Marshall v. Cannon et al

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Chief Judge Catherine C. Blake on 12/21/2016. (c/m 12/21/16 bmhs, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
GREGORY MARSHALL, #183-459

*

Plaintiff

*

v

*

DR. BEAU CANNON, Director, Mental
Health Re-entry Action Program of D-2
MS. GRAHEM, Supervisor, Commitment
Office
J. ALLEN, Case Manager
PATUXENT INSTITUTION MENTAL
HEALTH

*

Civil Action No. CCB-16-4024

*
*
*

Defendants
***
MEMORANDUM
Gregory Marshall, a Maryland Division of Correction prisoner housed at Patuxent
Institution, is scheduled for release on January 5, 2017. He states that defendants have failed to
credit him with ten days of good conduct time, which would move his release date to December
25, 2016. He states that on October 14, 2016, he was promised the good conduct time and $30 if
he agreed to move out of Tier C-4 of the mental health wing and be housed on Tier D-2 to
participate in the mental health re-entry action program. Marshall admits that he became very
sick,” was removed from the program, and was placed on suicide watch on October 20, 2016.
(ECF 1 at pp. 1-3). He claims that he should be provided the benefits of the program (good
conduct time and money) based on his six days of participation. (ECF 1 at p. 3). He also claims
that he has cancer and thus must be released from prison as soon as possible.1 (ECF 1 at p. 4).

1

Marshall has been successfully treated for prostate cancer. This issue was addressed in Marshall v. Alloway, et al.,
Civil Action No. GLR-15-3864 (D. Md.) (ECF No. 19).

Marshall, who is proceeding under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, also requests leave to proceed in forma
pauperis. (ECF 2). For the reasons stated below, the lawsuit must be dismissed.
Marshall seeks injunctive relief mandating that the good conduct time and $30 be
awarded to him. He brings his action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Marshall cannot prevail, because
while incarcerated, he has repeatedly filed complaints subject to dismissal under 28 U.S.C. §
1915A and 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), and thus is barred generally from civil filings under the
Athree strikes@ provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).2 Because Marshall has “three strikes” under the
PLRA, he is not permitted to file a civil action unless he pays the full filing fee or proves he is in
imminent danger of serious physical injury. As noted, Marshall has not paid the filing fee.3
Aside from his unsupported claim that he may suffer from cancer, Marshall does not demonstrate
that he is in imminent danger of serious harm.
Federal courts have long recognized that the grant of interim equitable relief is an
“extraordinary remedy involving the exercise of a very far-reaching power.” Direx Israel, Ltd. v.
Breakthrough Med. Corp., 952 F.2d 802, 811 (4th Cir. 1991). A plaintiff seeking such relief
must establish that he is “likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable
harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an
injunction is in the public interest.” Winter v. National Resource Defense Council, Inc., 555 U.S.
7, 20 (2008). All four of these requirements must be established before injunctive relief can be
granted. See The Real Truth About Obama, Inc., v. Federal Election Commission, 575 F.3d 342,
346 (4th Cir. 2009), vacated on other grounds, 559 U.S. 1089 (2010), reinstated in relevant part
on remand, 607 F.3d 355 (4th Cir. 2010) (per curiam).

2

See Marshall v. Lanham, No. AW-97-990 (D. Md. 1997); Marshall v. Corr. Center of Howard Cnty., No.
AW-97-2536 (D. Md. 1997); and Marshall v. Kemmerer, No. AW-02-2133 (D. Md. 2003).
3

Given his “three strikes” status, Marshall’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF 2) will be denied.

2

The second Winter factor is dispositive here: Marshall has not demonstrated that he is
likely to suffer irreparable harm if not released ten days early and paid $30. It would offend
due process were the court to wield its equitable power under these circumstances; it declines
to do so.
For these reasons, a separate order shall be entered denying in forma pauperis status and
dismissing the case without prejudice.4

December 21, 2016
Date

4

____________/S/________________
Catherine C. Blake
United States District Judge

Marshall may of course refile the action and pay the full $400 filing fee at the time of filing.

3