Thomas Hailstock, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Grady A. Wallace, Commissioner, South Carolina Department Ofprobation, Parole & Pardon Services, Travis Medlock,attorney General of the State of South Carolina, in Theirindividual and Official Capacities, Defendants-appellees, 940 F.2d 652 (4th Cir. 1991)

Thomas Hailstock instituted this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Sec. 1983 (West 1981), claiming that passage of a state statute extending the time period between parole reconsiderations for violent offenders from one to two years violated the ex post facto clause, U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 9, cl. 3. See S.C.Code Ann. Sec. 24-21-645 (Law.Co-op.1989). Hailstock sought injunctive and declaratory relief from incarceration and asserted a claim for monetary damages. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants.

Hailstock brought suit against defendants in both their individual and official capacities. A section 1983 action seeking civil damages against state officials acting in their official capacities is inappropriate because they are not "persons" within the meaning of the statute. Will v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 58 (1989). Defendants contend that they are entitled to absolute or, in the alternative, qualified immunity with respect to the claims brought against them in their individual capacities. We need not reach the issue of absolute immunity because we find that the constitutional question presented is unsettled and they are at least protected by qualified immunity. See Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800 (1982).

Hailstock's parole during the pendency of this appeal renders moot his claims for injunctive and declaratory relief. Accordingly, we vacate as moot the order of the district court on these claims and affirm the grant of summary judgment on the claim for monetary damages.

VACATED IN PART AND AFFIRMED IN PART.