(PC) Jones v. Cannedy et al, No. 2:2010cv02174 - Document 7 (E.D. Cal. 2010)
Court Description: ORDER and FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman on 09/07/10 ORDERING plaintiff's request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis 11 is granted. Plaintiff is obligated to pay the statutory filing fee of $ ;350.00 for this action. All fees to be collected in accordance with the court's CDC order filed concurrently herewith. Service of the complaint is appropriate for all named defendants Cannedy, Hansen, Baker and Virga. The clerk of the court shall provide plaintiff a blank summons, a copy of the 08/13/10 complaint 1 , 4 USM-285 forms, and instruction sheet to be completed and returned within 30 days The clerk of court shall randomly assign a district judge to this case. U.S. District J udge Morrison C. England randomly assigned to this case. Also, RECOMMENDING that plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction be denied without prejudice. MOTION for TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 3 referred to Judge Morrison C. England Jr. Objections due within 21 days.(Plummer, M)
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(PC) Jones v. Cannedy et al Doc. 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 SHERMAN JONES, et al., 11 12 13 14 Plaintiffs, No. 2:10-cv-2174 KJN P vs. C. CANNEDY, et al., ORDER and Defendants. 15 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS / 16 Plaintiff is a state prisoner at California State Prison-Sacramento (“CSP-SAC”) 17 proceeding without counsel who seeks relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Framed as a class 18 action, plaintiff pursues this action on his own behalf and on behalf of other inmates who 19 participated in the principal underlying administrative appeal. In addition, plaintiff requests 20 leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, and moves for a preliminary 21 injunction. This proceeding was referred to this court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and 22 Local Rule 302. 23 IN FORMA PAUPERIS APPLICATION 24 25 26 Plaintiff has submitted a declaration that makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. Plaintiff is required to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. 1 Dockets.Justia.com 1 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914(a), 1915(b)(1). By this order, plaintiff will be assessed an initial partial filing 2 fee in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). By separate order, the court 3 will direct the appropriate agency to collect the initial partial filing fee from plaintiff’s prison 4 trust account and forward it to the Clerk of the Court. Thereafter, plaintiff will be obligated to 5 make monthly payments of twenty percent of the preceding month’s income credited to 6 plaintiff’s prison trust account. These payments will be forwarded by the appropriate agency to 7 the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in plaintiff’s account exceeds $10.00, until the filing 8 fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). 9 SCREENING OF COMPLAINT 10 The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief 11 against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 12 § 1915A(a). The court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised 13 claims that are legally “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be 14 granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 15 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). 16 A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact. 17 Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 18 (9th Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as frivolous when it is based on an 19 indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 20 490 U.S. at 327. The critical inquiry is whether a constitutional claim, however inartfully 21 pleaded, has an arguable legal and factual basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th 22 Cir. 1989); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227. 23 Rule 8(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure “requires only ‘a short and 24 plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief,’ in order to ‘give the 25 defendant fair notice of what the . . . claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.’” Bell Atlantic 26 Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007) (quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47 2 1 (1957)). In order to survive dismissal for failure to state a claim, a complaint must contain more 2 than “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action;” it must contain factual 3 allegations sufficient “to raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Id. However, 4 “[s]pecific facts are not necessary; the statement [of facts] need only ‘give the defendant fair 5 notice of what the . . . claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.’” Erickson v. Pardus, 551 6 U.S. 89, 93 (2007) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp., 550 U.S. at 555) (citations and internal 7 quotations marks omitted). In reviewing a complaint under this standard, the court must accept 8 as true the allegations of the complaint in question, id., and construe the pleading in the light 9 most favorable to the plaintiff. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 236 (1974). 10 The complaint herein is framed as a class action, and the principal underlying 11 administrative appeal, Log No. SAC-B-10-00206 (hereafter “Group Appeal”), was filed and 12 exhausted as a group appeal challenging the inclusion of “Non-Affiliated Black” inmates in a 13 “Modified Program” (lockdown) instituted at CSP-SAC on January 19, 2010. The complaint 14 tracks the allegations of that administrative appeal. The complaint names four defendants: C. 15 Cannedy, B-yard Lieutenant; J. Hansen, B-yard Sergeant; J.W. Baker, B-yard Sergeant; and Tim 16 Virga, CSP-SAC Warden.1 17 Because plaintiff also seeks preliminary injunctive relief, the court reviews the 18 underlying factual allegations in detail. As alleged in the complaint, the relevant facts 19 commenced January 19, 2010, with a riot between “Black disruptive groups” and “Southern 20 Hispanics” in the “B Facility” school and library at CSP-SAC, resulting in serious injuries to two 21 inmates. In response, CSP-SAC staff immediately placed “all General Population inmates 22 identified as Blacks and Southern Hispanics, and their cell mates, on a Modified Program” which 23 widely suspended prison activities for these inmates, and imposed the use of restraints and 24 25 26 1 Although the complaint states elsewhere that “there are (10) ten main defendants (and many more unlisted)” (Cmplt. at 5), this appears to be a drafting error, intended to reference the ten principal plaintiffs (id.). 3 1 escorts for their movements. (See Dkt. No. 1 (Complaint) (hereafter “Cmplt.”), at p. 292 (B 2 Facility Program Status Memo, dated January 19, 2010)). On January 21, 2010, the Modified 3 Program was broadened to apply to “all General Population inmates identified as Blacks, 4 Southern Hispanics, Mexican Nationals (Paisa), and their cell mates” pending further assessment. 5 (Id. at 30 (B Facility Program Status Memo, dated January 21, 2010)). 6 On January 30, 2010, plaintiff and others filed the underlying Group Appeal. 7 (Cmplt. at 7, 24-43.) Defendant Hansen interviewed plaintiff pursuant to the First Level Review, 8 and “partially granted” the appeal based on the inquiry he conducted. The First Level Review 9 decision states in pertinent part (id. at 34-35): 10 You have not supplied enough reliable data to verify the existence, membership, and non-involvement of any Black sub-groups included in your proposed groups labeled as “Black Non-affiliate” or as “Black Muslim.” Also, you have not fully demonstrated that the Black population which remained in B-Facility General Population after the apparently involved inmates were sent to Administrative Segregation had not been involved in the incident, are not currently involved in subverting the safety and security of the institution, and will not in the future be involved as either suspect, victim or in any other manner, in violence or any other type of ramification possibly related to the January 19, 2010 racial riot. 11 12 13 14 15 The complaint alleges that Hansen, pursuant to this First Level Review, “misquoted facts of the 16 interview” and “could not present a logical explanation as to why Black Non-Affiliates were still 17 on lock-down. At one point he ‘pretended’ to be unaware of how to distinguish between ‘Black 18 disruptive groups’ and ‘Black Non-Affiliates inmates’—as if there was no classification system. 19 [¶ ] Sgt. Hansen did agree that 60 days was ‘long enough’ for staff to figure out who the non20 affiliates were.” (Id. at 7, 8.) 21 On March 25, 2010, defendant Virga (CSP-SAC Warden) issued the Second 22 Level Review, “partially granting” the Group Appeal based on Virga’s investigation of the 23 matter. Virga concluded in pertinent part (Cmplt. at 39): 24 Your request that SAC B Yard staff cease the racial discrimination of 25 26 2 Page designations reference the court’s electronically-generated pagination. 4 1 locking down all of the African American inmates who are not classified as disruptive and not involved in the January 19, 2010 incident is denied based on your claim of racial discrimination is unfounded at the SLR (Senior Level Review). Your request to immediately restore all privileges to non-affiliated Black/Muslim inmates is partially granted based on canteen, quarterly packages, and education privileges have been restored (sic).3 You are reminded that Modified Program/Facility lockdown is used as a temporary precautionary measure to mitigate the potential for future violence. Additionally, the Modified Program will be continuously reviewed and evaluated by the Warden and departmental administrators. Every effort will be made to return to normal program as soon as it is safe to do so. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The complaint alleges that defendant Virga, like defendant Hansen “never answered the obvious 9 ‘racial discrimination’ question presented in the 602/group appeal.” (Cmplt. at 9.) 10 On June 28, 2010, the Director’s Level Review denied the Group Appeal, signed 11 by C. Holstrom, Appeals Examiner, Inmate Appeals Branch, and D. Foston, Chief, Inmate 12 Appeals Branch. (Cmplt. at 41-42.) That decision states in pertinent part (id.): 13 The appeals examiner notes that the appellant’s key argument is that black inmates who were not involved in the incident of January 19, 2010, have been unfairly punished since they have been placed on a lengthy modified program solely on the basis of their race. 14 15 . . . On June 9, 2010, the appeals examiner spoke with Facility “B” Correctional Lieutenant (Lt.) C. Cannedy regarding the status of the modified program and the reasons why all southern Hispanics and black inmates were placed on lockdown. Lt. Cannedy stated that the January 19, 2010, incident involved attacks with weapons by gang or disruptive group affiliated black inmates upon southern Hispanic inmates in classrooms and the law library. Southern Hispanic inmates sustained serious injuries. Both affiliated and non-affiliated black inmates were present in the areas where the assaults occurred. Inmates were placed on modified program pending searches, interviews and investigation. 16 17 18 19 20 21 SAC staff have continuously received information from a variety of sources that more violence will occur if any black and Hispanic inmates are placed together, regardless if the black is affiliated or non-affiliated. Lt. Cannedy stated that inmates who remain on modified program have been given access to yard exercise on concrete yards as of April 5, 2010. Outdoor yard exercise is arranged by racial and ethnic groups to prevent possible violence. SAC staff intend to begin the controlled release of nonaffiliated inmates beginning on June 14, 2010, if there is no new 22 23 24 25 26 3 See n.4, infra, and related text. 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 information of planned attacks or incidents of racial violence. Staff have repeatedly interviewed inmates and conducted central file reviews to determine which inmates can be considered unaffiliated. The examiner finds that SAC staff have properly maintained some segments of the Facility “B” inmate population on modified program based upon continuing receipt of credible information that racially based attacks will occur if any black inmates, affiliated or non-affiliated, are released and placed together with southern Hispanic inmates. There is no evidence that the modified program is discriminatory. It clearly involves distinct racial or ethnic groups (blacks and southern Hispanics) since they were involved in the violent attacks that occurred in January and intend to continue engaging in violence against each other upon release. The examiner notes that staff have progressively restored programs and privileges consistent with facility security and the results of the continuing investigation into ongoing threats of racial violence. The examiner finds that the appellant has not presented any tangible proof of his assertion that SAC staff have restricted all black inmates to a modified program due to racial discrimination. Race based program modifications are not inherently discriminatory. The current program modification is directly related to serious violence between two racial groups and the continuing threat of further violence. No relief is warranted at the DLR (Director’s Level Review). 13 Plaintiff names as defendants neither Holstrom nor Folston, but alleges in the complaint that they 14 improperly relied on the statements of defendant Cannedy at the Third Level Review, viz., that 15 Cannedy “failed to mention that Black Disruptive Groups were treated exactly like ‘Black Non- 16 Affiliated inmates’ who were not involved in racial incident,” and that Cannedy’s decision to 17 authorize the “controlled release of non-Affiliates” was improperly characterized as a “solution” 18 to the imbalanced “lock-down problem.” (Cmplt. at 11.) 19 20 21 Both the Modified Program and the ongoing assessment of the program remained in place in May 2010. (Id. at 63 (B Facility Memorandum, dated May 10, 2010)). Meanwhile, on March 10, 2010, plaintiff filed a related appeal challenging the $45 22 draw limit to prisoners on the Modified Program, Log. No. SAC-B-10-00433 (“Canteen 23 Appeal”). (Cmplt. at 8, 45-52.) Defendant Hansen interviewed plaintiff pursuant to the First 24 Level Review and, on March 31, 2010, “partially granted” the appeal based on the attendant 25 inquiry, noting that canteen access had been improved pursuant to March 10, 2010, and March 26 6 1 17, 2010, Program Status Memoranda.4 On May 5, 2010, the appeal was partially granted at the 2 Second Level Review (no written decision provided); however, it does not appear that plaintiff 3 exhausted this claim at the Third Level Review. (Cmplt. at 46.) The complaint alleges that, 4 during the First Level interview process on this appeal, Hansen “[a]gain could not put forth a 5 logical explanation as to why all blacks were being treated exactly like the disruptive groups. . .” 6 (Id. at 8.) 7 On June 14, 2010, a “categorized release” of “three Mexican National inmates and 8 three Black Non-Affiliated inmates” occurred in the Main Yard. (Cmplt. at 62 (B Facility 9 Program Status Memo, dated July 12, 2010)). “The three Mexican National inmates attacked the 10 Black Non-Affiliated inmates,” and were therefore “returned to the Modified Program with 11 Black Disruptive Groups and Southern Hispanics.” (Id.) Despite this incident, B-Facility staff 12 were instructed to continue reviewing files and conducting interviews “to prepare for a foreseen 13 attempt to resume normal yard program on Monday, July 19, 2010, with another small group of 14 categorized Black and Hispanic inmates.” (Id.) 15 The complaint alleges that defendant Baker informed plaintiff of the controlled 16 release plan a week before the June 14, 2010 incident, in response to which plaintiff informed 17 Baker “that putting ‘Hispanics and Blacks’ back on the ‘same yard’ would result in violence,” 18 and that “there would be a retaliation attack on ‘any Black,’” (Cmplt. at 11-12), consistent with 19 Cannedy’s documentation referenced in the Third Level Review that Southern Hispanics would 20 attack “any Black” if placed in “same yard” (id. at 11). 21 The complaint also alleges that B-Facility staff are intentionally setting up 22 altercations between “Non-Affiliated Black” and Hispanic inmates in order to justify 23 continuation of the Modified Program. Plaintiff directs the court to the circumstances of the June 24 4 25 26 In March 2010, minor changes were noted regarding lessened restrictions for the identified group (e.g., from “no canteen” to a $45 canteen limit, from “no education” to “authorized cell study”) pending the still-ongoing assessment of the January incident. (Cmplt. at 54 (B Facility Program Status Memo, dated March 17, 2010)). 7 1 14, 2010 incident, as well as an incident that took place on July 13, 2010, when a black inmate 2 named Broussard, released to shower, was seriously attacked by a Southern Hispanic who was 3 also released from his cell. Plaintiff claims that these incidents, and any other plans of B-Facility 4 staff to contemporaneously release selected “Black Non-Affiliated” and Southern Hispanic 5 inmates are “race-gladiator scenes” constituting a “failure to protect” plaintiff and other “Black 6 Non-Affiliated” inmates “from ‘well known in advanced (sic)’ attacks” in violation of the Eighth 7 Amendment. (Cmplt. at 19-20.) Plaintiff asserts that this conduct is “deliberate,” “knowing” and 8 “intentional,” causing plaintiff and other non-affiliated black inmates “injuries, stress, mental 9 anguish, fear, depression [and] paranoia,” and causing “‘additional mental harm,’ pain and 10 suffering” to those inmates on medication. (Id.) Plaintiff has attached copies of two unexhausted 11 administrative appeals that he recently filed which assert that the June 14, 2010 incident was 12 intentionally set up by B-Facility staff in retaliation for plaintiff’s filing of the Group Appeal 13 (Dkt. No. 1, at 57-58 (filed June 16, 2010)), and as a rationale for keeping all black inmates in 14 lockdown (id. at 59-60 (filed July 19, 2010)). 15 The complaint generally alleges that plaintiff and the other nine inmates pursuing 16 this action are all “Black Non-Affiliated” prisoners who were included in the Modified Program 17 only because of their race; that the Modified Program should only have included those inmates 18 responsible for the January 19, 2010 incident, specifically the “Black Disruptive Group” and 19 “Southern Hispanics.” The complaint alleges that the inclusion of all black inmates in the 20 Modified Program constitutes racial discrimination in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of 21 the Fourteenth Amendment. The complaint further alleges that such inclusion of “Black Non- 22 Affiliated” prisoners has resulted in significant unwarranted restrictions to inmates within this 23 group, in violation of their right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment, and their 24 Eighth Amendment right to be free of cruel or unusual punishment. The complaint alleges that 25 plaintiffs have been deprived of “basic liberties,” e.g., “access to exercise/law library/general 26 population yard/phones/full canteen/visits with family and association with fellow inmates for 8 1 legal and religious matters.” (Cmplt. at 13.) The complaint further alleges that no defendant is 2 entitled to qualified immunity since the governing legal principles were well established at the 3 commencement of the challenged conduct. (Id. at 13-14.) 4 In addition to the more specific allegations set forth above, the complaint alleges 5 that defendants Cannedy, Hansen, Baker and Virga “individually and/or worked in concert” to 6 unconstitutionally implement and maintain the challenged Modified Program to include all black 7 inmates. (Cmplt. at 12.) The complaint also alleges that defendants Hansen and Baker “had 8 face-to-face interviews with plaintiff, so were well-aware of all issues in this complaint;” that 9 defendant Cannedy “received a direct phone call from ‘3rd level-appeals office’ (an[d] gave the 10 impression he would correct the situation -- but failed to do so);” and that defendant Virga 11 “restored a few basic needs -- yet continued the constitutional violations -- which still continue.” 12 (Cmplt. at 13.) 13 In summary, the complaint may state a cognizable claim for racial discrimination 14 in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. A strict-scrutiny standard 15 applies to racial classifications in prisons, requiring that the government prove that such 16 classification is narrowly tailored to further a compelling governmental interest. Johnson v. 17 California, 543 U.S. 499, 505-07 (2005); see also, Richardson v. Runnels, 594 F.3d 666, 671 (9th 18 Cir. 2010). To meet this standard, defendants must show that reasonable minds could not differ 19 regarding the necessity of the racial classification in response to the subject prison disturbance 20 and is the least restrictive alternative, i.e., is narrowly tailored to achieve legitimate prison goals. 21 Johnson, 543 U.S. at 505; Richardson, 594 F.3d at 671. The allegations of the complaint that the 22 Modified Program implemented January 19, 2010 at CSP-SAC unnecessarily includes all black 23 inmates may state an Equal Protection claim that such classification is neither narrowly drawn 24 nor necessary to achieve the legitimate prison goals of quelling the precipitating prison 25 disturbance and reducing further associated violence. 26 The complaint may also state a cognizable claim under the Eighth Amendment 9 1 based on the constraints and restrictions on inmates’ “basic liberties” associated with the 2 Modified Program. In accordance with the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel or 3 unusual punishment, a prison must provide inmates with “adequate food, clothing, shelter, 4 sanitation, medical care, and personal safety.” Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1246 (9th Cir. 5 1982). In evaluating an Eighth Amendment “conditions of confinement” claim, each alleged 6 condition is viewed individually, not the totality of conditions. Id. at 1246-47. However, 7 “[s]ome conditions of confinement may establish an Eighth Amendment violation ‘in 8 combination’ when each would not do so alone, but only when they have a mutually enforcing 9 effect that produces the deprivation of a single, identifiable human need such as food, warmth or 10 exercise.” Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 304 (1991). The allegations of the complaint that the 11 Modified Program improperly deprives all black inmates at CSP-SAC of identified “basic 12 liberties,” particularly “in combination,” may be sufficient to state such an Eighth Amendment 13 claim. 14 The same facts may support related due process claims. “Under Sandin, a 15 prisoner possesses a liberty interest under the federal constitution when a change occurs in 16 confinement that imposes an ‘atypical and significant hardship . . . in relation to the ordinary 17 incidents of prison life.’” Resnick v. Hayes, 213 F.3d 443, 448 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting Sandin v. 18 Conner, 515 U.S.472, 484 (1995)). In addition to its “substantive” due process allegation, the 19 complaint avers that the plaintiff inmates were deprived of their identified “liberties” without 20 procedural due process. “It is well established that ‘[t]he requirements of procedural due process 21 apply only to the deprivation of interests encompassed by the Fourteenth Amendment’s 22 protection of liberty and property.’” Burnsworth v. Gunderson, 179 F.3d 771, 774 (9th Cir. 23 1999). Thus, premised on the blanket inclusion of all black inmates in CSP-SAC’s Modified 24 Program, the complaint may state both substantive and procedural due process claims. 25 Finally, while the complaint does not articulate precise connections between the 26 10 1 named defendants and the alleged constitutional violations,5 it appears for present purposes that 2 plaintiff has appropriately named those officials most likely to have responsibility for creating, 3 implementing, maintaining and enforcing the challenged Modified Program at CSP-SAC’s B 4 Facility. The court therefore finds service of process appropriate for each of the named 5 defendants. 6 On the other hand, plaintiff has not exhausted his “failure to protect” claim, based 7 on allegations that B-Facility staff are intentionally setting up staged fights between black and 8 Hispanic inmates. (This matter is addressed further below, in conjunction with plaintiff’s motion 9 for a preliminary injunction.) Similarly, plaintiff did not exhaust his “Canteen Appeal,” although 10 his broader claim—that the inclusion of “Non-Affiliated Blacks” in the Modified Program 11 unfairly deprived this group of rights and privileges associated with the General Population—is 12 encompassed within his primary Equal Protection/Due Process/Eighth Amendment claims. 13 MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION 14 Plaintiff seeks an immediate order of this court requiring “B-yard staff to stop 15 selecting Mexican (Southern-Paisa) and Black inmates for staged combat scenes on [the] general 16 population yard,” and ordering that “all Black non-affiliated inmates not involved in [the] 17 January 19, 2010 racial incident off the modified lock-down program with immediate access to 18 general population activities.” (Dkt. No. 3, at 4.) Thus, plaintiff seeks a “mandatory injunction” 19 commanding changes in current CSP-SAC policies and practices. 20 Plaintiff has not served this motion on defendants, and thus effectively seeks a 21 22 23 24 25 26 5 Vague and conclusory allegations concerning the involvement of official personnel in civil rights violations are not sufficient. See Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). Rather, such claims require allegations demonstrating an actual connection or link between the actions of the defendant and the conditions which plaintiff challenges. See Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976). “A person ‘subjects’ another to the deprivation of a constitutional right, within the meaning of § 1983, if he does an affirmative act, participates in another’s affirmative acts or omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do that causes the deprivation of which complaint is made.” Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978). 11 1 temporary restraining order.6 While it is the practice in this district to apply the same standards 2 to motions for temporary restraining orders and motions for preliminary injunction, see, e.g., 3 Aiello v. OneWest Bank, 2010 WL 406092, *1 (E.D. Cal. 2010), a temporary restraining order 4 will be granted only in the most extraordinary of circumstances. “Except in the most 5 extraordinary of circumstances, no temporary restraining order shall be granted in the absence of 6 actual notice to the affected party and/or counsel, by telephone or other means, or a sufficient 7 showing of efforts made to provide notice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b).” Local Rule 231(a). 8 9 “The proper legal standard for preliminary injunctive relief requires a party to demonstrate ‘that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm 10 in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an 11 injunction is in the public interest.’” Stormans, Inc. v. Selecky, 571 F.3d 960, 978 (9th Cir. 12 2009), quoting Winter v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 129 S. Ct. 365, 375-76 (2008). 13 In cases brought by prisoners involving conditions of confinement, any preliminary injunction 14 “must be narrowly drawn, extend no further than necessary to correct the harm the court finds 15 requires preliminary relief, and be the least intrusive means necessary to correct the harm.” 18 16 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(2). Moreover, where, as here, “a plaintiff seeks a mandatory preliminary 17 injunction that goes beyond maintaining the status quo pendente lite, ‘courts should be extremely 18 cautious’ about issuing a preliminary injunction and should not grant such relief unless the facts 19 and law clearly favor the plaintiff.” Committee of Central American Refugees v. I.N.S., 795 20 F.2d 1434, 1441 (9th Cir. 1986), quoting Martin v. International Olympic Committee, 740 F.2d 21 670, 675 (9th Cir. 1984). 22 Plaintiff contends that the present circumstances meet the criteria for issuing a 23 6 24 25 26 A temporary restraining order is an extraordinary and temporary “fix” that the court may issue without notice to the adverse party if, in an affidavit or verified complaint, the movant “clearly show[s] that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition.” See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)(1)(A). The purpose of a temporary restraining order is to preserve the status quo pending a fuller hearing. See generally, Fed. R. Civ. P. 65; see also, E.D. Cal. L. R. (“Local Rule”) 231(a). 12 1 mandatory preliminary injunction—viz., that there is a reasonable likelihood that he and the other 2 plaintiffs will prevail on the merits of this action; that the continued retention of “Black Non- 3 Affiliated” inmates in the Modified Program, and the challenged “staged” releases of black and 4 Hispanic inmates present substantial threats of irreparable harm; that the balance of equities tips 5 in plaintiffs’ favor; and that the public interest would be “well-served by protecting the 6 constitutional rights of all its members.” (Dkt. No. 3, at 3-4.) 7 While there is some likelihood that plaintiff may prevail on one or more of his 8 constitutional challenges to the Modified Program, the challenge to progressive and “staged” 9 releases of inmates is not encompassed by this suit because it has not been administratively 10 exhausted. Both matters, however, are grounded in the deliberative decision-making processes 11 of prison officials requiring deference by the courts. As noted by the Supreme Court, “the 12 problems that arise in the day-to-day operation of a corrections facility are not susceptible of easy 13 solutions. Prison administrators therefore should be accorded wide-ranging deference in the 14 adoption and execution of policies and practices that in their judgment are needed to preserve 15 internal order and discipline and to maintain institutional security.” Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 16 520, 547 (1979) (citations omitted). 17 Thus, absent a significant showing of immediate irreparable harm, this court may 18 not interpose its judgment for that of prison officials relative to matters of prison order and 19 security. “Courts . . . look at the immediacy of the threatened injury in determining whether to 20 grant preliminary injunctions.” Privitera v. California Bd. Of Medical Quality Assurance, 926 21 F.2d 890, 897 (9th Cir. 1991) citing Caribbean Marine Services Co., Inc. v. Baldrige, 844 F.2d 22 668, 674 (9th Cir. 1988) (“a plaintiff must demonstrate immediate threatened injury as a 23 prerequisite to preliminary injunctive relief”). 24 Plaintiff fails to demonstrate the possibility of immediate irreparable harm as a 25 result of the Modified Program or the metered released of selected prisoners. The challenged 26 lockdown has been ongoing since January 2010, and the calculated release of selected prisoners, 13 1 viewed most favorably to prison officials, demonstrates an intent to carefully dismantle the 2 program with minimal incident and harm to prisoners. This is not a situation where the facts and 3 law “clearly favor” plaintiff, Committee of Central American Refugees, 795 F.2d at 1441, or 4 where the court should preemptively substitute its judgment for that of prison officials. 5 Moreover, injunctive relief is not necessary to maintain the status quo. Absent preliminary 6 injunctive relief, the constitutionality of the Modified Program will proceed to trial without 7 impairment of the court’s ability to hold a full hearing and render a meaningful decision. See C. 8 Wright & A. Miller, 11 Federal Practice and Procedure, §2947 (1973). 9 This court will therefore recommend that plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary 10 injunction be denied. 11 CONCLUSION 12 For the foregoing reasons, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 13 1. Plaintiff’s request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Dkt. No. 11) is 14 granted. 15 2. Plaintiff is obligated to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. 16 Plaintiff is assessed an initial partial filing fee in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 17 1915(b)(1). All fees shall be collected and paid in accordance with this court’s order to the 18 Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation filed concurrently 19 herewith. 20 21 22 3. Service of process of the complaint is appropriate for all named defendants, Cannedy, Hansen, Baker and Virga. 4. The Clerk of Court shall provide to plaintiff a blank summons, a copy of the 23 endorsed complaint filed August 13, 2010 (Dkt. No. 1), 4 USM-285 forms, and instructions for 24 service of process on defendants Cannedy, Hansen, Baker and Virga. 25 5. Within 30 days of service of this order, plaintiff shall return the attached 26 Notice of Submission of Documents with the completed summons, 4 completed USM-285 14 1 forms, and 5 copies of the file-endorsed complaint filed August 13, 2010. The court will 2 transmit these documents to the United States Marshal for service of process pursuant to Federal 3 Rule of Civil Procedure 4. 4 6. Defendants Cannedy, Hansen, Baker and Virga shall respond to the allegations 5 of the complaint within the deadlines stated in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a)(1). 6 7. The Clerk of Court shall randomly assign a district judge to this case. 7 Additionally, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 8 1. Plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction be denied without prejudice. 9 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District 10 Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 21 days 11 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 12 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned 13 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any response to the 14 objections shall be filed and served within 14 days after service of the objections. The parties are 15 advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the 16 District Court’s order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). 17 DATED: September 7, 2010 18 19 20 _____________________________________ KENDALL J. NEWMAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 21 22 jone2174.scn.PI 23 24 25 26 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 SHERMAN JONES, et al., 11 Plaintiffs, 12 13 No. 2:10-cv-2174 KJN P vs. C.CANNEDY, et al., 14 Defendants. 15 NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS / 16 17 18 Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's order filed : 19 1 completed summons form 20 4 completed forms USM-285 21 5 copies of the File-Endorsed Complaint (Dkt. No. 1) 22 23 Dated: 24 25 Plaintiff 26 16
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