Daniels, Sr. v. Core Civic Corporation et al

Filing 59

Report and Recommendation on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF Doc. 46 ). I recommend the District Court grant Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and dismiss this case in its entirety. Objections to Report & Recommendation due by 10/9/2024. Magistrate Judge Reuben J. Sheperd on 9/25/2024. (D,JJ)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISON
GARY E. DANIELS, SR.,

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Plaintiff,
v.
CORECIVIC, INC., ET AL.,
Defendants.

I.

CASE NO. 1:22-cv-01373-DCN
DISTRICT JUDGE DONALD C. NUGENT
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
REUBEN J. SHEPERD
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction
Before the Court is a motion for summary judgment filed by Defendants CoreCivic, Inc.

(“CoreCivic”), Shannon Swanson, M.D. (“Dr. Swanson”), and Warden Douglas Fender
(“Warden Fender”) (collectively, “Defendants”). (ECF Doc. 46). Because there are no genuine
issues of material fact, I recommend the District Court grant Defendants’ motion for summary
judgment.
II.

Procedural History
On August 2, 2022, Plaintiff Gary E. Daniels, Sr. (“Daniels”), then proceeding pro se,

filed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action in this Court. (ECF Doc. 1). He filed an amendment to this
complaint on January 2, 2023 to reflect a corrected name for Defendant CoreCivic. (ECF Doc.
11).

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On February 9, 2023, Daniels requested, and on July 28, 2023, was appointed pro bono
counsel. (ECF Docs. 23, 25; non-document entry of July 28, 2023). On September 29, 2023, now
proceeding with counsel, Daniels filed a First Amended Complaint against all defendants in the
case. (ECF Doc. 27). In it, he (1) alleged a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for failing to timely
treat his enlarged prostate, which later developed into prostate cancer, violating his right to be
free from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment (id. at ¶¶ 33-37); (2)
sought a permanent injunction ordering Defendants Core Civic and Dr. Swanson to seasonably
address inmates’ serious medical needs without unnecessary delay (id. at ¶¶ 38-43); and (3)
sought a declaratory judgment under 28 U.S.C. § 2201 against all defendants (id. at ¶¶ 44-48).
On July 8, 2023, Defendant Annette Chambers-Smith filed a motion to dismiss (ECF
Doc. 33), with Daniels agreeing with the dismissal on December 5, 2023 (ECF Doc. 35), and the
Magistrate Judge issuing a report and recommendation that she be dismissed on December 27,
2023 (ECF Doc. 36). On January 18, 2024, the District Judge adopted the report and
recommendation, and Defendant Chambers-Smith was dismissed. (ECF Docs. 39, 40).
On April 2, 2024, the matter was reassigned and referred to me for general pretrial
supervision, including preparation of a Report and Recommendation on any dispositive motions.
(Non-document entry of April 2, 2024). On April 3, 2024, Daniels’ pro bono counsel moved to
withdraw from his case (ECF Doc. 44), which I granted on April 9, 2024 (ECF Doc. 45).
On May 6, 2024, the remaining Defendants filed the present motion for summary
judgment. (ECF Doc. 46). Daniels filed a brief in opposition, which was received on May 20,
2024. (ECF Doc. 48). Defendants filed a reply on June 4, 2024. (ECF Doc. 50).

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III.

Factual Background 1
Daniels is a prisoner of the State of Ohio in the custody of the Ohio Department of

Corrections and is currently confined in Lake Erie Correctional Institution (“LaECI”), run by
private prison corporation, CoreCivic. (Compl., ECF Doc. 27, ¶¶ 6, 9). Defendant Fender is the
Warden of LaECI, and is responsible for its operation and the welfare of its inmates. (Id. at ¶ 8).
Dr. Swanson is responsible for the medical care of the inmates housed at LaECI. (Id. at ¶ 10).
Central to this case is Daniels’s enlarged prostate, which he alleges was not treated in a
timely manner, causing him to develop prostate cancer and suffer continuing injury, amounting
to a violation of the Eighth Amendment. (Id. at ¶¶ 2, 3).
In June 2016, 2 Daniels began complaining of low urinary symptoms. (ECF Doc. 46-2,
CC-DANIELS000053-54). He was referred to urologist Mark Cabelin, M.D., at the Ashtabula
County Medical Center, and underwent a urodynamic and uroflow study on August 2, 2016. (Id.
at CC-DANIELS000061-66). The study revealed he had obstructive and irritative urinary
symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. (Dr. Howard Tay Affidavit, ECF Doc. 46-5, p. 5).
Prior to his retirement, Dr. Cabelin prescribed Flomax (alpha blocker) and Detrol
(anticholinergic), as well as recommended conducting an MRI, with the possibility of a potential
TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and biopsy. (Id.; see also ECF Doc. 46-2 at CC-

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The parties have not submitted stipulated facts to the Court. Therefore, the facts recited here are
those presented by the parties in their briefings.
2
Daniels presents his medical treatment claim as one sounding in the Eighth Amendment’s
prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, which generally forecloses a medical malpractice
claim. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976). Nonetheless, to the extent that Daniels
asserts a medical malpractice claim against Defendants, such a claim must be brought within
four years after the occurrence of the act or omission constituting the alleged basis of the medical
claim. Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113(C). Daniels filed his Complaint on August 4, 2022; therefore,
any claim accruing before August 4, 2018 is time-barred. Facts presented from before this period
are provided for completeness.
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DANIELS000069-70). Daniels did not wish to take the Flomax and Detrol because he did not
want to mask anything before getting full test results, and he wished to discuss his case with the
new urologist prior to any procedure. (ECF Doc. 46-2, CC-DANIELS000069-70). On August 3,
2016, he was seen by Dr. Swanson while at LaECI for review of his bladder function testing; he
had a current workup for an elevated PSA (prostate specific antigen) of 9.8. (Id. at CCDANIELS000058-60).
On August 16, 2016, Daniels underwent an MRI of the pelvis which confirmed an
enlarged prostate (4.9 x 4 x 4 cm), and a 0.6 cm lesion in the left mid posterolateral peripheral
zone, and other findings suspicious for prostatitis elsewhere in the peripheral zone. (Id. at CCDANIELS000112-115).
On October 21, 2016, Daniels attended an appointment with Carrie Aiken, CNP at LaECI
for follow up on his hypertension. (ECF Doc. 46-2, CC-DANIELS000109). NP Aiken noted that
Daniels continued to have lower urinary tract symptoms despite consistently taking Flomax and
Detrol. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000109-111). Daniel complained of nausea on these medications
and NP Aiken recommended taking them with food. (Id.). She referred Daniels for follow up
with urologist Dr. Zippe and recommended continued medication compliance. (Id.) NP Aiken
also ordered lab work, which on October 25, 2016 revealed a PSA of 5.8. (Id. at CCDANIELS000100).
A pelvic MRI performed on October 31, 2016 revealed that his prostate size was 5.4 x 4.0
x 4.1 cm, corresponding to a volume of approximately 42 cc. Likely prostatitis was noted in the

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peripheral zone, and there was a lesion noted in the left mid posterolateral peripheral zone
laterally. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000130-32).
On November 2, 2016, Daniels met with Dr. Swanson for post-MRI follow up. (Id. at
CC-DANIELS000133-35). He complained of severe side effects from the Flomax and Detrol and
discontinued both medications. (Id.). Dr. Swanson noted that Daniels had follow up with urology
scheduled. (Id.). Daniels returned for another appointment with NP Aiken on November 16,
2016, complaining of continued urinary incontinence. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000140-41). NP
Aiken recommended he restart Detrol and confirmed the upcoming urology consult. (Id.).
Daniels returned to NP Aiken on December 12, 2016, again complaining of urinary incontinence.
(Id. at CC-DANIELS000149-50). NP Aiken again reminded him to restart Detrol and Flomax
and ordered lab work. (Id.). Lab results from December 15, 2016 revealed a PSA of 6.3. (Id. at
CC-DANIELS000146).
On January 4, 2017, Daniels met with urologist, Craig Zippe, M.D., for evaluation of his
elevated PSA levels. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000178-81). Dr. Zippe recommended a prostate
biopsy, including taking the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000178). Daniels
refused to take the ciprofloxacin on February 27, 2017 as recorded in a refusal of medication
form. 3 (Id. at CC-DANIELS000207). He also refused to complete the biopsy as recorded on a
March 15, 2017 Release of Responsibility form. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000210). The form states
Daniels refused to go to the appointment, stating “tell him [urologist] I’m not coming.” (Id.). It
also states that Daniels was informed of and understood the risks of refusing treatment:
“Elevated PSA may be [the] result of prostate cancer and may lead to death., IM verbalizes

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Daniels did not sign the release of responsibility form. On the signature line, it states “Pt
refuses to sign ‘I’m not signing anything.’ ‘I’m not going.’ Witnessed by ALP and Nurse.” (ECF
Doc. 46-2, CC-DANIELS000210).
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understanding but refuses to sign ‘Release of Responsibility’ for myself because he already
signed for nursing staff at 5:30am.” (Id.).
Routine lab work continued to reveal elevated PSA levels, with tests conducted on
August 9, 2017 revealing a PSA of 6.8; November 8, 2017 revealing a PSA of 5.9; April 16,
2018 revealing a PSA of 7.8; and September 11, 2018 revealing a PSA of 6.8. (Id. at CCDANIELS000237, 295, 355, 412).
On September 19, 2018, Daniels attended an appointment with Dr. Swanson for follow
up of his elevated PSA. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000414-15). Dr. Swanson noted Daniels had
several findings of elevated PSAs and that he was scheduled for a prostate biopsy several years
ago but had declined. (Id.). Dr. Swanson indicated Daniels was agreeable to a prostate ultrasound
at that time. (Id.). At a three-month routine appointment on October 23, 2018, Zorka Gedeon,
CNP, noted Daniels’s elevated PSA levels, indicated he was on Hytrin for his prostate issues, and
that he had been on Flomax but refused that medication due to side effects. (Id. at CCDANIELS000419-22). NP Gedeon recounted the following:
We again revisited the issue of the chronic elevation in PSA and he says he will still
refuse any urology consult/biopsy even if his PSA goes up, I explained to him that
this could be prostate cancer and he states that he does not care. It looks like Dr.
Swanson ordered an ultrasound recently which he also states that he will refuse. I
explained that if this is cancer that he could die and he states “I’m going to die
eventually anyway.”
(Id. at CC-DANIELS000419). On October 31, 2018, Dr. Swanson recorded that Daniels was
taken in for the prostate ultrasound he had agreed to undergo the month before, but that he
refused the ultrasound upon arrival to medical. He stated he had changed his mind, and he
verbalized understanding of the risks. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000427-28). Release of
Responsibility forms dated October 31, 2018 indicate Daniels refused the ultrasound despite

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being informed of risks including increased PSA, prostate cancer, and death. 4 (Id. at CCDANIELS000425-26).
Lab work from April 5, 2019 indicated increased PSA of 7.7. (Id. at CCDANIELS000486). At follow up on April 13, 2019, NP Aiken noted Daniels was not taking his
prostate medication and continued to have elevated PSA levels. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000488).
After discussion, Daniels stated he wished to see the urologist and undergo testing; NP Aiken
advised him she would order a consult. (Id.). On June 6, 2019, Daniels met with urologist
Thomas Picklow, M.D., who prescribed Proscar and recommended a prostate biopsy due to
prostate cancer risk. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000506-08). Daniels was agreeable to the prostate
biopsy. (Id.). A handwritten note stating “if PSA is normal no biopsy needed. Will try Proscar for
30 days, then recheck PSA” is included at the bottom of the visit record. (Id.). Later testing
revealed lowered PSA levels of 6.4 on July 15, 2019 (id. at CC-DANIELS000534), 3.3 on
October 7, 2019 (id. at CC-DANIELS000565), and 4.2 on October 14, 2019 (id. at CCDANIELS000584-85).
At an April 21, 2020 visit with NP Aiken, it appears Daniels continued to take Proscar
daily. (Id.at CC-DANIELS000757-761). November 24, 2020 treatment notes indicate Daniels
was started on Terazosin 2 mg by Dr. Swanson starting on October 9, 2020. (Id. at CCDANIELS000819). However, in 2021, Daniels again began to have elevated PSA levels, with

The forms indicate Daniels refused to sign the Release of Responsibility forms. (ECF Doc. 462, CC-DANIELS000425-26).
4

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labs on March 9, 2021 revealing a PSA of 5.9, and September 7, 2021 revealing a PSA of 8.8.
(Id. at CC-DANIELS000881, 1071).
On September 11, 2021, Dr. Swanson referred Daniels to a urologist for his elevated PSA
levels and on October 25, 2021, Daniels was evaluated by urologist Rashed Ghandour, M.D. (Id.
at CC-DANIELS001124-25). Dr. Ghandour reviewed Daniels’s symptoms and elevated PSA
levels, and recommended a prostate MRI, restarting Flomax, and discontinuing Terazosin
(Hytrin), with follow up in eight weeks to discuss potential biopsy depending on the results of
the MRI. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001118-21, 1134). A December 23, 2021 prostate MRI revealed a
prostate weight of 40 gms and bilateral diffuse PI-RADS 2 category changes with an 8 mm PIRADS 3 category lesion in the left mid peripheral zone. (ECF Doc. 46-3 at CCDANIELS001167-68).
Labs from January 2022 revealed a PSA of 9.9. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001398). On
February 15, 2022, Daniels underwent a prostate biopsy, which revealed adenocarcinoma of the
prostate involving both lobes. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001272-74). On March 7, 2022, Dr.
Ghandour reviewed the biopsy results indicating Gleason 7 prostate cancer and discussed
available treatments, including active surveillance, surgical removal of the prostate, and radiation
therapy. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001277). Daniels verbalized understanding of his options and
elected to proceed with a consultation for radiation therapy. (Id.).
On March 28, 2022, Daniels was evaluated by radiation oncologist, Nicholas Zaorsky,
M.D., M.S., who reviewed Daniels’s history and treatment options; ultimately Dr. Zaorsky
recommended external beam radiation therapy and obtaining a total body bone scan to further
evaluate disease progression. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001429-36). He also recommended Daniels
consider transurethral resection of the prostate prior to starting radiation therapy. (Id. at CC-

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DANIELS001435). The total body bone scan performed on April 11, 2022 revealed no evidence
of osseous metastatic disease. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001706-08).
Daniels received external beam radiation therapy beginning on May 4, 2022. (Id. at CCDANIELS001846-002299, ECF Doc. 46-4, CC-DANIELS2300-2386). He received daily
treatments, Monday through Friday. (See, e.g., ECF Doc. 46-3 at CC-DANIELS001861). He was
noted to be feeling well and doing well with his radiation treatment. (See, e.g., id.). He
complained of minor side effects, including feeling a burning sensation from the radiation
therapy, urinary issues, and hip pain. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001941, 2014, 2232 and ECF Doc.
46-4, CC-DANIELS002421). Daniels completed his radiation treatment on May 27, 2022. (ECF
Doc. 46-4, CC-DANIELS002376-78).
A routine blood test on September 19, 2022 revealed a PSA of 0.1. (ECF Doc. 46-4, CCDANIELS002432). On September 28, 2022, NP Aiken noted that radiation/oncology felt that
Daniels no longer needed follow up with their office and recommended monitoring PSA levels
every six months. (Id. at CC-DANIELS002448). At an October 3, 2022 visit, Dr. Swanson
placed Daniels’s prostate cancer in remission and recommended continuing to follow PSA levels.
(Id. at CC-DANIELS002447). On November 3, 2022, Daniels received a 6 month-dose of
Lupron (androgen deprivation therapy) for the continued treatment of his prostate cancer. (Id. at
CC-DANIELS002465).
Defendants present an affidavit from urologist Howard P. Tay, M.D., F.A.C.S. (ECF Doc.
46-5). After reviewing the medical record, Dr. Tay asserts the care provided to Daniels was
within the standard of care regarding the following conditions: elevated PSA, prostate
enlargement along with lower urinary tract voiding symptoms, and prostate carcinoma. (Id. at p.
8). In Dr. Tay’s opinion, Daniels received timely and appropriate care, and received appropriate

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consultations as to his treatment options. (Id.). According to Dr. Tay, based on the metastatic
workup for Daniels’s prostate cancer, there were no signs that the cancer was in an advanced
stage; it is speculative that an earlier biopsy would have changed his prognosis. (Id.).
Daniels, for his part, does not provide specifics as to any facts contained in his medical
record. Rather, in his objection to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, he states, “I read
the care I got and I can’t say too much, but I ask the Court to Debunk-expose the false statements
[and] allow[] this evidence be used for a jury trial as well.” (ECF Doc. 48, p. 1). And in a
document titled “medication plan” dated June 10, 2024, Daniels presents the following: Dr.
Swanson tried several different medications to decrease the size of his enlarged prostate, but all
had an intolerable effect on his system. (ECF Doc. 51, p. 1). The size of his prostate would
decrease with medication, and increase when he had to stop the medications. (Id.). He wished to
know with certainty if his enlarged prostate had cancer or not, and contends that Dr. Swanson is
responsible for the false statements contained in his medical history. (Id. at pp. 1-2).
I also note that on June 8, 2022, Daniels submitted an internal grievance regarding the
delay in care for his prostate. (ECF Doc. 46-6). In it, he states that he was told by multiple
officers that the long delay when he was scheduled for the first biopsy was because Ashtabula
Medical Center stopped accepting inmates from LaECI due to it not paying its medical bills on
time. (Id. at p. 2). His grievance included the following statements: “ough [sic] time to put all the
truth in in one session! this is about core civic delayiny serst medcial [sic] condition that cause
cancer in my Prostate in 2017 from ASTABULA MEDICAL CENTER. see Complaint #0622000
786, 789, 792. stg ALLEN AND SGT. SLEBODNICK WERE THE TRAN. OFFICER IN 2-17
AND 2022.” and “ I still dont know why it took so long to give me a biospy [sic] from my first

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appointment in 2017. or how can I move forward! see # 3 of the informal complaint! the only
session I used.” (Id.). The grievance was closed after appeal on August 1, 2022. (Id.).
IV.

Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate when “the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute

as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” See Fed. R.
Civ. P. 56(a). The moving party must demonstrate “the basis for its motion, and identify[] those
portions of the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file,
together with the affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue
of material fact.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324 (1986) (internal quotation omitted).
The nonmoving party may not simply rely on the pleadings, but “must set forth specific facts
showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242,
250 (1986) (internal quotation omitted). A reviewing court must determine whether the evidence
that the nonmoving party relies upon “presents sufficient disagreement to require submission to a
jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law.” Anderson, 477
U.S. at 251-52.
In evaluating the evidence presented on a summary judgment motion, the reviewing court
must draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party. Id. at 255. Nevertheless, a
court need not accept unsupported or conclusory statements as true. See Alexander v.
CareSource, 576 F.3d 551, 560 (6th Cir. 2009) (“Conclusory statements unadorned with
supporting facts are insufficient to establish a factual dispute that will defeat summary
judgment.”). The non-moving party must present specific facts to demonstrate there is a genuine
issue of material fact for trial. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574,

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587 (1986). “The ‘mere possibility’ of a factual dispute is not enough.” Mitchell v. Toledo Hosp.,
964 F.2d 577, 582 (6th Cir. 1992).
V.

Discussion
A.

Section 1983 Liability

Daniels brings his causes of action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming violations of
his civil rights as guaranteed by the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. (ECF
Doc. 27, ¶ 1). He brings suit against each Defendant in their individual and in their official
capacities. (Id. at ¶ 11). He argues Defendants acted under the color of state law and violated his
constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, in that he was denied timely
medical care. (Id. at ¶¶ 33-48). In their brief, Defendants present argument that Daniels has not
stated a § 1983 claim against them in their official capacities because he has not sufficiently
alleged facts meeting the required showing of liability under Monell or under the Sixth Circuit’s
standard as stated in Burgess v. Fischer, 735 F.3d 462, 478 (6th Cir. 2013). (ECF Doc. 46, pp.
21-23, p. 21 n. 1). Defendants also state that Daniels has failed to state a § 1983 claim against
Warden Fender in his official capacity, and that there was no deliberate indifference to his
serious medical need by Defendants. (Id. at pp. 23-25).
1.

Official Capacity

I first note that CoreCivic is a private prison that operates LaECI on behalf of the State of
Ohio. See Whitson v. CoreCivic, No. 3:17-CV-00951, 2017 WL 3025599, at *2 (M.D. Tenn. July
17, 2017) (describing CoreCivic as “a Nashville-based private prison company.”). Douglas

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Fender was the Warden at LaECI, and Dr. Swanson was a medical provider at LaECI during the
period at issue. (See generally ECF Doc. 46).
“A section 1983 claimant must show 1) the deprivation of a right secured by the
Constitution or laws of the United States and 2) the deprivation was caused by a person acting
under color of state law.” Street v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 102 F.3d 810, 814 (6th Cir. 1996)
(internal quotations omitted). As a private prison operating on the behalf of the State of Ohio,
Defendants may be considered as “‘acting under color of state law’ in that they were performing
the ‘traditional state function’ of operating a prison” for purposes of analyzing § 1983 liability.
Id. Therefore, CoreCivic and the individual defendants are amenable to suit under § 1983.
However, § 1983 liability cannot be imposed upon CoreCivic solely on the basis of
respondeat superior. Taylor v. Mich. Dep’t of Corr., 69 F.3d 76, 80-81 (6th Cir. 1995). Rather,
Daniels must demonstrate injury caused pursuant to some official policy or custom. Monell, 436
U.S. at 691. Daniels has not pointed to any official policy or custom on CoreCivic’s part that
caused his alleged lack of medical treatment for his prostate. Accordingly, he has no claim
against CoreCivic. See Thomas v. Coble, 55 F.App’x 748, 748-49 (6th Cir. 2003). Following that
thread, with no claim as to CoreCivic official policies, his claims with respect to Warden Fender
and Dr. Swanson in their official capacities as CoreCivic employees also fail.
Therefore, Daniels may not maintain his suit for damages against Defendants in their
official capacities.
2.

Individual Capacity: Count One

In Count One of his Amended Complaint, Daniels alleges a Section 1983 violation,
stating that Defendants failed to seasonably treat or otherwise procure treatment for his prostate,
causing his condition to develop into prostate cancer and causing him to suffer continuing injury,

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including lingering urination issues and a dry cough, among other complications. (ECF Doc. 27,
¶¶ 35, 37). Furthermore, Defendants’ inaction and/or inadequate oversight violated Daniels’s
constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
Id. at ¶ 36).
Defendants respond that they were not deliberately indifferent to Daniels’s medical
needs, and that no violation occurred. (ECF Doc. 46, pp. 8, 18-20). In support, they provide
Daniels’s medical record during the period at issue (ECF Docs. 46-1, 46-2, 46-3, 46-4), and
provide a medical expert’s opinion as to the care Daniels received for his prostate issues (ECF
Doc. 46-5). These records demonstrate Daniels received appropriate care, and that any delay in
receiving treatment for his enlarged prostate, and any cancer diagnosis that may have resulted,
stemmed from Daniels’s refusal of treatment. (ECF Doc. 46, p. 8). Defendants allege Daniels has
not demonstrated that they were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, and that
Daniels has not carried his burden of proof to show otherwise. (Id. at pp. 18-20). Without more,
Daniels’s claim fails.
42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides that any person who, under color of law, subjects any citizen
of the United States to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the
Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party. In other words, to prove a claim under Section
1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate “that he was deprived of a right secured by the Constitution or
laws of the United States, and that he was subjected to or caused to be subjected to this
deprivation by a person acting under color of state law.” Searcy v. City of Dayton, 38 F.3d 282,
286 (6th Cir.1994).
In its prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishments,” the Eighth Amendment
imposes the duty on prison officials to “provide humane conditions of confinement; prison

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officials must ensure that inmates receive adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care[.]”
Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832 (1994). As a result, a prison official’s “deliberate
indifference” to the serious medical needs of inmates violates the Eighth Amendment. Estelle v.
Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976); see also Farmer, 511 U.S. at 828. But a prison official’s
inadvertent failure to provide adequate medical care, or a complaint that a physician was
negligent in diagnosing or treating an inmate’s medical condition, does not state a valid claim
under the Eighth Amendment. Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106. Furthermore, “prison officials who
actually knew of a substantial risk to inmate health or safety may be found free from liability if
they responded reasonably to the risk, even if the harm ultimately was not averted.” Farmer, 511
U.S. at 844.
“The Eighth Amendment’s deliberate indifference framework includes both an objective
and subjective prong.” Wilson v. Williams, 961 F.3d 829, 839 (6th Cir. 2020), citing Farmer, 511
U.S. at 834 and Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 35 (1993). Thus, to state a cognizable claim,
the inmate must show objectively “that he is incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial
risk of serious harm” and subjectively, that an “official knows of and disregards an excessive risk
to inmate health or safety; the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference
could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the
inference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834, 837; see also Wilson, 961 F.3d at 840. “To satisfy the
subjective component, the defendant must possess a ‘sufficiently culpable state of mind,’ rising
above negligence or even gross negligence and being ‘tantamount to intent to punish.’” Broyles
v. Corr. Med. Servs., Inc., 478 F. App’x 971, 975 (6th Cir. 2012), quoting Horn v. Madison Cnty.
Fiscal Court, 22 F.3d 653, 660 (6th Cir.1994).

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With this, the Eighth Amendment requires a showing of more than mere negligence and
forecloses claims alleging merely medical malpractice. See Kirkland v. ODRC, No. 4:23-cv00305, 2023 WL 8807240, at *6 (N.D. Ohio Dec. 19, 2023). “Medical malpractice does not
become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a prisoner.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at
106. “To the extent a plaintiff complains ‘solely [about] the lack of diagnosis and inadequate
treatment of” the injury or ailment and takes the position ‘that more should have been done by
way of diagnosis and treatment’ (including ‘suggest[ing] a number of options that were not
pursued’), that question ‘is a classic example of a matter for medical judgment.’” Barrett v.
Carter, 823 F. App’x 386, 395 (6th Cir. 2020), quoting Estelle, 429 U.S. at 107. As such,
“allegations of medical malpractice or negligent diagnosis and treatment generally fail to state an
Eighth Amendment claim of cruel and unusual punishment.” Broyles, 478 F. App’x 971, 975,
citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106. Therefore, “[a]n inmate who complains that delay in medical
treatment rose to a constitutional violation must place verifying medical evidence in the record to
establish the detrimental effect of the delay in medical treatment to succeed.” Broyles, 478 F.
App’x at 975.
For Daniels to succeed in his individual-capacity claims against Defendants, he must
demonstrate each defendant’s personal involvement in the alleged unconstitutional conduct
“Persons sued in their individual capacities under § 1983 can be held liable based only on their
own unconstitutional behavior.” Heyerman v. Cnty. of Calhoun, 680 F.3d 642, 647 (6th Cir.
2012). Personal liability “must be based on the actions of that defendant in the situation that the
defendant faced, and not based on any problems caused by the errors of others[.]” Gibson v.
Matthews, 926 F.2d 532, 535 (6th Cir. 1991). Section 1983 liability cannot arise under a theory

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of respondeat superior or vicarious liability. Monell v. Dept. of Soc. Svcs.436 U.S. 658, 692
(1978).
However, even construing facts in his favor as the non-moving party, Daniels has not
presented facts sufficient to show any defendant’s personal involvement in unconstitutional
conduct. In his brief in opposition, Daniels makes unsupported allegations that an assistant
working in Warden Fender’s employ had “made false and misleading statements[.]” (ECF Doc.
48, p. 1). He alleges this assistant of Warden Fender included at the top of a page of the record,
without specifying, that he “Told Dr. Swanson he didn’t want it (referring to the biopsy) because
‘it went down’ (meaning enlarge [sic] prostate) She start with ‘told he needed prostate biopsy.’”
(Id.). This, however, is insufficient to demonstrate CoreCivic, Warden Fender, or Dr. Swanson’s
personal involvement. Nor does it allege facts rising to unconstitutional conduct.
Rather, the medical record provided by Defendants demonstrates that Daniels received
regular care for his enlarged prostate from providers within the prison system, as well as care
outside the facility from specialists. For example, after complaining of low urinary symptoms in
2016, he was referred to a urologist and received diagnostic testing to confirm he had an
enlarged prostate. (ECF Doc. 46-2, CC-DANIELS000053-54, 61-66, ECF Doc. 46-5, p. 5). That
urologist prescribed Flomax, Detrol, and recommended conducting an MRI, with the possibility
of a potential TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and biopsy. (ECF Doc. 46-2, CCDANIELS000069-70, 112-15, 130-32). Daniels was not compliant with taking the Flomax or the
Detrol. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000149-50). Daniels was scheduled for a prostate biopsy on March
15, 2017, but refused the treatment at that time. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000178, 210). The forms
provided by Defendants demonstrate that Daniels was informed of the risks of not proceeding
with the prostate biopsy, including the risk of prostate cancer: “Elevated PSA may be [the] result

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of prostate cancer and may lead to death, IM verbalizes understanding but refuses to sign
‘Release of Responsibility’ for myself because he already signed for nursing staff at 5:30am.”
(Id. at CC-DANIELS000210). Despite refusing the biopsy, Defendants continued to monitor
Daniels’s PSA levels and offer treatment, including Hytrin, Flomax, and a prostate ultrasound.
Nonetheless, Daniels refused treatment in October 2018 despite being informed of the risks of
prostate cancer. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000419-28).
Finally, in June 2019, Daniels met with a third urologist, who prescribed Proscar and
again recommended a prostate biopsy. (Id. at CC-DANIELS000506-08). After a period of
lowered PSA levels while on Proscar, Daniels’s PSA levels began to rise again in late 2021. (Id.
at CC-DANIELS000881, 1071). He was treated by another urologist, Dr. Ghandour, who
recommended a prostate MRI, restarting Flomax, and discontinuing Terazosin (Hytrin), with
follow up in eight weeks to discuss potential biopsy depending on the results of the MRI. (Id. at
CC-DANIELS001118-21, 1134). Finally, on February 15, 2022, Daniels submitted to a prostate
biopsy, which revealed adenocarcinoma of the prostate involving both lobes. (Id. at CCDANIELS001272-74). Daniels, with consultation from a radiation oncologist, elected to proceed
with external beam radiation therapy for treatment of his prostate cancer, but declined
transurethral resection of the prostate. (Id. at CC-DANIELS001429-36). Daniels received
external beam radiation therapy Monday through Friday in May 2022. (Id. at CCDANIELS001846-002299, ECF Doc. 46-4, CC-DANIELS2300-2386). By October 2022,
Daniels’s prostate cancer was considered in remission and required only routine monitoring of
PSA levels every six months. (ECF Doc. 46-4, CC-DANIELS002447-48).

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In addition, Defendants present an affidavit from a urologist stating that Daniels received
timely and appropriate care, and that it is speculative that an earlier biopsy would have changed
his prognosis. (ECF Doc. 46-5).
Daniels does not specifically refute this evidence. Indeed, in his response to the present
Motion for Summary Judgment, he states “I read the care I got and I can’t say too much.” (ECF
Doc. 48, p. 1). Instead, he asks the court to “debunk expose the false statements” without
clarifying what he is referring to as false or providing evidence as to the falsity of the records
provided by Defendants. (Id.).
Daniels has not established a question of material fact sufficient to overcome Defendants’
Motion for Summary Judgment. Even assuming for the sake of argument that Daniels has
established the objective component demonstrating his enlarged prostate was a sufficiently
serious medical need, he has not shown subjectively that Defendants’ conduct was of the type
that rises to the level of an Eighth Amendment violation. Rather, the evidence here demonstrates
that the officials advised Daniels of the need for care and were prepared to provide it to him, but
Daniels chose not to take advantage of the treatment available when it was first offered.
With this review, it is clear that Daniels has not shown that Defendants, in their
individual capacities, had a culpable state of mind tantamount to an intent to punish, or that the
delay in treatment rose to a constitutional violation. Broyles, 478 F. App’x at 975. I therefore
recommend summary judgment be granted to Defendants as to Count One.
3.

Count Two: Permanent Injunction

Next, Daniels seeks a permanent injunction ordering Defendants Core Civic and Dr.
Swanson to seasonably address inmates’ serious medical needs without unnecessary delay.

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(Amended Compl., ECF Doc. 27, ¶¶ 38-43). Defendants assert Daniels cannot show a likelihood
of success on the merits and request summary judgment in their favor. (ECF Doc. 46, pp. 25-27).
The standard for a permanent injunction is the same as a preliminary injunction, except
that for a preliminary injunction the plaintiff must show a likelihood of success on the merits and
for a permanent injunction, the plaintiff must show actual success. ACLU of Ky. v. McCreary
County, Ky., 607 F.3d 439, 445 (6th Cir. 2010), quoting Amoco Prod. Co. v. Vill. of Gambell,
480 U.S. 531, 546 n.12 (1987). “[A] party is entitled to a permanent injunction if it can establish
that it suffered a constitutional violation and will suffer continuing irreparable injury for which
there is no adequate remedy at law.” ACLU of Ky., 607 F.3d at 445 (internal quotations and
marks omitted).
District courts assess four factors in analyzing a preliminary injunction issue:
(1) whether the plaintiff has a strong likelihood of succeeding on the merits;
(2) whether the plaintiff will suffer irreparable injury absent the injunction;
(3) whether issuing the injunction will cause substantial harm to others; and
(4) whether the public interest will be furthered by the issuance of the
injunction.
Gonzales v. Nat’l Bd. of Med. Examiners, 225 F.3d 620, 625 (6th Cir. 2000). “Although no one
factor is controlling, a finding that there is simply no likelihood of success on the merits is
usually fatal.” Id.
Despite his allegations to the contrary, as discussed above, Daniels cannot establish that
he suffered a constitutional violation. Therefore, he fails the first prong of the test for issuing a
permanent injunction, as the Sixth Circuit has outlined in Gonzales. This is fatal to his request in
Count Two and analysis of the three remaining factors will not save this claim. I decline to
recommend the District Court issue a permanent injunction.

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I therefore continue in my recommendation that the District Court grant Defendants’
motion for summary judgment.
4.

Count Three: Declaratory Judgment

In Count Three, Daniels requests a declaratory judgment requesting this Court “declare
that Defendants’ conduct violated the United States Constitution.” (Compl., ECF Doc. 27, ¶ 47).
Defendants oppose in a footnote, stating “Plaintiff’s Count III seeks a ‘declaration by this Court
of the unconstitutionality of Defendants’ conduct.’ Because there was no constitutional violation
and because the requested relief is not the kind contemplated by 28 U.S.C. § 2201, Defendants
should be granted summary judgment in their favor on this claim.” (ECF Doc. 46, p. 24, n.2
(internal citations to the record omitted)).
I agree with Defendants that no unconstitutional conduct by CoreCivic, Warden Fender,
or Dr. Swanson has occurred that would warrant a declaratory judgment by this Court.
I therefore recommend the District Judge grant summary judgment to Defendants as to
Count Three.

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VI.

Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, I recommend the District Court GRANT Defendants’ motion

for summary judgment and dismiss this case in its entirety.

Dated: September 25, 2024
Reuben J. Sheperd
United States Magistrate Judge

OBJECTIONS
Objections, Review, and Appeal
Within 14 days after being served with a copy of this report and recommendation, a party
may serve and file specific written objections to the proposed findings and recommendations of
the magistrate judge.  Rule 72(b)(2), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; see also 28
U.S.C.§ 636(b)(1); Local Rule 72.3(b). Properly asserted objections shall be reviewed de novo
by the assigned district judge. 
* * *
Failure to file objections within the specified time may result in the forfeiture or waiver
of the right to raise the issue on appeal either to the district judge or in a subsequent appeal to the
United States Court of Appeals, depending on how or whether the party responds to the report
and recommendation.  Berkshire v. Dahl, 928 F.3d 520, 530 (6th Cir. 2019).  Objections must be
specific and not merely indicate a general objection to the entirety of the report and
recommendation; “a general objection has the same effect as would a failure to object.” Howard
v. Sec’y of Health and Hum. Servs., 932 F.2d 505, 509 (6th Cir. 1991). Objections should focus
on specific concerns and not merely restate the arguments in briefs submitted to the magistrate
judge. “A reexamination of the exact same argument that was presented to the Magistrate Judge
without specific objections ‘wastes judicial resources rather than saving them, and runs contrary
to the purpose of the Magistrates Act.’” Overholt v. Green, No. 1:17-CV-00186, 2018 WL
3018175, *2 (W.D. Ky. June 15, 2018) (quoting Howard).  The failure to assert specific
objections may in rare cases be excused in the interest of justice. See United States v.
Wandahsega, 924 F.3d 868, 878-79 (6th Cir. 2019).

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