Prison Legal News v. Stolle et al

Filing 84

OPINION AND ORDER granting 35 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying 49 Motion for Summary Judgment; granting 77 Motion for Summary Judgment. PLN's original motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to the reserved issue regarding the c onstitutionality of Defendants ' former policy on sexually explicit materials. ECF No. 35. Such former policy is declared unconstitutional as it is overbroad pursuant to the Turner analysis discussed in detail herein. The Sheriff and other named Defendants are hereby permanently ENJOINED from reverting to such policy. Defendants' cross motion for summary judgment on this issue is DENIED. ECF No. 49. PLN's second motion for summary judgment is GRANTED, and it is hereby declared tha t Defendants' former publication review policies were unconstitutional as they failed to provide adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard as to decisions made by the VBSO to censor a unique monthly publication sent to inmate subscribers. E CF No. 77. The Court likewise grants PLN' s request for injunctive relief, and the Sheriff and other named Defendants are hereby permanently ENJOINED from reverting to the prior policies that failed to provide publishers adequate notice and an o pportunity to be heard "when their publications [we]re disapproved for receipt by inmate subscribers." Montcalm Publ' g, 80 F.3d at 106. The parties are hereby afforded fourteen (14) additional days to confer on the issue of monetary damages, and the Court Strongly encourages the parties to meet in person if they are having difficulty reaching an agreement. If the parties have not reached agreement by the end of the fourteen (14) day period, they shall, separately or collectivel y, file a "Status Update" on the record including comments on whether a continuance of the settlement conference has been scheduled and, if not, whether PLN wish to proceed to a jury trial on the issue of nominal and/or punitive damages. Copies provided as directed.Signed by District Judge Mark S. Davis on 3/31/2015. (bgra)

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