David L. Stone, and Emory Hyatt, Jr., et al., Plaintiffs-appellees, v. Charles Egeler, Deputy Warden, State Prison, Jackson, Etal., Respondents-appellants, 506 F.2d 287 (6th Cir. 1974)

This is an appeal from injunctive relief granted against officers of the correction system of the State of Michigan as a result of a suit brought by two prisoners under 42 U.S.C. 1983 (1970). The prisoners had been suspected of being involved in illicit drug traffic at Jackson penitentiary in Michigan and as a result were transferred to Michigan's maximum security prison at Marquette. No hearing was held on the charges nor were they resolved by the Department of Corrections. Judge Fox, after a full hearing, held that the transfers were disciplinary in nature and occasioned 'serious and substantial deprivations' and that failure to grant a hearing represented a violation of federal due process. He entered an order enjoining such transfers absent a minimal due process hearing. He relied on Gomes v. Travisono, 353 F. Supp. 457 (D.R.I. 1973), which case was subsequently affirmed in part and reversed in part by the First Circuit, 490 F.2d 1209 (1st Cir. 1973).

Gomes v. Travisono has now been reversed and remanded by the United States Supreme Court for reconsideration in the light of Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 94 S. Ct. 2963, 41 L. Ed. 2d 935 (1974). See Travisono v. Gomes, 418 U.S. 909, 94 S. Ct. 3200, 41 L. Ed. 2d 1155 (1974).

Since Wolff is now the definitive standard for prison disciplinary cases, there is a temptation simply to reverse and remand this case for reconsideration in the light of Wolff. Our reading of Judge Fox's opinion, however, convinces us that his finding that these transfers were disciplinary and resulted in substantial deprivations was correct and that the minimal hearing standards he required were wholly in accord with those of Wolff.

Although the issue was not presented below, we have examined the question of whether or not the District Court and this court had and has jurisdiction. See Sands v. Wainwright, 491 F.2d 417 (5th Cir. 1973). As to this issue we can find no indication in this case of any attack upon a statute of the State of Michigan or upon any regulation adopted by the Department of Correction. We believe the District Court had jurisdiction and that this court has also. See Ault v. Holmes, 506 F.2d 288 (6th Cir. 1974).

We are, however, puzzled by the peremptory order contained in the last sentence of Judge Fox's Opinion and Order that petitioner 'be immediately released and discharged from further custody.' No such relief appears to have been sought in the complaint which made no attack at all upon the sentences, nor does the District Judge state any reason for the action. It may, of course, be that the District Judge was acting in awareness that appellees had completed service of their sentences as required by law, but if so, we cannot presume that the Department of Correction would fail to discharge them.

The order stated or implied in the last sentence of the District Court's Opinion and Order of December 18, 1973, is vacated and the judgment of the District Court is affirmed as modified.