Burnett v. Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center et al
Filing
8
MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER, 1) Plaintiff's claims against Department of Corrections and Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center ("K.C.P.C") terminated as DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and because these state agency defendants are immune from damages in 1983 proceedings, 28 USC 1915(e)(2)(ii) and (iii) 2) Court will enter an appropriate judgment in favor of defendants 3) Burnett's 42 USC 1983 claims asserted again st Dr. Hackman and Dr. Amy Truette (employees/officials of the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange are TRANSFERRED TO USDC/WDKY at Louisville for all further disposition; Clerk shall take the necessary adm steps to effectuate the tra nsfer of Burnett's 1983 claims asserted against these defendants set forth in DE 1 and DE 4 to USDC/WDKY Louisville Division 4) This proceeding is DISMISSED AND STRICKEN FROM DOCKET. Signed by Judge Henry R. Wilhoit, Jr on 11/15/16.(SMT)cc: COR, Burnette, Jailer/Warden, KYDOC via USMail [Transferred from kyed on 11/15/2016.]
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
NORTHERN DIVISION AT ASHLAND
L.D. BURNETT,
Plaintiff,
v.
KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL
PSYCHAITIC CENTER, et al.,
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Action No. 0:16-CV-117-HRW
MEMORDANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER
Defendants.
***** ***** ***** *****
Plaintiff L.D. Burnett is an inmate confined m the Boyd County
Detention Center ("BCDC") located in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Proceeding
without counsel, Burnett has filed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights complaint
[D. E. No. 1; D. E. No. 4 (Page 8 of Complaint)] in which he asserts various
constitutional claims against the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center
("KCPC"), two KCPC psychiatrists, 1 and the Kentucky Department of
Corrections, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Burnett, who is a pre-trial detainee
facing felony criminal charges in the Boyd County Circuit Court, 2 alleges
Burnett identifies these defendants as "Dr. Hackman" and "Dr. Amy Truette." [D. E. No.
1, p. 1] On page one of his complaint, Burnett incorrectly identified Dr. Amy Truette as the
Commissioner of the KDOC, see id., p. 1, §II (B), but later identified her as a psychiatrist
at the KCPC. See id., P. 2, § II (C). The KDOC's website reveals that the current
Commissioner of the KDOC is Rodney Ballard.
See
http://corrections.ky.gov/DEPTS/Pages/Commissioner%27s0ffice.aspx#a (last visited on
~ovember 2, 2016).
The publically available records from the Boyd County Circuit Court reveal that Burnett
has been charged with First Degree Assault, and that on October 28, 2016, an order was
entered scheduling a pre-trial conference in that proceeding for December 9, 2016, at
11 :OOa.m. Commonwealth of Kentucky v. L.D. Burnett, No. 15-CR-262-001 (George W.
that while undergoing an evaluation at the KCPC, the defendants improperly
discontinued his prescribed medications and thus demonstrated deliberate
indifference to his serious medical needs; that their actions or omissions
caused him to suffer physical harm, hallucinations, pain and suffering; and
that their actions or omissions caused him to engage in dangerous suicidal
conduct, all of which amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. [D. E. No.
l] Burnett demands $1,000,000 in damages from the defendants. See D. E.
No. 4. Because Burnett is a pre-trial detainee, his claims alleging cruel and
unusual punishment and deliberate indifference fall under the Fourteenth
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which applies to state defendants.
The Court conducts a preliminary review of Burnett's § 1983
complaint because he asserts claims against government officials, and
because he has been granted in forma pauperis status in this action.
28
U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2); 1915A. In such cases, a district court must dismiss
any action which (i) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim on
which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a
defendant who is immune from such relief.
Id.
Because Burnett is
proceeding without an attorney, the Court liberally construes his claims and
Davis, ill, Boyd Circuit Judge, Div. I, presiding)
2
accepts his factual allegations as true. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94
(2007); Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-56 (2007).
But as explained below, Burnett's § 1983 claims asserted against the
KCPC and the KDOC will be dismissed with prejudice, and his § 1983
claims asserted against KCPC officials Dr. Hackman and Dr. Amy Truette
will be severed from this proceeding and transferred to the United States
District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville Division, for
all further disposition.
DISCUSSION
1.§ 1983 Claims Against the KDOC and the KCPC
Burnett seeks substantial damages from both the KDOC and the
KCPC, but he cannot recover damages from either of these state government
entities. To state a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must allege that a "person"
acting under color of state law deprived the plaintiff of a right secured by the
Constitution or federal law.
See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The KDOC is a
department within the Justice and Public
Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Safety Cabinet of the
See Exec. Order No. 2004-730 (July 9,
2004); Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12.250. It has long been established that a state
and its agencies are not "persons" subject to suit under§ 1983. Will v. Mich.
Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989); Matthews v. Jones, 35 F.3d
1046, 1049 (6th Cir. 1994). Because the KDOC is not a "person" under §
3
1983, Burnett fails to state a cognizable claim form money damages against
the KDOC.
Burnett's § 1983 claims seeking money damages from the
KDOC must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can
be granted. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(ii).
Additionally, the Eleventh Amendment3 bars all claims for relief
against the KDOC. A state and its agencies, such as the KDOC, may not be
sued in federal court, regardless of the relief sought, unless the state has
waived its sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment or Congress
has overridden it. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Auth. v. Metcalf & Eddy,
Inc., 506 U.S. 139, 146 (1993) (recognizing that suits against states and state
agencies "are barred regardless of the relief sought"); Pennhurst State Sch.
& Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 124 (1984); Alabama v. Pugh, 438 U.S.
781, 782 (1978). The Commonwealth of Kentucky has not waived its
immunity, see Adams v. Morris, 90 F. App'x 856, 857 (6th Cir. 2004), and
in enacting § 1983, Congress did not intend to override the traditional
sovereign immunity of the states. Will, 491 U.S. at 66; Whittington v. Milby,
928 F.2d 188, 193-94 (6th Cir. 1991) (citing Quern v. Jordan, 440 U.S. 332,
341 (1979)); Smith v. Dep't of Corr., No. 5:06-CV-P72-R, 2007 WL
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, "The Judicial power
of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced
or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens
or Subjects of any Foreign State."
4
2460993 (W.D. Ky. Aug. 24, 2007) (dismissing prisoner-plaintiff's § 1983
claims for money damages against KDOC based on Eleventh Amendment
immunity). For this additional reason, Burnett's § 1983 claim for money
damages against the KDOC will be dismissed with prejudice, because the
KDOC is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(iii).
The same results obtain with respect to Burnett's claims for money
damages from the KCPC. The KCPC is physically located in, and conducts
its business from, the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex located in
LaGrange, Kentucky 40031, in Oldham County, Kentucky. 4
KCPC's
operations
fall
under the
auspices
But the
and authority of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services. See
908 KAR 3: 160 "Policies and procedures of Kentucky Correctional
Psychiatric Center."
The mission of the KCPC is to provide " ... professional objective and
thorough forensic pretrial evaluations for the judicial system and quality
inpatient psychiatric services of persons charged with or convicted of felony
offenses."
See http://dpa.state.ky.us/library/manuals/mental/Chl2.html,
The Luther Luckett Correctional Complex " .. .is unique in that it actually houses two
separate institutions. The Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center operated by the Health
and Family Services Cabinet. The two facilities share a number of resources and operate
under
a
written
shared
services
agreement."
See
http://corrections.ky. govI depts/Al/LLCC/Pages/AboutLLCC .aspx (last visited on November
2, 2016).
5
("Pre Trial Evaluation Program Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center,"
by Gregory S. Taylor) (last visited on November 2, 2016).
Thus, as a division of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Cabinet for
Health and Family Services, the KCPC is entitled to the same immunity
from suit and Eleventh Amendment protection from § 1983 claims for
damages as that enjoyed by the KDOC.
See Dickerson v. Kentucky
Correctional Psychiatric Center, No. 3:15-CV-P724-DJH, No. 2016 WL
270460, at *2 (W.D. Ky. Jan. 19, 2016) (dismissing prisoner-plaintiffs §
1983 claims for money damages against KCPC based on Eleventh
Amendment immunity). Again, under the Eleventh Amendment, states and
state agencies are immune from suit in federal court, and are not "persons"
subject to suit under § 1983.
Will, 491 U.S. at 71. Thus, KCPC is also
absolutely immune from § 1983 liability, and the Court will dismiss with
prejudice Burnett's§ 1983 claims for money damages against the KCPC.
2. § 1983 Claims Against Two KCPC Psychiatrists
Having dismissed with prejudice Burnett's § 1983 claims against the
KDOC and the KCPC, only two individually named defendants, "Dr.
Hackman" and "Dr. Amy Truette," remain in this action.
As previously
discussed, Burnett identified these two defendants as psychiatrists employed
at the KCPC. As also previously noted, the KCPC is physically located in
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the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky, 5 in
Oldham County Kentucky.
Any officials/employees of the KCPC
presumably work and reside in Oldham County, Kentucky, not in this
district.
Further, the alleged actions and constitutional violations about
which Burnett complains occurred at KCPC facility which is physically
located in the Luther Correctional Complex, in Oldham County Kentucky,
not in this district. See 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). Oldham County, Kentucky,
falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States District Court for
the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville Division. 28 U.S.C. § 97(b).
Title 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a) permits a district court to transfer a civil
action under certain circumstances. 6 Having dismissed the § 1983 claims
asserted against the one defendant located in this district (i.e., the KDOC, a
state agency with its offices located in Frankfort, Kentucky), the Court
determines that under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 21,7 severing and
Luther Luckett Correctional Complex is located at Dawkins Road, Box 6, LaGrange,
Kentucky 40031. See http://corrections.ky.gov/depts/AVLLCC/Pages/default.aspx (last
visited on November 2, 2016).
6
Title 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a) provides:
For the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a
district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division
where it might have been brought or to any district or division to which all
parties have consented.
7
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 21 provides:
Misjoinder of parties is not ground for dismissal of an action. Parties may
7
transferring Burnett's remaining§ 1983 claims against Dr. Hackman and Dr.
Amy Truette (KCPC employees/officials from whom Burnett appears to be
seeking money damages in their individual capacities), will promote the
interests of justice and the convenience of parties, because the United States
District Court for the Western District (at Louisville) is the proper venue for
any claims asserted against any officials employed by the KCPC.
"As with any case in federal court, [the severed action] may be
transferred under appropriate circumstances .... Indeed, the fact that a claim
might be subject to transfer to a more appropriate venue is a valid reason to
order severance." Michaels Bldg. Co. v. Ameritrust Co., NA., 848 F.2d 674,
682 (6th Cir. 1988); see also Jones v. Pancake, Civil Action Nos. 3:06CVP188-H; 3:07CV00634-JGH; 0:07-cv-00111, 2007 WL 4104568, at *3
(W.D. Ky. Nov. 14, 2007) (concluding that " .... the most economical and
just manner in which to proceed is to sever Plaintiffs claims against
Defendants Motley and Rees and then transfer them to the Eastern District of
Kentucky, where venue over the claims is most appropriate. See 28 U.S.C. §
1404(a)."). A motion for transfer of venue is not required, and the court may
be dropped or added by order of the court on motion of any party or of
its own initiative at any stage of the action and on such terms as are just.
Any claim against a party may be severed and proceeded with
separately.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 21 (emphasis added)
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enter a transfer order sua sponte. Carver v. Knox County Tennessee, 887
F.2d 1287, 1291 (6th Cir. 1989).
Therefore, Burnett's § 1983 claims asserted against the two
individually named defendants, Dr. Hackman and Dr. Amy Truette, in their
individual and/or official capacities, will be severed from this action,
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 21, and transferred to the proper
venue, which is the United States District Court for the Western District of
Kentucky, Louisville Division, for all further disposition.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that:
1.
Plaintiff L. D. Burnett's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims against the
Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, in LaGrange Kentucky, and the
Kentucky Department of Corrections,
in
Frankfort,
Kentucky,
are
DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim upon which
relief can be granted, and because these state agency defendants are immune
from damages in§ 1983 proceedings. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(ii) and (iii).
2.
The Court will enter an appropriate Judgment in favor of
Defendants the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center and the Kentucky
Department of Corrections.
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3.
Burnett's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 constitutional claims asserted
against Dr. Hackman and Dr. Amy Truette, (employees/officials of the
Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange, Kentucky), in their
individual and/or official capacities, are TRANSFERRED to the United
States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville
Division, for all further disposition. The Clerk of the Court shall TAKE the
necessary administrative steps to effectuate the transfer of Burnett's § 1983
claims asserted against these defendants (set forth in D. E. No. 1 and D. E.
No. 4) to the United States District Court for the Western District of
Kentucky, Louisville Division.
4.
This proceeding is DISMISSED and STRICKEN from the
Court's docket.
This November 15, 2016.
"","~
f~'\ Signed Sy:
~
~~f/l{I
10
Henry R.
W/lholt. Jr.
United Stat•• District Judge
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