrative remedies as an affirmative defense in a § 1983 action. Ray v. Kertes, 285 F.3d
287,295-96 (3d Cir. 2002).
Under § 1997e(a), "an inmate must exhaust [administrative remedies] irrespective of the
forms of relief sought and offered through administrative avenues." Booth v. Churner, 532 U.S.
731, 741 n.6 (2001). Exhaustion means proper exhaustion, that is, "a prisoner must complete the
administrative review process in accordance with the applicable procedural rules, including
deadlines, as a precondition to bringing suit in federal court." Woodford v. Ngo, 548 U.S. 81, 88,
(2006). '" [P]rison grievance procedures supply the yardstick' for determining what steps are
required for exhaustion." Williams v. Beard, 482 F.3d 637, 639 (3d Cir. 2007) (quoting Spruill v.

Gillis, 372 F.3d 218,231 (3d Cir. 2004)). A prisoner must complete the administrative review
process in accordance with the applicable procedural rules in order to satisfy the exhaustion
requirement of the PLRA. Nickens v. Department ofCarr., 277

App'x 148, 152 (3d Cir.

2008) (unpublished) (citing Williams, 482 F.3d at 639; Spruill, 372 F.3d at 228, 231). Perfect
overlap between the grievance and the complaint is not required by the PLRA as long as there is
a shared factual basis between the two. Jackson v. Ivans, 244 F. App'x 508, 513 (3d Cir. 2007)

15

(unpublished) (citing Woodford, 548 U.S. at 95 ("The benefits of exhaustion can be realized only
if the prison grievance system is given a fair opportunity to consider the grievance. "). A futility
exception to the PLRA's mandatory exhaustion requirement is completely precluded. Banks v.
Roberts, 251 F. App'x 774, 776 (3d Cir. 2007) (unpublished) (citing Nyhuis v. Reno, 204 F.3d
65, 71 (3d Cir. 2000). The exhaustion requirement is absolute, absent circumstances where no
administrative remedy is available. See Spruill, 372 F.3d at 227-28; Nyhuis, 204 F.3d at 67. A
grievance procedure is not available, even if one exists on paper, if the defendant prison officials
somehow prevent a prisoner from using it. Mitchell v. Horn, 318 F.3d 523 (3d Cir. 2003). If
prison authorities thwart the inmate's efforts to pursue the grievance, administrative remedies
may be presumed exhausted, as no further remedies are "available" to him. Brown v. Croak, 312
F.3d 109,112-13 (3d Cir. 2002).
The policy for DOC Bureau of Prisons provides for a multi-tiered grievance and appeal
process. (D.1. 149, ex. D, Policy No. 4.4 ("Police No. 4.4") effective date Sept. 26, 2011.) First,
the inmate must manually complete a grievance form and submit the completed form to the
Inmate Grievance Chairperson ("IGC") within seven calendar days of the incident for an attempt
at informal resolution. (Jd. at 5.) The IGC enters data from the grievance form into an
automated grievance tracking system. (Jd.) If the grievance is not resolved through an informal
resolution, the grievance is electronically forwarded to the Resident Grievance Committee
("RGC") or the Local Subject Matter Expert ("SME") Panel to schedule a grievance hearing.
(Jd.) Either an RGC or SME hearing is held, followed by RGC/SME Panel recommendations to

the facility Warden or appropriate Bureau-Level SME for a decision, and the inmate is notified of
the decision. (Jd. at 6.) If the inmate rejects the decision, an appeal may be submitted to the

16

Bureau Grievance Officer ("BGO") who conducts a review and makes a recommendation to the
Bureau Chief. (Id. at 6-7.) The Bureau Chief either accepts or rejects the BGO recommendation.
(Id. at 8.) The decision is final and is not open to further grievant debate. (Id.)

The record reflects that Raymond filed three grievances. As acknowledged by the State
defendants, given Raymond's fifteen day confinement in isolation and his inability to submit
grievances during that time, the seven day time-frame for him to submit his grievances began to
run on or about November 30, 2011, when he was released from isolation. Raymond submitted
Grievance No. 236410 on December 5, 2011 and Grievance No. 236411 on December 6, 2011.
Accordingly, the court finds that these two grievances were submitted within the seven day time­
frame as required by Policy No. 4.4. Both grievances were returned as "non grievable." In
Grievance No. 236410, Raymond raised the issue of correctional officers' alleged failure to
protect after they were unable to find a razor in his cell and the razor was later used to injure him
on November 15,2011.
The State defendants contend that Raymond did not file a grievance alleging any
misconduct with regard to the State defendants until he submitted a grievance on January 14,
2012, Grievance No. 238713. Grievance No. 238713 complains that Raymond's life was placed
in danger on November 15,2011 by Foraker and George when they "ignored [his] plea for help"
and this "resulted in the above being assaulted." The State defendants argue that, because
Grievance No. 238713 was not submitted within the seven day time-frame (i.e., seven days after
November 30, 2011 as discussed above), Raymond failed to properly exhaust his administrative
remedies.

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The State defendants, however, fail to acknowledge that Grievance Nos. 236410 and
238713 are both related to the November 15,2011 incident and share a factual basis with
Raymond's claim that correctional officers failed to protect him. Indeed, prison officials
acknowledged that both grievances shared a factual basis as noted in their return of the January
14,2012 Grievance No. 238713 on the grounds that it was a "Duplicate Grievance(s). This
issue was previously addressed in Grievance #236410." (D.I. 148, ex. E.) (emphasis added).
Timely submitted Grievance No. 236410 raised issues to which the prison system responded. It
is evident from the record that the facts of Grievance No. 236410 formed a basis for Grievance
No. 238713 said claim being that prison officials failed to protect him. Both Grievance No.
236410 and Grievance No. 238713 were returned by prison officials as "non grievable" leaving
Raymond with no other available administrative remedy. Based upon the foregoing, the court
finds that Raymond properly exhausted the grievance procedure.
Therefore, the court will deny the State defendants' motion for summary judgment on the
issue that Raymond failed to exhaust his administrative remedies.
C.

Failure to Protect

Raymond moves for summary judgment on the grounds that there is no genuine issue of
material fact that the State defendants were negligent and that they failed to protect him from
harm in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. I I The State

11When the court screened the amended complaint that added the State defendants, it
liberally construed the allegations as alleging viable failure to protect claims even though
Raymond alleged that the State defendants were "negligent in their duties." Raymond was not
allowed to proceed with negligence claims. Regardless, Raymond speaks to the negligence of
the State defendants in his partial motions for summary judgment and in his opposition to the
State defendants' motion for summary judgment. Notably, the United States Supreme Court has
held that prison authorities' mere negligence in and of itself does not violate prisoners'

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defendants move for summary judgment on the grounds that the evidence of record could not
lead a reasonable jury to conclude that the State defendants failed to protect Raymond.
To prevail on an Eighth Amendment failure to protect claim, a plaintiff is required to
show that (1) he is incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of serious harm (the
objective element); and (2) prison officials acted with deliberate indifference, i.e., that prison
officials knew of and disregarded an excessive risk to inmate health or safety (the subjective
element). See Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 833·34 (1994); see also Griffin v. DeRosa, 153
F. App'x 851 (3d Cir. 2005) (unpublished).
"The knowledge element of deliberate indifference is subjective, not objective
knowledge, meaning that the official must actually be aware of the existence of the excessive
risk; it is not sufficient that the official should have been aware." Beers-Capitol v. Whetzel,256
F.3d 120, 133 (3d Cir. 2001). Knowledge may be shown where the official has actual notice of
the risk, Nami v. Fauver, 82 F.3d 63, 67·68 (3d Cir. 1996), or where the risk was "longstanding,
pervasive, well·documented, or expressly noted by prison officials in the past, and the
circumstances suggest that the defendant-official being sued had been exposed to information
concerning the risk and thus must have known about it." Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842.
The court concludes after reviewing the evidence of record that there remain genuine
issues of fact as to whether the State defendants failed to protect Raymond from harm. Raymond
provided the court with affidavits outlining the events of the day. The morning of the assault,
Raymond gave George a note voicing his concerns. The noted stated that Raymond had

constitutional rights. See Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327,330·30 (1986). Should Raymond
seek to advance a State negligence claim, he must file the appropriate motion. Therefore, the
court does not consider the issue of negligence as discussed by Raymond.
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previously been threatened by Rodriquez. Following receipt of the note, George spoke to
Rodriquez, but the substance of the conversation was not provided to the court. Rodriquez and
Raymond remained cellmates and the same day Rodriquez cut Raymond with a razor. Given the
paucity of evidence, there remain issues of fact as to what George knew and whether he
disregarded a risk of serious harm to Raymond.
As to Foraker, his version of the events of November 15,2011, and Raymond's version
of version of the events of the same day, are at odds with one another. Raymond states that he
sought help from Foraker who ignored his pleas and told him to go to his room. Foraker states
he believed that Raymond wanted to speak to him prior to the incident with Rodriquez, but
Raymond did not go into details. It is not this court's role "to weigh the evidence and determine
the truth of the matter, but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial," Anderson v.

Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 250. Moreover, "[c]redibility determinations, the weighing of
the evidence, and the drawing of legitimate inferences from the facts are jury functions, not those
of a judge." Id. at 255. In the instance case, sufficient evidence supporting the claimed factual
dispute has been shown such that it requires a jury or judge to resolve at trial the parties'
differing versions of the truth. See e.g., Jackson v. Univ. ofPittsburgh, 826 F.2d 230,233 (3d
Cir. 1987).
Inasmuch as there remain genuine issues of material fact, the court will deny the parties'
motions for summary judgment on the failure to protect issue. (D.!. 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,
110,111,112,113,114,148,150,152,154.)

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VIII. REQUEST FOR COUNSEL AND FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES (D.L 98, 158)
Raymond requests counsel to protect his case and claims and to verify that the motions he
filed are correct. (D.I.98.) In addition, Raymond requests attorney's fees to compensate him for
the prosecution of this case. (D.I.158.)
Raymond appears pro se. Having considered the record, the court determines that it is
appropriate to encourage legal representation for Raymond by an attorney in this case.
Therefore, the court will grant the request for counsel. (D.I.98.)
Finally, Raymond seeks attorney's fees. The motion is premature given that neither party
has prevailed. In addition, a pro se litigant is not entitled to attorney fees under the Civil Rights
Attorney's Fees Award Act. Pitts v. Vaughn, 679 F.2d 311,313 (3d Cir. 1982). Raymond is not
an attorney and is not entitled to payment for his self-representation. Accordingly, the court will
deny the motion. (D.I. 158.)

IX.

CONCLUSION
For the above stated reasons, the court will: (1) grant Raymond's request for entry of

default as to Rodriquez (D.I. 95); (2) deny Raymond's requests for default as to George and
Foraker, motions for hearing on defaultjudgrnent and all motions for default judgment (D.I. 87,
93,94,97); (3) deny Raymond's motions for declaratory judgment (D.I. 101, 102, 132); (4) deny
Raymond's motions for entry ofjudgement pursuant to Rule 54 (D.I. 96, 125, 129, 151, 159);
(5) deny Raymond's discovery motions (D.I. 97,100,128,139,145,157); (6) grant the State
defendants' motion to strike (D.I. 141); (7) grant Raymond's motions to amend the ad damnum
clause (D.1. 116, 160); (8) deny Raymond's motion to amend to add claims and defendants (D.1.
118); (9) grant Raymond's request for counsel (D.1. 98); (10) deny Raymond's motion for
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attorney's fees (D.1. 158); (11) deny as moot Raymond's motion for the court to rule on all
motions (D.1. 117); (12) deny Raymond's partial motions for summary judgment and motions for
summary judgment and for hearing (D.L 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 150,
152,154); and (13) deny the State defendants' motion for summary judgment (D.l. 148). The
matter will be stayed pending the attempt to refer representation of Raymond to a member of the
Federal Civil Panel.
An appropriate order will be entered.

--

DGE

J""" 1,.'1

,2014
Wilmington, Delaware

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