Hines v. Hayes et al

Filing 10

ORDER DISMISSING CASE. Signed by Chief Judge David R. Herndon on 10/20/10. (eed)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

COREY LOUIS HINES, Petitioner, vs. DAVID HAYES, et al., Respondents.

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CIVIL NO. 10-cv-543-DRH

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER HERNDON, Chief Judge: Petitioner Corey Louis Hines, a federal inmate currently confined in the Alton City Jail, brings this habeas corpus action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. This case is now before the Court for a preliminary review of the petition pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in United States District Courts. Rule 4 provides that upon preliminary consideration by the district court judge, "[i]f it plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not entitled to relief in the district court, the judge must dismiss the petition and direct the clerk to notify the petitioner." Rule 1(b) of those Rules gives this Court the authority to apply the rules to other habeas corpus cases. After carefully reviewing the petition in the present case, the Court concludes that Hines is not entitled to relief, and the petition must be dismissed. As stated above, Hines brings this action under the umbrella of habeas corpus law. 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Typically the writ of habeas corpus is used to completely free an inmate from unlawful custody. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 484-85 (1973). The writ has been extended, under certain circumstances, to allow a prisoner to challenge his transfer to a more restrictive confinement. See, e.g., United States v. Harris, 12 F.3d 735, 736 (7th Cir. 1994); Graham v. Broglin, 922 F.2d 379

(7th Cir. 1991). If the prisoner is seeking what can fairly be described as a quantum change in the level of custody ­ whether outright freedom, or freedom subject to the limited reporting and financial constraints of bond or parole or probation, or the run of the prison in contrast to the approximation to solitary confinement that is disciplinary segregation ­ then habeas corpus is his remedy. But if he is seeking a different program or location or environment, then he is challenging the conditions rather than the fact of his confinement and his remedy is under civil rights law.... Id. at 381 (emphasis added); Falcon v. U.S. Bureau of Prisons, 52 F.3d 137, 138-139 (7th Cir. 1995). In the instant case, Hines complains about many factors related to his incarceration in the Alton City Jail: placement in disciplinary segregation, denial of outside recreation, denial of medical care, denial of vegetarian diet, inadequate furnishings, denial of library facilities, discrimination, handling of personal and legal mail, garnishment of trust fund account monies, and confiscation of 10 bars of soap. Such claims do not request a "quantum change in the level of custody" and thus cannot be addressed in habeas corpus. While courts sometimes construe a mistakenly-labeled habeas corpus petitions as a civil rights complaint, see, e.g., Graham, 922 F.2d at 381-82 (collecting cases), it would be inappropriate to do so here, because Hines would face obstacles under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, Title VIII of Pub.L. No. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321 (effective April 26, 1996). See generally 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Therefore, the Court is unable to provide the relief sought. Accordingly, this habeas corpus action is DISMISSED without prejudice to Hines pursuing his claims in a properly filed civil rights action. The Clerk shall CLOSE THIS CASE. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: October 20, 2010.
David R. Herndon 2010.10.20 11:54:13 -05'00'

CHIEF JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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