Razzaq (ID 110631) v. Burton et al

Filing 14

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ENTERED: This matter is dismissed for failure to state a claim for relief. Plaintiff's motion for examination by outside mental health professionals 9 is denied. Plaintiff's motion to amend 12 is denied as futile. Signed by U.S. Senior District Judge Sam A. Crow on 03/03/17. Mailed to pro se party Murad Razzaq by regular mail. (smnd)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS

MURAD RAZZAQ,
Plaintiff,
v.

CASE NO. 16-3214-SAC-DJW

J. BURTON, et al.,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is a civil rights action filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
by a prisoner in state custody.
Plaintiff’s complaint alleges that a correctional officer
harassed him by making statements to him on two occasions. On the first
occasion, he alleges that the defendant observed him in the shower
and said “don’t drop the soap” (Doc. #1, Attach. p. 3). On the second,
during his rounds, the correctional officer looked into plaintiff’s
cell and stated “what are you doing, reenacting Naked and Afraid?”1
Id. Plaintiff seeks damages for emotional distress and mental anguish.
On November 16, 2016, U.S. Magistrate Judge Waxse assessed an
initial partial filing fee and directed plaintiff to show cause why
this matter should not be dismissed for failure to state a claim for
relief. The Court granted plaintiff an extension of time, and
plaintiff has submitted the initial partial filing fee, a motion to
amend the complaint (Doc. #12), two responses (Docs. #8 and #13), and
a motion for an order directing an examination by outside mental health
professsionals (Doc. #9). The Court has considered all of these
1

Naked and Afraid is the title of a reality television series that places contestants
in a wilderness environment without clothing or supplies.

pleadings in making the ruling set out in this order.
The pleadings identify two episodes of verbal taunts. While
plaintiff found this behavior offensive, such conduct, however
derogatory, does not violate his constitutional rights. See
Northington v. Jackson, 973 F.2d 1518, 1524 (10th Cir.
1992)(“necessarily excluded from the cruel and unusual punishment
inquiry” are “verbal threats and harassment”) and Collins v. Cundy,
603 F.2d 825, 827 (10th Cir. 1979)(per curiam)(threats to hang a
detainee did not state a claim under Section 1983). The conduct
described by plaintiff and attributed to defendant Burton therefore
does not state a claim for relief. Likewise, as Judge Waxse explained,
plaintiff’s claim of mental anguish is insufficient to state a claim
for relief. Enacted as part of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, 42
U.S.C. § 1997e(e) bars a federal civil action by a confined person
alleging mental or emotional injury without a prior showing of a
physical injury or the commission of a sexual act. Plaintiff has failed
to meet that threshold.
Plaintiff makes no objection to the analysis concerning the
remaining defendants, and the Court adopts the reasoning set out in
the order entered by Judge Waxse.
IT IS, THEREFORE, BY THE COURT ORDERED this matter is dismissed
for failure to state a claim for relief.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED plaintiff’s motion for examination by
outside mental health professionals (Doc. #9) is denied.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED plaintiff’s motion to amend (Doc. #12) is
denied as futile.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED:

This 3rd day of March, 2017, at Topeka, Kansas.

S/ Sam A. Crow
SAM A. CROW
U.S. Senior District Judge