STANFORD v. WALTON et al
Filing
188
OPINION AND ORDER granting 161 Motion for Summary Judgment and granting 163 Motion for Summary Judgment for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Opinion and Order. Counts I, II, III, and IV of Plaintiffs Complaint are DISMISSED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly on 10/09/2019. A copy of this Notice, the Opinion and Order, and the Appendix have been mailed to Plaintiff's address of record. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix A) (tjw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
ORLANDO STANFORD,
i
Plaintiff,
v.
JOHN WALTON, ERIC SCHWARTZ,
I
STEVEN CMAR, BRAD TOMASELLO,
I
GEORGE LOWTHER, DAWN
I
BICKERTON, AMY WIDMAR,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY PRISON, and
WESTMORELAND COUNTY PRISON
BOARD,
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Civil Action No. 16-1584
Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly
Re: ECF Nos. 161 and 163
OPINION AND ORDER
KELLY, Magistrate Judge
Plaintiff Orlando Stanford ("Plaintiff'), who is currently incarcerated at State Correctional
Institution at Houtzdale ("SCI-Houtzdale"), brings this pro se civil rights action arising out of
alleged violations of his constitutional rights during his incarceration in the Restricted Housing
Unit at the Westmoreland County Prison in September 2016.
Presently before the Court are two Motions for Summary Judgment filed on behalf of
Defendants. ECF Nos. 161, 163. For the reasons that follow, the Motions for Summary Judgment
will be granted. 1
1
In accordance with the provisions of28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(l), the parties voluntarily consented to having a United
States Magistrate Judge conduct proceedings in this case, including the entry of a fmal judgment. ECF Nos. 180 and
181.
I.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs claims arise out of twenty-nine days during which he was incarcerated in the
Restricted Housing Unit ("RHU") at Westmoreland County Prison. In his Complaint, Plaintiff
alleges that Defendants violated his Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights through the
conditions of his confinement in the RHU, where he was denied access to showers, recreation, and
clean linens from between 8 and 20 days, and subjected to constant illumination and isolation.
Plaintiff claims that, as a result of these conditions, he developed a fungal toenail infection;
deterioration of his mental health; decreased vision, cluster headaches, digestion problems, and
irregular heartbeat. ECF No. 176 ~ 18, 29; ECF No. 176-1
~
31.
In addition, Plaintiff claims that Defendants violated his Eighth and Fourteenth
Amendment rights by denying him medical treatment with respect to a purported toenail infection
and mental healthcare in the RHU. Finally, he asserts violations of his First, Sixth, and Fourteenth
Amendment rights as a result of Defendants' purported failure to provide him with legal materials
necessary to prepare his criminal defense, and by hindering his ability to pursue his administrative
remedies within the prison.
The Defendants remaining in the case at this stage in the litigation are Westmoreland
County Prison and the Westmoreland County Prison Board (the "Prison Board"), and prison
officials John Walton ("Walton"), Eric Schwartz ("Schwartz"), Steven Cmar ("Cmar"), Brad
Tomasello ("Tomasello") and George Lowther ("Lowther").
Westmoreland County Prison.
2
Walton is the Warden of
A. TheRHU
Plaintiff was confined at the Westmoreland County Prison from September 2, 2016 to
October 27, 2016, and he was placed in the RHU on September 6, 2016 for a rule infraction. ECF
No. 185 ,r,r 1, 3. He was released from the RHU on October 5, 2016. Id.
,r 5; ECF No. 185-1 at 6.
Plaintiff relies on an affidavit he prepared in opposition to Defendants' Motions for
Summary Judgment. 2 ECF No. 176-1. In his affidavit, Plaintiff asserts that, while in the RHU,
· he was not given a recreation hour from September 6, 2016 to September 21, 2016. ECF No. 1761 ,r 3. He was not provided access to a shower from September 8, 2016 to September 16, 2016.
Id. He also claims that he was not given clean linens or a clean uniform from September 6, 2016
(
to September 26, 2016. Id. Plaintiffs cellmate, Christopher Smarr ("Smarr"), attests in an
affidavit that he witnessed a corrections officer tell Plaintiff that "he now has a set schedule and
denied [Plaintiff] a shower or recreation." ECF No. 175-20 at 2.
Although Plaintiff claims he was kept in solitary confinement, the record before the Court
is silent as to whether, and for how long, this occurred. Smarr claims that he was Plaintiffs
cellmate in the E-Unit. Defendants state that Plaintiff was transferred to E-Unit on September 19,
2016 and remained until October 5, 2016, when he was released from the RHU and transferred to
A-Unit. ECF No. 175-12 at 18; ECF.No. 175-13 at 2. Additionally, Plaintiff claims he was
exposed to "24-hour lighting" and constant illumination, but he does not proffer any evidence
regarding the brightness, location, or other details regarding the light. ECF No. 176 ,r 29.
2
Consistent with other filings Plaintiff has submitted in this case, Plaintiff's affidavit appears to be signed by
printing his name.
3
B. Plaintifr s Medical Complaints
1. Toenail infection
During his confinement in the RHU, Plaintiff claims that he requested treatment for what
he claimed to be a toenail infection. ECF No. 175-8; ECF No. 176-1
~
18. On September 26,
2016, Dawn Bickerton ("Bickerton"), a physician assistant employed by Wexford Health at the
,
Westmoreland County Prison, evaluated Plaintiffs symptoms. ECF No. 185-1 at 10; ECF No.
185
~
13. According to Bickerton' s notes of her evaluation, Plaintiff self-diagnosed a soft-tissue
infection in his "right great toe." ECF No. 185-1 at 10. Bickerton examined both of Plaintiffs
feet and determined there was: "older ecchy under nail and at base of the nail. [V]ery minimal
swelling at the base of the toenail. [N]o warmth. [N]o redness. [N]o swelling of toe. [N]o open
areas." Id. She concluded there was no evidence of infection and that no treatment was required.
Just eight days later, former Defendant Amy Widmar ("Widmar"), Health Services
Administrator, evaluated Plaintiff again on October 4, 2016 at the Westmoreland County Prison.
ECF No. 59 ~~ 33-35. Plaintiff claims that there is no record of this examination, and that Widmar
refused to look at his toe, simply deferring to Bickerton's conclusions. ECF No. 59 ~~ 33-35; ECF
No. 176 ~ 26. However, in response to Plaintiffs prior Motion for Preliminary Injunction in this
action, Widmar filed the following notes of her October 4, 2016 examination of Plaintiff:
[E]xamined inmates big toe on left foot due to repeated complaints of "soft tissue
infection". Inmate had been examined several times previous to this occasion both
by PA and nurse. Todays exam noted no puss, no swelling, no redness, no evidence
of infection. Inmate insistent on receiving antibiotics, this is denied as there is no
medical indication for antibiotics. Inmate instructed to keep area clean with soap
and water, and dry. Inmate instructed to notify medical if any NEW symptoms of
"infection" present.
ECF No. 98-1 at 6.
4
After Plaintiff was transferred to the State Correctional Institution at Greene ("SCIGreene"), on November 5, 2016, Plaintiffs toe was evaluated by Nurse Dice ("Dice"). ECF No.
175-18 at 2. According to the medical records, Plaintiff was evaluated in connection with his left
great toe. Dice's notes indicate that Plaintiffs toenail was loose at the cuticle, discolored and
brownish. Id. Dice concluded that there was no infection noted, but referred Plaintiff to "sick
call" to be evaluated by a doctor or physician assistant. Id.
Two days later, on November 7, 2019, medical records indicate that Plaintiff was evaluated
m connection with reported "left great toenail pain" and Plaintiffs request to review his
medication. ECF No. 175-18 at 3. According to notes from this visit, Plaintiffs left great toenail
· was thick, discolored, slightly loose, and "suggestive of onychomychosis" (a fungal infection of
. the nail). Id. Plaintiffs "transfer health information" sheet dated November 21, 2016 also
indicates that Plaintiff was diagnosed with the fungal infection Tinea Unguium. ECF No. 175-18
at 4. The medical records do not indicate the source or cause of Plaintiffs symptoms.
2. Mental health
As of July 6, 2016, prior to his placement in the RHU, records indicate that Plaintiff had
been diagnosed with "other specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder" and
"adjustment order with anxiety." ECF No. 175-5. As of August 31, 2016, a Department of
Corrections ("DOC") temporary transfer record characterizes Plaintiff as "seriously mentally ill."
ECF No. 175-15.
Plaintiff received ongoing treatment from mental health professionals while incarcerated,
ECF No. 175-14 and ECF No. 175-5, and he was prescribed medication for treatment of his
condition. ECF No. 175-18 at 4; ECF No. 175-5. Plaintiff continued to receive medication for his
5
psychiatric condition while housed in the RHU at Westmoreland County Prison. ECF No. 59 at
4; ECF No. 185-2 at 14.
Plaintiff states in his affidavit that, due to the• incident alleged, his "mental symptoms
worsened" and became more intense. ECF No. 176-1
~
31. Plaintiff has not produced any other
. supporting evidence, medical records or expert opinion documenting a change in his mental health
symptoms or opining as to either the cause or treatment of any purported symptoms.
3. Other medical complaints
Plaintiff asserts in his Concise Statement of Material Facts that his "eyesight decreased due
to being under constant 24 hour lighting" and this also caused Plaintiffs migraines to progress to
cluster headaches, digestion problems and irregular heartbeat. ECF No. 176
~
29. In support of
this statement, Plaintiff produces various medical records.
With respect to Plaintiffs headaches, Plaintiff relies on a medical report dated August 17,
2017, nearly a year after his incarceration in the RHU at Westmoreland County Prison, indicating
that Plaintiff had been experiencing headaches almost every day for the past month, which
included light and sound sensitivity, and pressure in the temporal region. The report concludes
that his headache is most likely a "cluster" headache. ECF No. 175-19 at 7. There is no indication
as to a specific cause of the headaches.
With respect to his eyesight, Plaintiff produces a medical report dated May 4, 2018, which
indicates that "inmate was seen 3 years ago glasses were ordered then he was released, that
occurred in 2015." Id. at 2. Plaintiff was referred to optometry. Id. There is no indication of any
decreased eyesight following Plaintiffs confinement in the RHU at Westmoreland County Prison
in 2016. There is no indication as to a specific cause of any vision problems.
6
With respect to his digestion, Plaintiff introduces medical reports dated March 2017, six
months after his incarceration in the RHU at Westmoreland County Prison, indicating that Plaintiff
was experiencing constipation, nausea, dry heaving and abdominal pain. Id. at 2-4. The records
indicate that the was treated for these symptoms and his condition improved. Id. There is no
indication as to a specific cause of these symptoms.
Finally, with respect to his heart, Plaintiff relies on a medical testing report dated March
13, 2018, more than a year after his incarceration in the RHU at the Westmoreland County Prison,
indicating that Plaintiff has "normal sinus rhythm" and "early repolarization." Id. at 6. There is
no indication of the cause or effect of the early repolarization diagnosis.
4. Plaintiff's requests for medical treatment
Plaintiff claims that he attempted to receive treatment for a purported toenail infection
while in the RHU, but was not seen until September 26, 2016. According to the Westmoreland
County Prison Handbook (the "Prison Handbook"), produced and relied upon here by Plaintiff,
the following notification procedure is required to obtain medical services:
To receive medical services, you must fill out an inmate request slip, outlining your
problem and place it in the medical request slip box on the unit. Do not turn it
over to a unit officer, and do not place it in any other request slip, box other than the
designated "medical request slip box."
ECF No. 175-3 (emphasis in original).
For "sick calls," the Prison Handbook indicates as follows:
You are to submit a written request to the medical staff, if you wish additional
medical care. You are to place this request in the designated "medical request slip
box", not in the regular inmate request slip box. You are to indicate your name,
booking number, and medical complaint on the request slip.
If you are having a medical emergency that cannot wait for the next scheduled
physician's visit, have the housing unit officer contact his/her immediate
supervisor, who in turn will contact the medical staff. Do not attempt to have a
nurse examine you during "medication distribution periods."
7
Id. (emphasis in original).
Plaintiff verified that he received a copy of the Prison Handbook on at least three occasions
prior to entering the RHU: May 24, 2016, July 15, 2016 and September 3, 2016. ECF No. 185-1
at 12-14.
In an affidavit, Plaintiff claims that, in an effort to receive treatment for his toenail, he
informed corrections officers as they passed by, and he informed a nurse of his request while she
was passing out medications. ECFNo. 176-1 ,r,r 18, 19. Plaintiff also asserts that he "wrote several
requests for medical treatment to no avail" over the course of several weeks. Id.
,r 20.
Plaintiff
indicates that he did not receive medical attention until September 26, 2016, after informing prison
officials at his board hearing of "his denial of medical treatment for his infection," after which
Defendant Lowther directed that he "be seen." Id.
,r 21; ECF No.
176
,r 22.
The hearing record
reflects that Defendant Schwartz was present at this hearing, in addition to board members Floyd
E. Murphy and Shane K. Smith. ECF No. 175-7.
With the exception of these board members, who are identified in the records provided, the
record does not specifically identify which individuals Plaintiff attempted to inform of his need
, for medical treatment, or where or to whom he directed the written requests. The parties produced
one written request slip related to Plaintiffs toenail condition, which is directed to the medical _
department. This request slip is dated Friday, September 23, 2016, and it states:
I keep writing & requesting to have my foot checked for that soft tissue infection[.]
Can you call me down?
ECF No. 175-8.
In response to the request slip, Plaintiff was evaluated by Bickerton the next business day,
on September 26, 2016. ECF No. 185-1 at 10. According to Bickerton's notes, Plaintiff informed
8
her that his toenail condition had been present for 2-3 weeks and that he had not been provided
medical attention for it, "but also admits to never dropping a slip dbout it to medical until now."
The record does not reflect that Plaintiff ever reported, or requested treatment in connection
with, any symptoms involving decreased vision, headaches, digestion problems, or his heart
between September 6, 2016 and October 5, 2016 while he was in the RHU.
5. Plaintifrs requests for mental health treatment
The Prison Handbook identifies the following procedure for requesting mental health
treatment:
Mental Health Treatment is also available to assist you, if you require such
treatment. You can submit a written request slip directly to the Mental Hea_lth
Professional in the Medical Department or contact the Deputy Warden of
Treatment.
ECF No. 175-3.
With respect to requests for mental health treatment, Plaintiff claims in his affidavit that he
requested psychiatric medical attention while in the RHU, but was never seen. Plaintiff claims
that he wrote a request to see a "psych doctor" but did not receive a response. ECF No. 176-1
~
8.
There is no written record provided of this request, and Plaintiff does not specify where, when, or
to whom it was directed. Plaintiff also claims that he asked a nurse dispensing his medication if
he could see the psych doctor, and he was told that the doctor was out on vacation. Id. at~ 9.
Defendants dispute that Plaintiff ever requested mental health treatment while in the RHU. ECF
No. 185 ~ 8.
6. Plaintifrs requests related to the conditions of his confinement
Plaintiff asserts in his affidavit that, on September 8, 2016, he informed the board members
at his hearing that he was "not being given showers, or recreation." ECF No. 176-1 ~ 2. According
9
to the hearing report, Defendants Schwartz and Tomasello and Corrections Officer Shane K. Smith
were present at this hearing. ECF No. 175-6.
Plaintiff also states that he wrote to Walton "informing him of Plaintiffs treatment and
conditions of confinement." ECF No. 176 ,r 14. There is no indication when this communication
occurred or the specifics of what Plaintiff relayed.
Plaintiff states that he "continuously and effortlessly requested passmg [corrections
officers] for a shower and recreation to no avail." ECF No. 176 ,r 17; ECF No. 176-1 at 12.
Plaintiff claims that he continuously pushed his call button and no one ever responded. ECF No.
176,r19.
7. Grievances
Plaintiff was aware of the process for filing a grievance at Westmoreland County Prison.
ECF No. 185-1 at 12-14. There is no dispute that he did not submit a grievance form in connection
with the claims at issue in this case.
Plaintiff claims that he made efforts to obtain a grievance form, but was unable to do so.
In his affidavit, Plaintiff indicates that he requested a grievance form from Corrections Officer
Suddy and was told "there is none." ECF No. 176-1 ,r 7. After Bickerton examined Plaintiff, he
claims that he wrote a request to Defendant Cmar indicating that he was being denied treatment.
Plaintiff requested a grievance form and further evaluation from Cmar. Id. ,r 23. Defendant
Lowther then directed that Plaintiff be seen again by the medical professionals. Id. ,r 24; ECF No.
176,r23.
On September 30, 2016, Plaintiff requested an "emergency grievance from Murphy," who
refused to provide a grievance form on the grounds that it was not a "life or death situation." ECF
No. 176-1
,r 25.
10
Defendants Schwartz, Tomasello and Walton admit that "per prison policy grievances are
not made available on any housing unit." ECF No. 175-12 at 22, 24, 25, 26, 29-31; ECF 176 at
~
4.
II.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiff filed his initial Complaint on October 20, 2016. ECF No. 3. On October 27, 2016,
this Court filed a Report and Recommendation, recommending that the Complaint be dismissed
I
for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. ECF No. 6. On December 8, 2016,
Plaintiff filed objections to the Report and Recommendation. ECF No. 18. United States District
Judge Mark R. Hornak entered a Memorandum Order on December 19, 2016 finding that, although
the allegations in Plaintiffs Complaint failed to state a claim, additional factual allegations in
Plaintiffs Objections may state a claim. ECF No. 19. Plaintiff was therefore ordered to file an
amended complaint, ECF No. 19.
Plaintiff submitted an Amended Complaint on January 18, 2017. ECF No. 22. Following
Defendants' filing of a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, ECF No. 42, Plaintiff filed the
operative Second Amended Complaint on June 12, 2017. ECF No. 59.
In his Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiff brings four unnumbered claims. The Court
has identified them by number for ease of reference. Count I, brought against Defendants Walton,
Tomasello, Schwartz, and the Prison Board, is a claim related to the conditions of Plaintiffs
confinement. Id. at 3. Count II, brought against Defendants Walton, Westmoreland County
Prison, Bickerton and Widmar, is a claim for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. Id.
at 4. Count III, brought against Defendants Walton and Westmoreland County Prison, is a claim
for deliberate indifference to psychological needs. Id. Count IV, brought against Defendants
11
.
Westmoreland County Prison, Westmoreland County Prison Board, Cmar, Walton, and Lowther
is a claim for denial of due process and access to the courts. Id. at 5.
Defendants filed three Motions to Dismiss the Second Am~nded Complaint. ECF Nos. 61,
78, and 86. Thereafter, the Court issued a Report and Recommendation recommending that the
Motion to Dismiss filed by Medical Defendants Widmar and Bickerton, ECF No. 86, be granted.
ECF No. 111. As to the remaining Defendants, the Court recommended that the Motions to
Dismiss, ECF Nos. 61 and 78, be denied. On February 26, 2018, District Judge Mark Hornak
adopted the Report and Recommendation. ECF No. 114.
Following the close of discovery, ECF No. 145, Defendants submitted the instant Motion
for Summary Judgment, along with a Brief in Support, in which they argue that Plaintiffs claims
should be dismissed for failure to exhaust Plaintiffs administrative remedies, and because there is
no genuine issue of material fact with respect to the claims against them. ECF Nos. 161, 162. In
addition, Defendants Westmoreland County Prison and the Prison Board filed a separate Motion
for Summary Judgment and Brief in Support, arguing that dismissal is also proper because the
Westmoreland County Prison is a building and the Prison Board is "nothing more than a group of
elected officials who set policy for the prison." ECF Nos. 163, 164 at 2. As such, they are not
"persons" who can be sued under 28 U.S.C. § 1983. ECF No. 164 at 2.
On May 13, 2019, Plaintiff submitted a Brief in Opposition to Defendants' Motions for
Summary Judgment and a concise statement of material facts, with supporting appendix. ECF
Nos. 175-177.
On July 24, 2019, the Court ordered Defendants to supplement their Motions for Summary
Judgment with a concise statement of material facts, as required under Local Civil Rule 56(B).
ECF No. 182. Defendants subsequently submitted a concise statement of material facts on August
12
5, 2019, ECF No. 185, and Plaintiff submitted a counterstatement of material facts to Defendants'
filing on August 23, 2019, ECF No. 187. 3 As such, the Motions for Summary Judgment are now
ripe for review.
III.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that: "The court shall grant
summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
the movant i.s entitled to judgment as a matter oflaw." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). An issue of material
fact is in genuine dispute if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for
the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242,248 (1986); Doe v. Abington
Friends Sch., 480 F.3d 752, 256 (3d Cir. 2007) ("A genuine issue is present when a reasonable
trier of fact, viewing all of the record evidence, could rationally find in favor of the non-moving
party in light of his burden of proof'). Thus, summary judgment is warranted where, "after
adequate time for discovery and upon motion ... a party ... fails to make a showing sufficient to
establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will
bear the burden of proof at trial." Marten v. Godwin, 499 F.3d 290, 295 (3d Cir. 2007) (quoting
Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986)).
.,
The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating to the court that there is an
absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322; Conoshenti
v. Pub. Serv. Elec. & Gas Co., 364 F.3d 135, 140 (3d Cir. 2004). "[W]hen the moving party has
carried its burden under Rule 56( c), its opponent must do more than simply show that there is some
metaphysical doubt as to the material facts .... Where the record taken as a whole could not lead
3
Plaintiff previously submitted a "responsive statement of material facts" to certain statements set forth in
Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment. ECF No. 175. The statements to which Plaintiff responded were not
identified in Defendants' filing as a concise statement of material facts and did not comply with Local Civil Rule
56(B).
13
a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no 'genuine issue for trial."' Scbtt
v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380 (2007) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp.,
475 U.S. 574, 586-87 (1986)).
In deciding a summary judgment motion, a court must view the facts in the light most
~
favorable to the nonmoving party and must draw all reasonable inferences, and resolve all doubts
in favor of the nonmoving party. Matreale v. N.J. Dep't of Military & Veterans Affairs, 487 F.3d
150, 152 (3d Cir. 2007); Woodside v. Sch. Dist. of Phila. Bd. of Educ., 248 F.3d 129, 130 (3d Cir.
2001).
IV.
DISCUSSION
A.
Failure to Exhaust Administrative Remedies
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs claims should be dismissed because Plaintiff failed to
exhaust his administrative remedies, as required under the Prison Litigation Reform Act
I
("PLRA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a). Failure to exhaust is an affirmative defense, which defendant
must prove. Brown v. Croak, 312 F.3d 109, 111 (3d Cir. 2002). Under the PLRA, "[n]o action
shall be brought with respect to prison conditions under section 1983 of this title, or any other
Federal law, by a prisoner confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility until such
administrative remedies as are available are exhausted." 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a).
As the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has explained:
The PLRA requires inmates to exhaust prison grievance procedures before suing in
court. 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a). "[T]o properly exhaust administrative remedies
prisoners must 'complete the administrative review process in accordance with
applicable procedural rules,' rules that are defined not by the PLRA, but by the
prison grievance process itself." Jones [v. Bock]. 549 U.S. [199] at 218 [2007]
(quoting Woodford v. Ngo, 548 U.S. 81, 88 (2006)).
In Brown v. Croak, we noted that the PLRA requires exhaustion of "available"
administrative remedies and defined such remedies as those that are "capable of
use; at hand." 312 F.3d 109, 113 (3d Cir. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted)
14
(quoting Webster's II, New Riverside University Dictionary 141 (1994 ed.)).
Accordingly, we held that when prison officials "thwart[] [a prisoner's] efforts to
exhaust his administrative remedies," they render them "unavailable." Id.
Robinson v. Superintendent Rockview SCI, 831 F.3d 148, 153 (3d Cir. 2016).
In their Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendants argue that Plaintiff had notice of, and
has acknowledged, the requirements for submitting a grievance at the Westmoreland County
Prison. Because there is no dispute that Plaintiff did not submit a grievance regarding the claims
at issue here, they argue that his claims should be dismissed. Plaintiff responds that he was unable
to exhaust his administrative remedies because grievance forms were not made available to him,
despite his repeated efforts, and because he was not required to follow protocol in an "emergency"
situation. Plaintiff also relies on Defendants' admissions in discovery responses that "grievance
forms were not made available on any housing unit" in support of his argument.
Based on the record, Defendants have not satisfied their burden to prove that Plaintiff failed
to exhaust his administrative remedies. Although Defendants argue that Plaintiff failed to submit
a grievance form, Plaintiff is only required to exhaust such remedies "as are available" to him. 42
. U.S.C. § 1997e(a); see also Robinson, 831 F.3d at 153. Here, Defendants admit that grievance
forms were "not made available on any housing unit." They do not attempt to address or refute
the facts set forth in Plaintiffs affidavit claiming that grievance forms were made unavailable to
him. Accordingly, Defendants have not established that Plaintiff failed to exhaust his
administrative remedies. The Court therefore addresses the merits of Plaintiffs claims below.
B.
Claims Against Westmoreland County Prison and the Prison Board
Plaintiff asserts his claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In order to succeed on a Section
. 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show: (1) the conduct complained of was performed by a person acting
under color of state law; and (2) this conduct deprived the claimant of rights, privileges, or
15
immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States. 42 U.S.C. § 1983; Kost v.
Kozakiewicz, 1 F.3d 176, 184 (3d Cir. 1993).
In their Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendants Westmoreland County Prison and the
Prison Board argue they should be dismissed because, as departments of Westmoreland County,
they have no legal identity separate from Westmoreland County and are therefore not "persons"
under Section 1983. ECF No. 163. The Court agrees that the Westmoreland County Prison is not
a "person" subject to suit because the Westmoreland County Prison is, in fact, simply a building.
Accordingly, the prison must be dismissed. See Mincy v. Deparlos, No. 1:08-cv-0507, 2011 WL
1120295, at *7 (M.D. Pa. March 24, 2011) ("[A] prison or correctional facility is not a 'person'
within the meaning of§ 1983"), aff'd 497 F. App'x 234,239 n. 5 (3d Cir. 2012).
With respect to the Prison Board, as this Court has acknowledged: "[t]here is a split of
authority within the district courts in this Circuit as to whether or not a prison board is a separate
corporate entity from a county such that it does not have the capacity to be sued as a 'person' under
Section 1983." Langella v. Cty. of McKean, No. 09-cv-31 lE, 2010 WL 3824222, at *4 (W.D. Pa.
Sept. 23, 2010) (citing Goodine v. Lackawanna Cty. Sheriff, No. 4:08-cv-01898, 2010 WL
830956, at *5 (M.D. Pa. 2010) (citing cases and ultimately holding that "[a] county prison board
is a local government unit and a 'person' amenable to suit under § 1983")); D.S. v.
Hollidaysburg/Blair Cty, No. 3:18-140, 2018 WL 6590367, at *3 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 26, 2018). The
Court notes that the parties have not provided evidence regarding the role or constitution of the
Prison Board.
Even if the Court were to find that the Prison Board is a proper defendant in this case,
however, dismissal is appropriate. It is well-established that, as a local government unit, the Prison
Board is not responsible for the acts of those it supervises under a theory of vicarious liability or
16
respondeat superior. Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs. of the City of New York, 436 U.S. 658,690
(1978). Rather, Plaintiff must establish that there was a relevant Prison Board "policy or custom,
and that the policy caused the constitutional violation [he] allege[s]." Natale v. Camden Cty.
Correctional Facility, 318 F.3d 575,584 (3d Cir. 2003); see also Meyers v. Schuylkill Prison, No.
4:CV-04-1123, 2006 WL 559467, at *9 (M.D. Pa. March 7, 2006). "A policy is made 'when a
decisionmaker possess[ing] final authority to establish municipal policy with respect to the action
issues a final proclamation, policy or edict."' Natale, 318 F.3d at 575 (quoting Kneipp v. Tedder,
95 F.3d 1199, 1212 (3d Cir. 1996)). "A custom is an act 'that has not been formally approved by
an appropriate decisionmaker,' but that is 'so widespread as to have the force of law."' Id. (quoting
Bryan Cty v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397,404 (1997)).
Plaintiff fails to support any such claim against the Prison Board in this case. 4 Here,
Plaintiff claims that the Prison Board is liable in connection with his conditions of confinement
claim (Count I) and access to courts claim (Count IV).
With respect to Count I, Plaintiff does not allege that his harm was caused by the
enforcement of policy or practice, but rather by Defendants' failure to adhere to prison policy in
his particular case. As Plaintiff alleges in his Complaint, he was denied "recreation, showers and
same treatment as others housed in the (RHU)." ECF No. 59 at 3. Plaintiff does not plead facts
in his Complaint, or offer any evidence here, that the Prison Board created any custom or policy
that caused his alleged harm.
With respect to Count IV, Plaintiff asserts that "prison policy" prevented him from
accessing legal materials in a timely manner while housed in the RHU. Even assuming that the
4
At times, the parties refer to Plaintiff's hearings before a "board" with respect to his confinement in the RHU.
There is no indication that this disciplinary or review board is the same entity as the Westmoreland County Prison
Board sued herein.
17
Prison Board created this alleged policy, as discussed below, it did not result in any constitutional
violation. Accordingly, Plaintiffs claims against the Westmoreland County Prison and the Prison
Board are dismissed.
C.
Deliberate Indifference Claims (Counts II and III)
Plaintiff brings two claims that Defendants violated his Eighth Amendment rights 5 by
deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. First, Plaintiff claims that Defendant Walton,
Warden of the Westmoreland County Prison, denied Plaintiff medical treatment with respect to an
alleged toenail infection (Count II).
Second, Plaintiff claims that Walton also denied him
psychological care (Count III). 6
A refusal to provide medical care to a prisoner violates the Eighth Amendment's
prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment." U.S. Const. amend. VIII. In order to establish
such a violation, Plaintiff must prove (1) a serious medical need; and (2) deliberate indifference
on the part of the prison officials to that serious medical need. See Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218,
236 (3d Cir. 2004). For the reasons discussed below, the Court concludes that Plaintiff fails to
satisfy this burden of proof, and therefore grants summary judgment with respect to Counts II and
III.
1. Denial of medical care (Count II)
With respect to Count II, Defendants argue that the entry of summary judgment is
warranted because Plaintiffs purported toenail infection is not a "serious medical need" and
Plaintiff has not presented evidence to establish that Defendants were aware of facts to create any
\
5
Although Plaintiff asserts his claim under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, ECF No. 59, he limits his
argument in Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment to claims under the Eighth Amendment.
6
Plaintiff sued Westmoreland County Prison in connection with Counts II and III but, for the reasons discussed
supra Section IIl(B), summary judgment is granted in favor of Westmoreland County Prison. Plaintiff also sued two
medical care providers with respect to Count II, but the Court previously dismissed those defendants. ECF No. 114.
18
-
inference that a substantial risk of harm existed for Plaintiff. ECF No. 162 at 5-6. In opposition,
Plaintiff relies on medical records suggesting that he later was diagnosed with, and treated for, a
toenail fungal infection at SCI-Greene. ECF No. 177 at 19. He further claims that Defendants
were aware of his need for treatment, because he "made Defendant personally aware that he was
being denied any form of treatment" and Defendants "directed Plaintiff to be seen [by medical
staff] not once but twice still aware that Plaintiff was being denied any form of treatment." Id. at
20.
The Court agrees with Defendants that, with respect to the first prong, the record does not
establish that Plaintiff suffered from a "serious medical need" while in custody at the RHU. A
medical need is considered "serious" if it "has been diagnosed by a physician as requiring
treatment," or is "so obvious that a lay person would easily recognize the necessity for a doctor's
attention." Monmouth Cty. Correctional Institutional Inmates v. Lanzaro, 834 F.2d 326, 347 (3d
Cir. 1987) (quoting Pace v. Fauver, 479 F. Supp 456, 458 (D.N.J.1979), affd, 649 F.2d 860 (3d
Cir. 1981)); see also Palakovic v. Wetzel, 854 F.3d 209,227 n. 23 (3d Cir. 2017).
Based on the medical records provided, Plaintiffs toenail condition was evaluated by
medical providers and determined not to require treatment while he was housed in the RHU at
Westmoreland County Pr,son. The records reflect that Bickerton and Widmar evaluated both of
Plaintiffs feet, and neither diagnosed him with any condition that required treatment. Although
Plaintiff relies on records suggesting he later was diagnosed with a fungal toenail infection at SCIGreene, these records relate to treatment that was provided over a month later. Thus, even
assuming a fungal toenail infection may be a serious medical need, the record does not establish
that Plaintiff suffered from a toenail infection while in the RHU at Westmoreland County Prison.
19
As to the second prong, Plaintiff fails to establish that Walton acted with deliberate
indifference to a serious medical need. The United States Supreme Court has held that "deliberate
indifference" occurs when a prison "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 v.
Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Walton, the Warden at Westmoreland County Prison, is the
only remaining Defendant sued in connection with this claim. Plaintiff offers no evidence to
\
suggest that Walton was aware of Plaintiffs toenail condition during the relevant time period, let
alone that he was deliberately indifferent to Plaintiffs medical needs. Although Plaintiff alleges
that, at some point, he wrote a letter to Walton regarding his "conditions of confinement," there is
no proffered evidence that Plaintiff (or others) informed Walton of Plaintiffs alleged toenail
condition or requests for medical treatment, or that Walton would have reason to become aware of
Plaintiffs toenail condition through other means.
To the extent Plaintiff argues that he informed "Defendant" of his need for medical
attention, and that Defendants directed that he be seen, there is no evidence that Plaint~ff informed
Walton, as opposed to other Defendants. In the materials submitted, Plaintiff asserts that he
informed prison officials at his September 26, 2016 board hearing of "his denial of medical
treatment for his infection," after which Lowther directed that he "be seen." ECF Nos. 176-1
,r
21; 176 122. Although the hearing record reflects that Defendant Schwartz was present at this
hearing, there is no evidence to suggest that Walton was in attendance. ECF No. 175-7. Moreover,
Plaintiffs argument that Defendants directed he "be seen" by medical professionals counters his
claim of deliberate indifference.
20
In addition, the medical records and request slip suggest that Plaintiff did not submit a
request for treatment to the medical department, as required in the Prison Handbook, until
September 23, 2016. Bickerton evaluated Plaintiff the next business day. Widmar's notes further
indicate that Plaintiff had already been evaluated "several times" in connection with his purported
infection by a physician assistant and a nurse prior to Widmar' s additional examination on October
4, 2016. Plaintiff has not made the requisite showing of the essential elements of deliberate
indifference claim for the alleged denial of toenail infection care. As such, summary judgment is
warranted as to Count II, as it relates to the remaining Defendant, Walton.
2. Denial of psychological care (Count III)
In their Motion for Summary Judgment as to Plaintiffs Eighth Amendment claim for
denial of psychological care, Defendants argue that Plaintiff also fails to establish a "serious
medical need" with respect to his mental health condition. ECF No. 162 at 7. Defendants contend
that this claim rests on vague allegations that Plaintiff suffered :from a "deterioration of mental
health" without identifying a supporting diagnosis, any specific requests for treatment for a
psychological condition, or any explanation as to how Defendants' actions caused Plaintiffs health
to deteriorate. Id. Plaintiff counters by relying on records demonstrating a pre-existing diagnosis
of "other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic" mental health conditions which, he argues,
demonstrate that he had a "serious medical need." ECF No. 175-18. Plaintiff further argues that
there are "systematic deficiencies" at Westmoreland County Prison, because he was not seen by a
psychiatrist or psychologist while Plaintiff was in the RHU and claims he was told the doctor was
on vacation at the time.
With respect to Plaintiffs previously diagnosed mental illness, however, the record does
not support Plaintiffs claim that he was "denied psychological care." See ECF No. 59 at 4. To
21
the contrary, the records show that Plaintiff received ongoing psychiatric treatment in connection
with his mental health while incarcerated, including medication for the treatment of his condition
(as Plaintiff acknowledges in the Second Amended Complaint) and visits with mental health
professionals. ECF No. 175-14. At most, then, Plaintiff is suggesting that the quantity or quality
of his mental health care was insufficient.
Where, as here, an inmate is under the care of a medical professional, "absent a reason to
believe (or actual knowledge) that prison doctors or their assistants are mistreating (or not treating)
a prisoner, a non-medical prison official ... will not be chargeable with the Eighth Amendment
scienter requirement of deliberate indifference." Spruill, 372 F.3d at 236.
Plaintiff proffers no evidence to support such a finding. There is no evidence produced
from which a jury could reasonably conclude that Plaintiff was mistreated, let alone that the
remaining Defendant as to Count III, Walton-the Warden, with whom Plaintiff has not claimed
any direct interaction-was aware of, yet disregarded Plaintiffs psychiatric need. Plaintiff argues
that he needed to' see a doctor while in the RHU so that his medication could be adjusted, ECF No.
177 at 24, but Plaintiff proffers no evidence to support the medical necessity or even propriety of
doing so. Finally, Plaintiffs assertion that a single psychiatrist, "John D.," went on vacation while
Plaintiff was in the RHU (but had regularly attended to him in the past) does not establish persistent
"systemic deficiencies" of which Plaintiff claims Walton was aware. Therefore, Plaintiff has not
made the requisite showing of the essential elements of a deliberate indifference claim for the
alleged denial of psychological care. As such, summary judgment is granted with respect to Count
III, as it relates to the remaining Defendant, Walton.
22
D.
Conditions of Confinement Claim (Count I) ,
Plaintiff also asserts an Eighth Amendment claim7 with respect to the conditions of his
confinement during the month that he was assigned to the RHU. He asserts this claim against
Defendants Walton, Tomasello, Schwartz, and the Prison Board. ECF No. 59 at 3. Plaintiff claims
that the conditions in the RHU (including isolation and lack of access to showers, recreation, and
clean linens) caused his mental health to deteriorate, and alleges that Defendants knew that the
conditions of Plaintiffs confinement could cause worsening mental health problems for him,
considering his mental health vulnerabilities. Id. He also claims that the conditions caused him
to suffer physical symptoms, including constipation, chest pain and the contraction of a toenail
infection. Id.
An Eighth Amendment constitutional violation occurs when two conditions are met. First,
there is an objective requirement that the condition "be so serious as to 'deprive prisoners of the
minimal civilized measure of life's necessities,' as when it denies the prisoner some basic human
need." Harris v. Angelina Cty., Texas, 31 F.3d 331, 334 (5th Cir. 1994) (citing Wilson v. Seiter,
501 U.S. 294,304 (1991)). Second, under a subjective requirement, the Court must determine that
7
Although Plaintiff pleads his claim under the Fifth, Fourteenth, and Eighth Amendments, the parties' briefing
relies almost exclusively on the application of the Eighth Amendment. To the extent Plaintiff asserts any other
arguments, they are briefly raised with no supporting evidence and argument and/or are not supported by his
pleadings. In particular, Plaintiff states that he was denied notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard and
challenge his "prolonged solitary confinement," ECF No. 177 at 14, but such allegations are not pleaded in his
Complaint, and they are not supported by any evidence. To the contrary, Plaintiff introduces evidence that he
appeared before the disciplinary board twice to assess his confinement in the RHU, and that he informed them of the
, conditions of his confinement. Plaintiff also claims that he was denied equal protection, ECF No. 177 at 14. To
state an equal protection claim, however, Plaintiff must allege "he has been treated differently from others with
whom he is similarly situated and that the unequal treatment was the result of intentional or purposeful
discrimination." Wilson v. Taylor, 515 F. Supp. 2d 469,472 (D. Del. 2007) (internal quotations omitted). Plaintiff
does not allege that he was singled out for disparate treatment for any particular reason, and Plaintiff introduces no
evidence that would support any such allegations. Finally, Plaintiff claims in his Brief in Opposition that he was
subject to "atypical and significant" hardship sufficient to deprive him of a liberty interest, because "both expert and
Plaintiff's own testimony creates a triable issue under the Sandin [v. Conner, 512 U.S. 472 (1995)] standard." But
Plaintiff produces no deposition testimony or expert testimony in support of his claims. Accordingly, with respect to
all claims other than Plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claim, the Court concludes that Plaintiff has failed to state a
claim and/or waived his claims by failing to sufficiently brief the issues.
23
the prison official responsible for the deprivation was "deliberately indifferent" to inmate health
or safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837.
1. Serious deprivation of a basic human need
Here, Defendants argue that summary judgment is appropriate because Plaintiff has failed
to introduce any evidence that he has suffered a mental health problem as a result of his
confinement in the RHU. ECF No. 162 at 3-4. In addition, Defendants argue that, under the
PLRA, Plaintiff cannot bring a claim for mental injury suffered in custody without a prior showing
of physical injury. Id. Plaintiff, in response, points to evidence that he suffers from ongoing
mental health problems. ECF No. 177 at 3. He further argues that the subjective element is
satisfied, because the risks of prolonged isolation and solitary confinement were known to
Defendants and are well-documented. Id. at 15-16.
With respect to the objective element, as the Court previously held, Plaintiffs allegations
that he was deprived of a shower for eight days, clean linens and uniforms for two weeks, and
"recreation" for two weeks, do not, standing alone, give rise to an Eighth Amendment violation.
ECF No. 6 at 5-9; see also Barndt v. Wenerowicz, 698 F. App'x 673, 677 (3d Cir. 2017) (denial
of outdoor recreation and shower for twenty-eight days not a constitutional violation); Adderly v.
Ferrier, 419 F. App'x 135, 140 (3d Cir. 2011) (holding that denial of access to clothing, toiletries,
legal mail, a pillow, a mattress, and showers for seven days did not "constitute a denial of the
'minimal civilized measures of life's necessities"') (quoting Williams v. Delo, 49 F.3d 442, 444. 47 (8th Cir. 1995)); Harvey v. Shoupe, No. 17-49, 2018 WL 3370674, at *3 (W.D. Pa. June 11,
2018), report and recommendation adopted, No. 17-49, 2018 WL 3368736 (W.D. Pa. July 10,
2018) (denial of showers and recreation for sixteen days did not give rise to a constitutional
violation); Devon v. Warden SCI Mahoney. No. 08-1448, 2008 WL 3890161 at *4 (M.D. Pa. Aug.
24
19, 2008) (holding that thirteen days without shower, shave or recreation did not violate the Eighth
Amendment); Briggs v. Heidlebaugh, No. 96-3884, 1997 WL 318081, at *2 (E.D. Pa. May 22,
1997) (denial of shower for two weeks not a constitutional violation).
To the extent Plaintiff further argues that Defendants violated his Eighth Amendment rights
by placing him in solitary confinement, "it is undisputed that a prisoner's placement in solitary
confinement does not, in itself, violate the Constitution" and isolation "may be a necessary tool of
prison discipline." Johnson v. Wetzel, 209 F. Supp. 3d 766, 777, 780 (M.D. Pa. 2016) (citing
Young v. Quinlan, 960 F.2d 351, 364 (3d Cir. 1992), superseded on other grounds by sfatute,
Prison Litigation Reform Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997, et seq.).
In assessing whether solitary
confinement violates the Eighth Amendment, courts must look to the "duration and conditions of
segregated confinement" and the "touchstone is the health of the inmate." Young, 960 F .2d at
364.
Here, there is no record evidence to establish that Plaintiff was kept in solitary confinement
for any significant period of time. While the record is unclear as to whether and how long Plaintiff
was subject to solitary confinement, it is clear that Plaintiff was in the RHU for less than 30 days
and that he had a cellmate for at least some portion of this time. Taking all inferences in favor of
Plaintiff, then, any such confinement lasted, at most, four weeks.
Moreover, although Plaintiff claims that such conditions had a deleterious effect on his
health, he has produced no evidence from which a jury could reach this conclusion. The medical
records produced, which relate to medical conditions that occurred months or years after Plaintiffs
confinement in the RHU, do not opine as to the cause of Plaintiffs symptoms. And, in at least
one instance, the records appear to contradict Plaintiffs claims as to the source of his injury. With
respect to his alleged decreased eyesight, the medical records indicate that Plaintiff needed glasses
25
prior to his confinement in the RHU. ECF No. 175-19. 8 Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to meet the
first element of his claim. 9
2. Deliberate indifference to inmate safety or health
The evidence is also insufficient for a jury to find in Plaintiffs favor with respect to the
subjective element. Plaintiff relies on evidence that he suffered from a mental illness, and that
Defendants generally were aware of the risks of long-term solitary confinement. Plaintiff does
not, however, introduce evidence to establish either (1) that Plaintiffs mental illness made him
particularly susceptible to risk from the conditions of his confinement, and that Defendants were
aware of (yet disregarded) that risk; or (2) that Plaintiff was confined to long-term isolation known
to create a substantial risk.
In Palakovic v Wetzel, for example, the decedent's estate brought an Eighth Amendment
claim after decedent repeatedly had been placed in solitary confinement, which was the prison's
alleged "practice for dealing with mentally ill prisoners." Palakovic v. Wetzel, 854 F.3d 209, 216. 217 (3d Cir. 2017). As a result, over the course of thirteen months, the decedent repeatedly was
subjected to 30-day periods of solitary confinement, "characterized by extreme deprivations of
social interaction and environmental stimulation, abusive staff, and inadequate to non-existent
mental health care." Id. Decedent committed suicide while in solitary confinement. Id. at 217.
8
The Court also notes that, as shown in records produced in opposition to Plaintiffs previous Motion for
Preliminary Injunction in this action, Plaintiff submitted an "Inmate Request Slip" dated November 7, 2017,
approximately 13 months after the incident at issue, noting that he has "been having stomach & digestive problems
for a few years ...." ECF No. 98-1 at 1.
9
In its Report and Recommendation on Defendants' Motions to Dismiss, the Court previously declined to address
Plaintiff's allegations of"constant illumination," because Plaintiff made no factual allegations to support this part of
the claim. Plaintiff does not elaborate on this claim in the record at this summary judgment stage. The Court notes,
however, that courts have held that twenty-four hour lighting in the RHU is a published regulation of the DOC for
security purposes, and have not found this to be per se unconstitutional absent indication of excessive light and harm
requiring medical attention. See Stewart v. Beard, 417 F. App'x 117, 119-20 (3d Cir. 2011). Here, there is no such
evidence presented, and any such claim lacks merit.
26
Plaintiffs alleged that, among other things, defendants were aware of decedent's prior attempts to
commit suicide and instances of self-harm, and were also aware that the conditions of solitary
confinement generated the majority of suicides, suicide attempts, and acts of self-harm. The Third
Circuit held that these allegations were sufficient to state a claim.
Thus, in Palakovic, defendants allegedly knew of the decedent's particular propensity for
self-harm, and of the increased likelihood that decedent would (and later did) comn~.it suicide in
solitary confinement. Yet they repeatedly placed him in solitary confinement over a period of
thirteen months.
In the instant case, by contrast, there is no evidence that a one-month placement in the RHU
exposed Plaintiff to a particular risk because of his illness. To the contrary, Plaintiff argues that
he was confined to the RHU on numerous occasions in the past, yet does not allege any prior injury
as a result. ECF No. 177 at 24. And, while Plaintiff cites to cases finding a risk of harm arising
out of prolonged isolation of years or decades, he does not introduce any evidence implicating
well-known risks with respect to the, at most, period of weeks at issue here. See ECF No. 177 at
15 (citing Wilkerson v. Stadler, 639 F. Supp. 2d 654 (M.D. La. 2010) (denying summary judgment
for Eighth Amendment claims arising out of plaintiffs' 35-year solitary confinement, where
plaintiffs produced medical expert opinion of the deleterious health effects caused by their
confinement); and Shoatz v. Wetzel, No. 2:13-cv-0657, 2016 WL 595337 (W.D. Pa. Feb. 12, 2016)
(denying summary judgment with respect to claim arising out of solitary confinement for over 22
years, where expert opined on the mental health harms to plaintiff caused by this prolonged
isolation)). Accordingly, construing all of the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff,
there is insufficient evidence as to Plaintiffs conditions of confinement claim.
summary judgment will be entered as to Count I.
27
Therefore,
E.
Access to Courts Claim (Count IV)
Finally, Defendants move for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs access to courts claim.
In his Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Westmoreland County
Prison, the Prison Board, Cmar, Walton, and Lowther violated his rights to due process and denied
his access to courts by (1) obstructing his ability to utilize the internal grievance process; and (2)
limiting his access to legal materials, and the law library while he was housed in the RHU. ECF
No. 50 at 5. As a result of his limited access to legal materials, Plaintiff claims he was hindered
in his ability to prepare for an omnibus pretrial motion hearing scheduled in his criminal case on
October 26, 2016. 10
First, with respect to Defendants' purported hindrance of Plaintiffs ability to file a
grievance, this does not give rise to a Constitutional violation. "Prisoners are not constitutionally
entitled to a grievance procedure and the state creation of such a procedure does not create any
federal constitutional rights." Wilson v. Hom, 971 F. Supp. 943, 947 (E.D. Pa. 1997); see also
Stroman v. Wetzel, No. 1:16-cv-2543, 2019 WL 931653, at *7 (M.D. Pa. Feb. 26, 2019) (noting
that "inmates do not have a constitutional right to a grievance procedure").
Second, to the extent Plaintiff claims that he was denied access to courts due to restrictions
on his ability to access legal materials in the RHU, this claim also lacks merit. At the outset, the
Court notes that Plaintiff was released from the RHU on October 5, 2016 and the hearing on the
omnibus pretrial motion did not take place until October 24, 2016. The Court takes judicial notice
of the dockets of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County in the criminal case
10
Although Defendant relies solely on Plaintiffs purported failure to exhaust as grounds for dismissing Count IV
and does not brief the merits of this claim, under the PLRA, the Court has authority to dismiss claims that fail to
state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A and 1915(e); 42 U.S.C. § 1997(e). The
Court is entitled to take judicial notice of public records in considering dismissal on the pleadings. See Dinicola v.
DiPaolo, 945 F. Supp. 848, 854 n. 2 (W.D. Pa. 1996).
28
Plaintiff refers to in his Complaint. Commonwealth v. Stanford, No. CP-65-CR-0003058-2015
(C.P. Westmoreland Cty.) (attached hereto as Appendix A). Those dockets reveal that Plaintiff
was appointed counsel to represent him in his criminal case, and he was represented at his trial,
for post-sentence motions, and in connection with post-trial appeals challenging his sentence.
"[T]he settled rule is that where the state offers counsel to a criminal defendant, the criminal
defendant's right of access to the courts is satisfied as a matter oflaw." Annis v. Fayette Cty Jail,
No. 07-1628, 2008 WL 763735, at *1 (W.D. Pa. March 20, 2008); Diaz v. Holder, 532 F. App'x
61, 63 (3d Cir. 2013) ("[A]n adequate prison law library is but one of many acceptable ways to
satisfy [plaintiffs] access [to] the courts .... The right can be satisfied, instead, by appointing
[plaintiff] an attorney.").
To the extent Plaintiff was not represented by counsel for the omnibus pretrial motion
hearing he references in his Complaint, this does not alter the outcome. The criminal docket
reflects that approximately three months before the hearing at issue, Plaintiff requested to proceed
pro se, and that his counsel withdrew his representation as a result. Appendix A, at 11-12.
Plaintiffs refusal of appointed counsel and choice to proceed prose negates any claim of denial
of access to the courts. 11 Annis v. Fayette Cty. No. 07-1628, 2008 WL 763735, at *7 (W.D. Pa.
Jan. 28, 2008), report and recommendation adopted, No. 07-1628, 2008 WL 763735 (W.D. Pa.
March 20, 2008); see also Degrate v. Godwin, 84 F.3d 768, 769 (5th Cir. 1996) ("[H]aving rejected
the assistance of court-appointed counsel, [plaintiff] had n_o constitutional right to access a law
11
The Court takes judicial notice of the fact that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania routinely appoints counsel for
criminal defendants.
29
library in preparing the pro se defense of his criminal trial."). 12 Accordingly, this claim is also
dismissed.
V.
CONCLUSION ·
For the foregoing reasons, summary judgment is granted in favor of Defendants.
ORDER
AND NOW, this
_f_~
of October, 2019, upon consideration of the Motions for
Summary Judgment filed on behalf of Defendants, ECF Nos. 161 and 163, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED that the Motions are GRANTED, and Counts I, II, III, and IV of Plaintiffs Complaint
are DISMISSED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 4(a)(l) of the Federal Rules of
Appellate Procedure, if any party wishes to appeal from this Order he or she must do so within
thirty (30) days by filing a notice of appeal as provided in Rule 3, Fed. R. App. P., with the Clerk
of Court, United States District Court, 700 Grant Street, Room 3110, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
BY THE COURT:
12
Based on the outcome of Plaintiffs appeal in Commonwealth v. Stanford, No. 789 WDA 2018, 2018 WL
6818622 (Pa. Super. Ct. Dec. 28, 2018), in which the Superior Court of Pennsylvania upheld the judgment of
sentence against Plaintiff, it would also appear that any purported failure to provide legal materials did not result in
the loss of any non-frivolous claim/defense sufficient to support Plaintiffs claim. See Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S.
343, 350-53 (1996) (holding that, to establish a cognizable access to courts claim, a prisoner must demonstrate that
he has suffered an actual injury to his ability to present a nonfrivolous, arguable claim).
30
cc:
Orlando Stanford
NU 9901
SCI-Houtzdale
P.O. Box 1000
Houtzdale, PA 16698
All counsel of record by Notice of Electronic Filing
31
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?