Smith v. Perlman et al
Filing
38
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER: ORDERED, that the Report and Recommendation by United States Magistrate Judge David R. Homer (Dkt. No. 33 ) is rejected in part and accepted in part for the reasons set forth herein. ORDERED, that defendants' mo tion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 24 ) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as set forth herein. ORDERED, that plaintiff's cross-motion to amend the complaint (Dkt. No. 27 ) is DENIED. Signed by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino on 3/19/12. (Attachments: # 1 Report and Recommendation) (served on plaintiff by regular mail)(alh, )
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________
AUREL SMITH
Plaintiff,
v.
9:11-CV-0020
(MAD/DRH)
KENNETH PERLMAN, Deputy Commissioner of
Programs, NYS Department of Correctional
Services; MARK LEONARD, Director of Ministerial
Services, NYS Department of Correctional Services;
DANIEL MARTUSCELLO, Superintendent of
Coxsackie Correctional Facility; CAPTAIN R.
SHANLEY, Captain, Acting Deputy Superintendent
of Security at Coxsackie Correctional Facility;
SALTSMAN, Correctional Officer, Coxsackie
Correctional Facility; and MR. J. ADAMS1,
Correctional Officer, Coxsackie Correctional Facility,
Defendants.
________________________________________________
APPEARANCES:
OF COUNSEL:
AUREL SMITH
02-A-6279
Auburn Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 618
Auburn, New York 13201
Plaintiff Pro Se
HON. ERIC T. SCHNEIDERMAN
Attorney General for the State of New York
The Capitol
Albany, New York 12224-0341
Attorney for Defendants
1
Mr. J. Adams correct first name is “Todd”.
Christopher W. Hall., Esq.
MAE A. D’AGOSTINO, U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER
INTRODUCTION
In this pro se action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, plaintiff, an inmate in the custody of the
New York State Department of Correctional and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”), claims
that defendants violated § 3 of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000
(“RLUIPA”), 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc–1, the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and
plaintiff’s rights to Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. In addition, plaintiff
asserted state law claims against defendants Martuscello, Saltsman and Adams. Defendants’
moved to dismiss the amended complaint pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) (Dkt. No. 24) and
plaintiff cross moved to amend the complaint. (Dkt. No. 27). The motions were referred to
United States Magistrate Judge David R. Homer for a Report-Recommendation pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 72.3( c ). Magistrate Judge Homer issued a ReportRecommendation (Dkt. No. 33) recommending that the motion to dismiss be granted in part and
denied in part and further, recommending that plaintiff’s cross motion to amend be denied.2
Plaintiff and defendants filed specific objections to the Report-Recommendation. (Dkt.
Nos. 34 and 36). In view of the objections and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), this Court
conducts a de novo review of these issues. The Court reviews the remaining portions of the
Report-Recommendation for clear error or manifest injustice. See Brown v. Peters, 1997 WL
599355, at *2-3 (N.D.N.Y.) aff’d without op., 175 F.3d 1007 (2d Cir. 1999). After the
appropriate review, “the court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or
recommendations made by the magistrate judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
2
The Clerk is directed to append Judge Homer's Report-Recommendation to this decision, and familiarity is
presumed. (Dkt. No. 33).
2
BACKGROUND
I.
The Amended Complaint3
At the relevant time, plaintiff was incarcerated at Great Meadow Correctional Facility
(“GMCF”) and Coxsackie Correctional Facility (“CSF”). Plaintiff is a Muslim of orthodox (or
Sunni) belief and practice. Two of the holy days observed by Muslims are the two ‘Eids (‘EidulFitr and ‘Eidul Adhaa). Both ‘Eids are observed similarly and include a special prayer, sermon, a
religious feast, family attendance and charitable acts to the poor. Family/guest attendance and
participation is an integral part of the ‘Eids. Plaintiff’s religion also obligates him to attend
weekly congregate services on Friday afternoons known as “Jum’ah”. Jum’ah services include a
religious sermon given by a Muslim Chaplain and a special prayer. At CSF, Jum’ah services are
regularly scheduled to occur on Friday afternoons in the gymnasium. Plaintiff regularly attended
such services while confined in the general population at CSF. Plaintiff also regularly attended
Islamic Studies (Ta’lim) classes on Saturday afternoons at CSF. Attendance at these classes was
on a “list basis” and prisoners would receive a “call out slip/pass”.
A.
Family/Guest Participation in the ‘Eids
From 1982 until December 2007, DOCCS officials accommodated family/guest
attendance and participation in the ‘Eids. In December 2007, plaintiff claims that officials,
“abruptly and without notice” limited the Muslim inmates to one family event per year.
Accordingly, only one of the ‘Eids could be celebrated with the family members/guests of the
inmates. Plaintiff alleges that no such limitations were placed on Native American services
which allows family participation. To wit, DOCCS continues to accommodate at least nine holy
In reviewing the amended complaint, as well as plaintiff's other submissions, the Court accepts as true all
factual allegations and draws all reasonable inferences in plaintiff's favor for purposes of the pending motion. See
ATSI Commc'n, Inc. v. Shaar Fund, Ltd., 493 F.3d 87, 98 (2d Cir. 2007).
3
3
days of Native American observance and allowed family/guest participation. Upon learning of
the change in policy, in December 2008 (while incarcerated at GMCF), plaintiff wrote a letter to
Commissioner Fischer regarding the “religious violations”.4 On January 15, 2009, defendant
Perlman5 responded to plaintiff’s letter advising plaintiff to file a formal grievance at the facility
level.6 In December 2008, plaintiff filed a grievance and submitted letters to DOCCS officials
seeking intervention. The Inmate Grievance Review Committee (“IGRC”) deadlocked on the
issue and plaintiff’s grievance was forwarded to the GMCF Superintendent. Superintendent
Williams denied plaintiff’s grievance noting:
per ministerial services7, Central Office allows one family event per
year, with the exception of the Native American faith group. A Native
American religious ceremony is observed with a family meal. The
other religions do not require a family meal as part of the religious
observance.
Plaintiff appealed this decision to the Central Office Review Committee (“CORC”).
CORC upheld the Superintendent’s denial.8 On January 20, 2009, plaintiff wrote a letter to
Perlman seeking to resume family participation in the ‘Eid holy days. Plaintiff received a
response to his letter to Perlman from Karen Bellamy, Director of the Inmate Grievance Program.
On January 31, 2009, plaintiff wrote a letter to the Commissioner regarding violations of his
religious rights. On March 9, 2009, plaintiff received a letter from Perlman which stated, “there
are no plans at the current time to reinstate two religious family events”.9
4
The letter is part of the record herein.
5
Perlman was Deputy Commissioner for Program Services for DOCCS.
6
The letter is part of the record herein.
7
Defendant Leonard was the Director of Family and Ministerial Services for DOCCS.
8
Plaintiff’s grievance, the IGRC response and the CORC decision are part of the record herein.
9
The letters are part of the record herein.
4
B.
Weekly Congregate Religious Services
In January 2009, plaintiff was transferred to CSF. In May 2009, plaintiff claims he was
harassed by his housing unit officer, C.O. Stevens.10 Plaintiff filed grievances against C.O.
Stevens and plaintiff alleges that as a result, C.O. Stevens issued plaintiff a misbehavior report for
non-compliance to cell standards.11 Plaintiff claims that, in CSF, once a prisoner is issued a
misbehavior report, the inmate is transferred from the general population to keeplock housing,
even for pre-hearing confinement. In this instance, however, plaintiff was not placed in keeplock
for Steven’s non-compliance report. Plaintiff claims that when Stevens realized that plaintiff was
not placed in keeplock, Stevens issued another misbehavior report claiming that plaintiff verbally
threatened him.12 After this report was issued, plaintiff was placed in keeplock pending a Tier 2
disciplinary proceeding. On August 1, 2009, plaintiff was found guilty of the violations and
placed in keeplock for 30 days until September 1, 2009.
DOCS Directive 4202 required inmates in keeplock to notify officials, in writing, upon
commencement of keeplock confinement, if the inmate wished to attend regularly scheduled
congregate religious services. Plaintiff admits that he did not file such a request to attend services
on the first Friday in August 2009 but that he filed three separate requests to attend services on
the remaining three Fridays in August 2009. Plaintiff addressed each of request to defendant
Martuscello. Martuscello was the Deputy Superintendent of Security at CSF and Acting
Superintendent in August 2009. Plaintiff alleges that Martuscello was, “responsible for either
deciding plaintiff’s requests to attend congregate religious services while on keeplock , or
10
Stevens is not a defendant.
11
The grievances and misbehavior report are not part of the record herein.
12
The misbehavior report is not part of the record herein.
5
designat[ing] a subordinate to so decide plaintiff’s requests”. Martuscello forwarded plaintiff’s
requests to defendant Shanley. Shanley was the Captain at CSF and Acting Deputy
Superintendent of Security in August 2009. Shanley denied plaintiff’s requests explaining that
plaintiff was given a misbehavior report for threats. Plaintiff claims that there was no further
explanation for the refusal to allow him to attend services.
Plaintiff wrote letters to Martuscello contending that Shanley’s denials were insufficient
and filed grievances regarding the denials. Plaintiff’s first grievance was denied. Plaintiff
appealed the denial to the Superintendent (Martuscello) who upheld the IGRC decision. CORC
affirmed the decision with regard to the first grievance. Plaintiff’s second grievance was accepted
by IGRC and CORC.13
C.
Saturday Religious Study
On February 6, 2010, while still incarcerated at CSF, plaintiff was scheduled to attend a
Ta’lim class at 12:30 p.m. Plaintiff received a call-out slip and his name was on the attendance
list. At that time, plaintiff was housed in the A-3 unit and his housing officers were C.O.
Saltsman and C.O Adams. At 12:30 p.m., plaintiff stopped Saltsman as he was passing plaintiff’s
cell to inform him of his “callout”. Saltsman reviewed the call out slip but did not release
plaintiff from his cell. Plaintiff also informed C.O. Adams of his call-out and while Adams
verbally acknowledged that studies were being held and did not dispute that plaintiff was
scheduled to attend, he did not release plaintiff. Plaintiff missed the religious studies class.
Plaintiff filed a grievance regarding the matter. Plaintiff claims he was interviewed regarding the
matter but his grievance was denied.14
13
Plaintiff’s requests, letters, Shanley’s denials, plaintiff’s grievances and appeals are not part of the record
14
Plaintiff’s grievance and the subsequent denial are not part of the record herein.
6
herein.
D.
Causes of Action
On January 7, 2011, plaintiff filed an amended complaint asserting eight causes of action
as follows: In Counts One, Two and Three, plaintiff claims that Perlman and Leonard violated his
rights to Equal Protection, his First Amendment rights and his right to free exercise of religion
pursuant to the RLUIPA because the DOCCS policy limited the number of annual religious
family events for Muslim prisoners while Native American inmates were allowed nine such
events. In
Counts Four and Five, plaintiff claims that Martuscello and Shanley violated his First
Amendment rights, his rights pursuant to the RLUIPA and his Fourteenth Amendment right to
Equal Protection when they refused to allow plaintiff to attend weekly religious services while
plaintiff was in keeplock. In Count Six, plaintiff alleges a state law claim against Martuscello for
negligent supervision. In Count Seven, plaintiff claims that Saltsman and Adams violated his
First Amendment rights and rights under the RLUIPA when they failed to allow him to attend
religious studies on February 6, 2010. In Count Eight, plaintiff alleges state law negligence
claims against Saltsman and Adams. (Dkt. No. 5).
II.
Report-Recommendation
On August 12, 2011, defendants moved to dismiss arguing: (1) that Perlman, Leonard and
Martuscello lacked personal involvement; (2) plaintiff’s religious claims against Martuscello,
Shanley, Saltsman and Adams should be dismissed for failure to state a claim; (3) the equal
protection claims against Martuscello and Shanley should be dismissed for failure to state a
7
claim; and (4) the negligence claims are barred by Corrections Law § 24.15 Plaintiff opposed the
motion and cross moved to amend the complaint.
On February 28, 2012, Magistrate Judge Homer recommended that the Court grant in part
and deny in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Magistrate Homer recommended that
defendants’ motion to dismiss be granted as to (1) plaintiff’s First Amendment and RLUIPA
claims against Martuscello and Shanley for denying plaintiff attendance at Friday religious
services; (2) plaintiff’s First Amendment and RLUIPA claims against Saltsman and Adams for
denying plaintiff attendance at Saturday religious study group; (3) plaintiff’s equal protection
claim against Martuscello and Shanley for precluding plaintiff and other keeplock inmates from
attending religious services; and (4) plaintiff’s negligence claims against Martuscello, Saltsman
and Adams. Magistrate Judge Homer also found that plaintiff did not establish personal
involvement on the part of Martuscello. Magistrate Judge Homer also recommended denying
plaintiff’s motion to amend. Plaintiff sought to add New York State as a defendant and
Magistrate Judge Homer reasoned that such an amendment would be futile under the Eleventh
Amendment.
III.
Objections
Both parties have objected to the Report-Recommendation. Defendants argue that Judge
Homer erred when he failed to dismiss all claims against Leonard due to lack of personal
involvement. Specifically, defendants object to the reliance upon exhibits attached to plaintiff’s
complaint as evidence of Leonard’s personal involvement. Plaintiff also objects to the Report-
15
Defendants did not move to dismiss plaintiff’s First Amendment claims, RLUIPA claims or Equal
Protection claims based upon the family guest attendance policy against Perlman and Leonard for failure to state a
claim. Rather, defendants relied solely on the “personal involvement” argument in support of dismissing Counts One,
Two and Three of the amended complaint.
8
Recommendation on various grounds. Plaintiff argues that Magistrate Judge Homer erred when
he found: (1) that Martuscello lacked personal involvement; (2) plaintiff’s religious rights were
not substantially burdened when he was denied the right to attend three consecutive Jum’ah
services; (3) defendants asserted a legitimate penological interest sufficient to defeat plaintiff’s
First Amendment claims and RLUIPA claims against Martuscello and Shanley; (4) plaintiff failed
to establish the necessary elements for a Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection claim against
Martuscello and Shanley.
DISCUSSION
I.
Standard on Motion to Dismiss
In a rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the court must accept as true all of the factual
allegations in the complaint, which is deemed to include any written instrument attached to the
complaint as an exhibit, any materials incorporated into it by reference, and any other documents
that are integral to it. See Sira v. Morton, 380 F.3d 57, 67 (2d Cir. 2004) (citations omitted).
Moreover, the court must draw all reasonable inferences from those factual allegations in the
plaintiff's favor. See Hayden v. Paterson, 594 F.3d 150, 160 (2d Cir.2010) (quotation omitted).
Although a court's review of a motion to dismiss is generally limited to the facts presented in the
pleading, the court may consider documents that are “integral” to that pleading, even if they are
neither physically attached to it nor incorporated by reference into the pleading. See Mangiafico
v. Blumenthal, 471 F.3d 391, 398 (2d Cir. 2006) (quoting Chambers v. Time Warner, Inc., 282
F.3d 147, 152–53 (2d Cir. 2002)).
So read, the complaint must include “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is
plausible on its face.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). A claim to relief is
9
plausible on its face “when the Plaintiff pleads fact[s] ... that allow[ ] the court to draw the
reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
556 U.S. 662 (2009) (citation omitted). When a dismissal is sought against a pro se litigant, the
court will afford the non-movant special solicitude. See Triestman v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 470
F.3d 471, 474 (2d Cir.2 006) (quotation and citations omitted). The submissions of a pro se
litigant are to be construed liberally and interpreted “to raise the strongest arguments that they
suggest.” Id. at 475 (internal quotation and citations omitted).
Courts are reluctant, “to dismiss [pro se] complaints at an early stage of the proceedings.
McEachin v. McGuinnis, 357 F.3d 197, 201 (2d Cir. 2004) (noting the difficulties attendant to
appellate proceedings where the defendant has not answered the plaintiff's allegations). The issue
at the dismissal stage “is not whether a plaintiff is likely to prevail ultimately, but whether the
claimant is entitled to offer evidence to support the claims.” Chance v. Armstrong, 143 F.3d 698,
701 (2d Cir.1998). Dismissal will only be granted by the court if it “appears beyond doubt that
plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim which would entitle him to relief.”
Branham v. Meachum, 77 F.3d 626, 628 (2d Cir. 1996). Here, defendants filed the motion to
dismiss but have not yet answered the amended complaint.
II.
Personal Involvement
Defendants moved to dismiss all claims against Perlman, Leonard and Martuscello based
upon lack of personal involvement. “[P]ersonal involvement of defendants in alleged
constitutional deprivations is a prerequisite to an award of damages under § 1983.” Wright v.
Smith, 21 F.3d 496, 501 (2d Cir. 1994) (internal quotation and citations omitted). “[W]hen
monetary damages are sought under § 1983, the [ ] doctrine of respondeat superior does not
10
suffice and a showing of some personal responsibility of the defendant is required.” Id.
(quotation omitted). There is a sufficient showing of personal responsibility of a defendant if (1)
the defendant directly participated in the alleged constitutional deprivation; (2) the defendant is a
supervisory official who failed to correct the wrong after learning about it through a report or
appeal; (3) the defendant is a supervisory official who created a policy or custom under which the
constitutional deprivation occurred, or allowed such a policy or custom to continue; or (4) the
defendant is a supervisory official that was grossly negligent in managing subordinates who
caused the constitutional deprivation. See Williams v. Smith, 781 F.2d 319, 323–24 (2d Cir.1986)
(citations omitted).
A.
Perlman16
In the amended complaint, plaintiff alleges that he received two letters from Perlman
dated January 15, 2009 and March 9, 2009 regarding the policy of limiting Muslim family events.
Plaintiff annexed both letters as exhibits to his correspondence. See Am. Cmplt., Exs. E and O.
Perlman also is the “approving authority” on Directive 4202 entitled Religious Programs and
Practices and the author of a Memorandum distributed to Superintendents and Deputy
Superintendents for Program Services regarding the Religious Calendar. See id. at Exs. P and S.
At this stage, plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts regarding Perlman’s involvement with the
alleged constitutional issues. The Court has reviewed Magistrate Judge Homer’s reasoning and
conclusions on this issue and finds no clear error. Accordingly, this portion of the ReportRecommendation is adopted and defendants’ motion to dismiss on this basis is denied.
16
Defendants do not object to the recommendation denying Perlman’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal
involvement.
11
B.
Leonard
Plaintiff alleges that he wrote to Leonard but did not receive a response from him.
Plaintiff also claims that Leonard, “personally told Sgt. D. Williams that amongst the reasons for
reducing family attendance accommodation from the [‘Eids] observance is that family
participation is not mandatory for it’s observance”. Pltf. Am. Cmplt. at para. 41. In support,
plaintiff annexed Superintendent Williams’ January 22, 2009 response to his grievance to his
amended complaint. Id. at Ex. I. As noted above, Williams denied plaintiff’s grievance after
consulting with Ministerial Services. At the relevant time, Leonard was the Director of
Ministerial Services. At this early stage, plaintiff has sufficiently alleged Leonard’s personal
involvement in the alleged constitutional violations. Pugh v. Goord, 571 F.Supp.2d 477, 514
(S.D.N.Y. 2008) (the plaintiff sufficiently alleged personal involvement on the part of defendant
Leonard as personally involved in the denial of separate services to Shi'ites because he made
“certain contributions” to “formulation of policy,” despite the fact that he was not “the ultimate
authority.”) Accordingly, the Court adopts this portion of the Report-Recommendation and
denies Leonard’s motion to dismiss due to lack of personal involvement.
C.
Martuscello
Plaintiff allege that Martuscello was personally involved in his constitutional violations
because he: (1) failed to respond to plaintiff’s letters, (2) forwarded plaintiff’s requests to
Shanley, (3) denied plaintiff’s grievances; and (4) was in a position in the chain of command.
Magistrate Judge Homer found that plaintiff’s allegations were insufficient to establish personal
involvement. Plaintiff objects to Magistrate Judge Homer’s findings arguing that Martuscello,
“had the ability to remedy the wrongs now complained of although such wrongs occurred by his
subordinate” and that he, “allowed the offending conduct to continue without any action upon
12
plaintiff’s complaints”. Moreover, plaintiff claims that when Martuscello was Deputy
Superintendent of Security, he maintained the custom of, “not allowing keeplocked inmate
attendance at religious service, in an arbitrary and blanketed fashion”. Finally, plaintiff alleges
that Martuscello was, “placed on notice and failed to act in any way . . . simply allowed the
violations to continue to occur”. See Pl. Obj. at p. 2-3.
While allegations of Martuscello’s failure to respond to plaintiff’s letters, his denial of
grievances and his position in the chain of command are insufficient to establish personal
involvement, liberally construing the amended complaint, plaintiff has also alleged that
Martuscello created an unconstitutional policy, or at least allowed such a policy to continue. This
suffices to state a claim against Martuscello as the individual within GMCF for creating and
continuing department-wide policies. See Williams, 781 F.2d at 321. Defendants' motion to
dismiss plaintiff’s federal claims against Martuscello due to lack of personal involvement is
denied.
III.
Claims Against Martuscello and Shanley
In Counts Four and Five, plaintiff alleges that Martuscello and Shanley violated his rights
under the RLUIPA, the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment when they refused to
allow plaintiff to attend three consecutive Friday services while in keeplock.
A.
First Amendment
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to free
exercise of religion. U.S. Const. Amend. I Inmates are guaranteed the right to participate in
congregate religious services under most circumstances. See, e.g., Salahuddin v. Coughlin, 993
F.2d 306, 308 (2d Cir.1993) (citing cases). To assess a free exercise claim, a court must
13
determine (1) whether the practice asserted is religious in the person's scheme of beliefs, and
whether the belief is sincerely held; (2) whether the challenged practice of the prison officials
infringes upon the religious belief; and (3) whether the challenged practice of the prison officials
furthers some legitimate penological objective. Farid v. Smith, 850 F.2d 917, 925 -926 (2d Cir.
1988). Here, defendants do not claim that plaintiff’s beliefs are not sincerely held.
“[A] prisoner mounting a free-exercise challenge must show at the threshold that the
disputed conduct substantially burdens his sincerely held religious beliefs.” Salahuddin, 467 F.3d
at 274–75. In order to be considered a “substantial burden,” the plaintiff “must demonstrate that
the government's action pressure[d] him to commit an act forbidden by his religion or prevent[ed]
him from engaging in conduct or having a religious experience mandated by his faith.” Smith v.
Artus, 2010 WL 3910086, at *11 (N.D.N.Y. 2010) (citing Muhammad v. City of New York Dep't
of Corr., 904 F.Supp. 161, 188 (S.D.N.Y.1995) (citations omitted)). The burden must be more
than an inconvenience, it must substantially interfere with a tenet or belief that is central to the
religious doctrine. Id. (citing Jones v. Shabazz, 352 F. App’x 910, 913 (5th Cir.2009) (holding
that a “government action or regulation only creates a substantial burden on a religious exercise if
it truly pressures an adherent to significantly modify his religious behavior and significantly
violate his religious beliefs”)).
Once plaintiff establishes this burden, “[t]he defendants then bear the relatively limited
burden of identifying the legitimate penological interests that justify the impinging conduct.”
Salahuddin, 467 F.3d at 308 (the right of prison inmates to exercise their religious beliefs is
subject to valid penological concerns, including those relating to institutional security). Once
defendants carry this burden of production, “the burden remains with the prisoner to show that
these articulated concerns were irrational.” Id. A determination of whether the refusal to permit
14
attendance at a religious service is "one of reasonableness, taking into account whether the
particular [act] affecting [the] constitutional right ... is ‘reasonably related to legitimate
penological interests.' " Benjamin v. Coughlin, 905 F.2d 571, 574 (2d Cir. 1990) “The law is
well established that a generally applicable policy will not be held to violate a [prisoner's] right to
free exercise of religion if that policy is reasonably related to legitimate penological interests.”
Hall v. Ekpe, 408 F. App’x 385, 387-388 (2d Cir. 2010) (citing cases). When determining
whether the burden imposed by the defendants is reasonable rather than irrational, a court
evaluates four factors: (1) whether the action had “a valid, rational connection to a legitimate
governmental objective”; (2) whether the prisoner has an “alternative means of exercising the
burdened right”; (3) “the impact on guards, inmates, and prison resources of accommodating the
right”; and (4) “the existence of alternative means of facilitating [the plaintiff's] exercise of the
right that have only a de minimis adverse effect on valid penological interests.” Salahuddin, 467
F.3d at 274 (citing Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 90-91 (1987)).
Here, plaintiff claims that while in keeplock, plaintiff requested and was denied access to
three consecutive Friday services. Defendants argue that this “limited deprivation” did not
substantially burden plaintiff’s religious exercise. On a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the Court accepts
the allegations of the complaint as true and draws all inferences in favor of plaintiff. At this
stage, the Court finds that plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts to establish that missing three
consecutive Jum’ah services while housed in keeplock substantially burdens his right to attend
congregate religious services. See Salahuddin, 993 F.2d at 308 (2d Cir.1993) (noting prisoners
have a constitutional right to participate in congregate religious services); see also Smith v. Artus,
2010 WL 3910086, at *12 (N.D.N.Y. 2010).
15
Defendants claim, without evidentiary support, that Shanley had a legitimate penological
interest for denying plaintiff’s requests. Defendants assert, “Shanley checked off two boxes on
the DOCCS form and wrote that ‘plaintiff [w]as given a misbehavior report for threats”.
However, defendants did not annex the DOCCS form to their motion to dismiss. Moreover, the
motion does not contain an affidavit from Shanley or any other defendant. Defendants present
nothing more than the assertions of counsel in the memorandum of law in support of their
“legitimate interest”. As noted previously, the record does not contain any documentary evidence
regarding this issue including plaintiff’s requests or Shanley’s denials. Defendants' suggestion
in their memorandum of law that security concerns prompted them to deny plaintiff's requests to
attend religious services is “outside the record and devoid of evidentiary support.” Samuels v.
Stone, 1999 WL 624549, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. 1999) (“[a]lthough defendants may ultimately proffer a
reasonable justification for depriving plaintiff of the right to attend religious services”, the Court
must await a more developed factual record). It is error to assume that prison officials were
justified in limiting plaintiff’s First Amendment rights simply because he was in disciplinary
confinement. LaReau v. MacDougall, 473 F.2d 974, 979, n. 9 (2d Cir. 1972). On a motion to
dismiss, plaintiff is afforded every reasonable inference. It is incumbent upon prison officials to
make a showing establishing whether officials had a reasonable basis for limiting the inmates
participation in religious services. Young v. Coughlin, 866 F.2d 567, 570 (2d Cir. 1989) (citing
Mawhinney v. Henderson, 542 F.2d 1, 3 (2d Cir. 1976) (an evidentiary hearing is necessary)).
Without such evidence, the prison officials are not entitled to dismissal, at this juncture. See id.
(the district court should not have dismissed the plaintiff’s first amendment claim without
requiring prisons officials to establish the basis for the restrictions imposed). Accordingly, the
Court finds that plaintiff has stated a plausible claim for a First Amendment violation.
16
While defendants assert that plaintiff’s claims are “conclusory”, the Court disagrees. In a
case with similar factual and legal issues, the Second Circuit held:
[W]e believe that [the plaintiff’s] pleadings were sufficiently clear and
specific to state a claim for which relief might be granted. The district
court’s ruling that [the] allegations were “conclusory” simply is not
supported by a review of [the plaintiff’s] complaint and moving
papers. [The plaintiff] clearly states that . . . he was precluded from
attending religious services, classes, and any of the activities
associated with the celebration of Ramadan, because of his placement
in the limited privilege program, and his subsequent placement in
punitive keeplock. We do not believe that these allegations can be
characterized as ambiguous or conclusory.
Young, 866 F.2d at 570.
In a case in this District with similar facts, on a motion to dismiss, Magistrate Judge
Peebles concluded:
While [ ] it may ultimately be found, based upon a more fully
developed record, that this claim is legally deficient, in that plaintiff's
allegations fail to establish an infringement of constitutional
proportions upon his free exercise rights, and that the denials were
proper based upon legitimate penological concerns, it is premature at
this juncture, giving plaintiff the benefit of all inferences, to find as a
matter of law that plaintiff cannot establish any set of facts sufficient
to support a free exercise claim. I therefore recommend denial of
defendants' motion to dismiss this cause of action.
Gill v. Hoadley, 261 F.Supp.2d 113, 124 (N.D.N.Y. 2003). For these reasons, defendants’ motion
to dismiss plaintiff’s First Amendment claims based upon the denial of plaintiff’s requests to
attend services while in keeplock is denied.
B.
RLUIPA
RLUIPA “protects institutionalized persons who are unable freely to attend to their
religious needs and are therefore dependent on the government's permission and accommodation
for exercise of their religion.” Cutter v. Wilkinson, 544 U.S. 709, 723 (2005). RLUIPA provides
that “[n]o government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person
17
residing in or confined to an institution . . . unless the government demonstrates that imposition
of the burden on that person (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is
the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.” 42 U.S.C. §
2000cc–1(a). The principles applicable to the analysis of plaintiff's First Amendment free
exercise claim are similar to those applicable to the potential RLUIPA cause of action, although
the two claims are analyzed under somewhat different frameworks. Griffin v. Alexander, 2011
WL 4402119, at *8-10 (N.D.N.Y. 2011) (citing Salahuddin, 467 F.3d at 274). “To establish a
violation of the RLUIPA a plaintiff must prove that prison officials, through their actions, have
substantially burdened his or her religious exercise through actions not found to promote a
compelling governmental interest advanced through the least restrictive means.” Id. (citation
omitted). “The RLUIPA places a higher burden on the defendants than does the First
Amendment, which requires only a burden that is reasonably related to legitimate penological
interests". Id.
In support of the motion to dismiss these claims, defendants present the same arguments
asserted in support of dismissal of the First Amendment claims. Magistrate Judge Homer
recommended dismissing plaintiff’s RLUIPA claims noting that the allegations failed to establish
that defendants’ actions were not supported by a legitimate penological interest or that the actions
substantially burdened his practices. As discussed above, the Court finds, at this stage of the
litigation, that plaintiff has set forth allegations that sufficiently allege a First Amendment
violation. For the same reasons, plaintiff has sufficiently plead a claim under RLUIPA. Thus,
defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s RLUIPA claims as they relate to the denial of plaintiff’s
requests to attend services while in keeplock is denied.
18
C.
Equal Protection
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides in relevant part
that “nor [shall any State] deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws.” U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1. “In the context of prison regulations or the activity of prison
guards which allegedly infringe an inmate's right to practice his or her religion, a complaint
alleging a violation of the Equal Protection Clause requires an allegation that a particular group or
class of individuals has been treated differently from others within the institution.” See Benjamin,
905 F.2d at 575 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 951 (1990). To establish an equal protection
claim, plaintiff must show the existence of a similarly situated group who has been treated
differently than plaintiff. Brown v. City of Oneonta, 911 F. Supp 580, 587, modified 106 F.3d
1125 (2d Cir. 1997). Once having defined the appropriate class, plaintiffs must then demonstrate
that they were treated differently than other people in the same class. Pal v. Albany County Dep’t
of Soc. Servcs., 1992 WL 75046, at *5 (N.D.N.Y. 1992); see Giano v. Senkowski, 54 F.3d 1050,
1057 (2d Cir.1995) (to prove a violation of the Equal Protection Clause, a plaintiff must
demonstrate that he or she was treated differently than others similarly situated as a result of
intentional or purposeful discrimination directed at an identifiable or suspect class).
Plaintiff alleges that Martuscello and Shanley violated his equal protection rights, “by
excluding all disciplinary keeplocked prisoners from attending weekly congregate religious
services”. Plaintiff alleges that defendants failed to offer disciplinary keeplocked prisoners equal
protection of the law with regard to their religious observances”. Even construing plaintiff’s
complaint liberally, plaintiff has not alleged how he was treated differently than others similarly
situated. Plaintiff has alleged that as a keeplocked prisoner, he was treated differently than the
general population. However, inmates in the general population are not “similarly situated” to
19
plaintiff. Williams v. Bailey, 2010 WL 3881024, at *2 (N.D.N.Y. 2010) (the primary difference
between keeplock and the general population confinement conditions is that keeplocked inmates
do not leave their cells for out-of-cell programs, and are usually allowed less time out of their
cells on the weekends.); Gittens v. LeFevre, 891 F.2d 38, 39 (2d Cir.1989) (keeplock is a form of
confinement restricting an inmate to his or her cell, separating the inmate from others and
depriving him or her of participation in normal prison activities.); McDowell v. Gates, 2009 WL
3055270, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. 2009) (keeplock segregates an inmate from other inmates in the general
population of a prison and denies the inmate normal prison activities). Accordingly, defendants’
motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ equal protection claim as it relates to his denial to attend services
while in keeplock is granted.
IV.
Claims Against Saltsman and Adams
Plaintiff alleges that Saltsman and Adams violated his First Amendment rights and his
rights under the RLUIPA when they failed to take him to one meeting of a Saturday religious
study group. Plaintiff objects to the portion of Magistrate Judge Homer's
Report-Recommendation which stated, "Smith also contends that Saltsman and Adams violated
his First Amendment rights when the failed to take him from keeplock to one meeting of a
Saturday religious study group". Plaintiff claims that at that time, he was in the general
population and not confined to keeplock. The record supports plaintiff's argument. However,
that fact does not substantively impact Magistrate Judge Homer's conclusions or the analysis
herein.
Regardless of where plaintiff was housed, courts in this Circuit have consistently held that
missing one or two religious service(s) does not constitute a substantial burden on an inmate's
20
right to the free exercise of his religion. Gill v. DeFrank, 8 F. App’x 35, 37 (2d Cir. 2001); Smith
v. Graziano, 2010 WL 1330019, at *9 (N.D.N.Y. 2010); Hankins v. NYS Dep’t of Corr. Servcs.,
2008 WL 2019655, at *5, n. 42 (N.D.N.Y. 2008) (collecting cases).
Upon review, the Court finds no clear error or manifest injustice and adopts this portion of
the Report and Recommendation. Accordingly, plaintiff’s seventh cause of action is dismissed.
V.
State Law Claims17
Section 24(1) of the New York State Correction Law provides in pertinent part:
No civil action shall be brought in any court of the state, except by the
attorney general on behalf of the state, against any officer or employee
of the department [of corrections], in his personal capacity, for
damages arising out of any act done or the failure to perform any act
within the scope of the employment and in the discharge of the duties
by such officer or employee.
N.Y. Corr. Law § 24(1). The statutory protection has been provided to permit correction officers
to perform the demanding task of maintaining safety and security within correctional facilities
“undeterred by the fear of personal liability and vexatious suits, which could substantially impair
the effective performance of a discretionary function.” Ierardi v. Sisco, 119 F.3d 183, 187 (2d
Cir. 1997).
Upon review, the Court finds no clear error or manifest injustice and adopts this portion of
the Report and Recommendation. Accordingly, plaintiff’s sixth and eighth causes of action are
dismissed.
17
Plaintiff does not object to this portion of Magistrate Judge Homer’s Report-Recommendation.
21
VI.
Plaintiff’s Motion to Amend18
Plaintiff cross moved to amend the complaint to add New York State as a defendant.
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution bars federal courts from exercising
subject matter jurisdiction over claims against states absent their consent to such a suit or an
express statutory waiver of immunity. See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S.
89, 90–100 (1984). It is well-settled that states are not “persons” under section 1983 and,
therefore, that statute does not abrogate a state's Eleventh Amendment immunity. See Will v.
Mich. Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). Accordingly, the Court finds no clear error
or manifest injustice and adopts this portion of the Report-Recommendation.
CONCLUSION
It is hereby
ORDERED that the Report and Recommendation by United States Magistrate Judge
David R. Homer (Dkt. No. 33) is rejected in part and accepted in part for the reasons set forth
herein; and it is further
ORDERED that defendant Perlman and Leonard’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims
(Dkt. No. 24) due to lack of personal involvement is DENIED; it is further
ORDERED that defendant Martuscello’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims (Dkt. No.
24) due to lack of personal involvement is DENIED ; it is further
ORDERED, that defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s First Amendment claims and
RLUIPA claims against Martuscello and Shanley (Dkt. No. 24) is DENIED;
18
Plaintiff does not object to this portion of the Report-Recommendation. On March 13, 2012, plaintiff filed
a motion to amend the complaint. (Dkt. No. 37). That motion is not before the Court.
22
ORDERED, that defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s Equal Protection claims
against Martuscello and Shanley (Dkt. No. 24) is GRANTED;
ORDERED, that defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s First Amendment and RLUIPA
claims against defendants Saltsman and Adams (Dkt. No. 24) is GRANTED; and it is further
ORDERED, that defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s state law claims against
Martuscello (Dkt. No. 24) is GRANTED; it is
ORDERED, that defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s negligence claims against
Saltsman and Adams (Dkt. No. 24) is GRANTED; it is further
ORDERED, that plaintiff’s cross-motion to amend the complaint (Dkt. No. 27) is
DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: March 19, 2012
Albany, New York
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