Wicker v. Jackson et al

Filing 15

ORDERED that the complaint is dismissed with prejudice pursuant to 28 USC 1915A(b)(1). All motions not previously ruled on are denied. Signed by Judge Ron Clark on 8/9/2017. (bjc, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TYLER DIVISION
JEREMY DANIEL WICKER, #1732768

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VS.

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NORRIS D. JACKSON, ET AL.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 6:17cv363

ORDER OF DISMISSAL
Plaintiff Jeremy Daniel Wicker, an inmate confined at the Beto Unit of the Texas prison
system, proceeding pro se, filed the above-styled and numbered civil rights lawsuit pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 1983. The complaint was referred to United States Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell,
who issued a Report and Recommendation (Dkt. #11) concluding that the lawsuit should be
dismissed as frivolous. Mr. Wicker has filed objections (Dkt. #14).
Mr. Wicker complains that cigarettes and K2 (synthetic marijuana) are being smuggled
onto the Beto Unit. He wants the court to issue an order to have the unit searched and have the
inmates responsible for smuggling the contraband onto the unit charged with felonies. He is suing
supervisory officials at the Beto Unit for refusing to conduct a major search of the unit for K2.
He also complains about his conviction and unit lockdowns. Judge Mitchell concluded that Mr.
Wicker’s claims should be dismissed as frivolous.
In his objections, Mr. Wicker renews his complaint about cigarettes and K2 being
smuggled onto the unit. He complains that inmates are smoking cigarettes and K2 and becoming
high, which has a detrimental effect on them. He is involved to the extent that people around him
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are smoking cigarettes and K2. He complains that officials will not do anything about the
problem.
The type of claim being raised by Mr. Wicker was examined by the Supreme Court in
Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 113 S. Ct. 2475 (1993). The Court established a two-prong
test to determine whether exposure to second-hand smoke violates a prisoner’s rights under the
Eighth Amendment.

First, a prisoner must prove objectively that he is “being exposed to

unreasonably high levels of ETS [Environmental Tobacco Smoke].” Id. at 35, 113 S. Ct. at 2482.
In assessing the first factor, a court must conduct an inquiry into the seriousness of the potential
harm and into the likelihood that second-hand smoke will actually cause such harm. Id. at 36,
113 S. Ct. at 2482.

Second, the prisoner must show that prison authorities demonstrated

“deliberate indifference.” Id. Vague and speculative allegations “that allowing other prisoners
to smoke created an unhealthy environment did not sufficiently state a claim for exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke.” Harrison v. Smith, 83 F. App’x 630, 631 (5th Cir. 2003).
Plaintiff has presented only vague and conclusory claims about cigarettes and K2 being
smuggled onto the unit and smoked by other inmates. He has not satisfied the first Helling prong
requiring him to show that he is being exposed to unreasonably high levels of ETS. Furthermore,
he admits that cigarettes and K2 are not permitted on the unit and that these items are being
smuggled onto the unit. Indeed, prison rules specify that offenders found in possession of tobacco
products or similar products may be charged with a disciplinary offense.

See Offender

Orientation Handbook, pages 21-22. He has not alleged facts showing that prison authorities
demonstrated deliberate indifference to inmates possessing and smoking cigarettes and K2. In

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his objections, he does nothing more than renew his complaint about cigarettes and K2 being
brought onto the unit and being smoked by inmates. He has not alleged facts showing a basis for
an Eighth Amendment claim under Helling.
Mr. Wright also renews his claims about wanting to be released from prison, but this time
he couches his claim in terms of wanting more “free-world time,” as opposed to a challenge to his
conviction. Judge Mitchell correctly observed that a § 1983 lawsuit is the proper vehicle for
attacking unconstitutional conditions of confinement, while a habeas petition is the proper vehicle
for seeking release from custody. Carson v. Johnson, 112 F.3d 818, 820 (5th Cir. 1997) (citations
omitted). The present lawsuit is not the proper vehicle for Mr. Wright to seek release from prison.
The Report of the Magistrate Judge, which contains her proposed findings of fact and
recommendations for the disposition of such action, has been presented for consideration, and
having made a de novo review of the objections raised by Mr. Wright to the Report, the court is of
the opinion that the findings and conclusions of the Magistrate Judge are correct, and Mr. Wright’s
objections are without merit. Therefore, the findings and conclusions of the Magistrate Judge are
adopted as the findings and conclusions of the court. It is accordingly
ORDERED that the complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915A(b)(1). All motions not previously ruled on are DENIED.

So ORDERED and SIGNED this 9 day of August, 2017.

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Ron Clark, United States District Judge

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