Benjamin H. Jones, Plaintiff-appellant, v. William F. Kelly, Defendant-appellee, 900 F.2d 252 (4th Cir. 1990)

Benjamin H. Jones appeals from the district court's order granting defendant Kelly's motion for a directed verdict at the close of Jones's evidence at his trial on claims arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Jones claimed that he was denied access to a law library and outdoor recreational facilities while he was a prisoner at Wise County Jail.^*  The record below and briefs presented on appeal show that these claims are meritless.

Jones does not deny that at all times while he was incarcerated in the jail he had access to either a court-appointed attorney or a law library. This was sufficient to protect Jones's constitutional right of access to the courts; he need not have been provided with access to the law library at the same time he had full access to an attorney. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977). It is well settled that jails may provide space for indoor exercise and recreation as an alternative to outdoor recreational facilities, absent medical evidence demonstrating a need for outdoor exercise. Clay v. Miller, 626 F.2d 345 (4th Cir. 1980); Jones v. Diamond, 594 F.2d 997 (5th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 453 U.S. 950 (1981). Jones was provided with indoor recreational opportunities and does not allege any harm from being unable to exercise outdoors.

For these reasons, we affirm the order of the district court dismissing the case. As Jones failed to present a substantial question on appeal, his motion for preparation of his trial transcript at government expense is denied. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal arguments are adequately presented in the briefs and the record and the decisional process would not be aided significantly by oral argument.

AFFIRMED