Unpublished Dispositionjerome Sueing, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Robert Brown, Jr., Director, Michigan Department Ofcorrections, et al., Defendants-appellees, 935 F.2d 271 (6th Cir. 1991)

ORDER

Jerome Sueing, a pro se Michigan prisoner, appeals the district court's judgment dismissing his civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This case has been referred to a panel of the court pursuant to Rule 9(a), Rules of the Sixth Circuit. Upon examination, this panel unanimously agrees that oral argument is not needed. Fed. R. App. P. 34(a).

Seeking monetary, declaratory and injunctive relief, Sueing sued several Michigan correctional officials, alleging violations of various constitutional rights due to different policies and practices implemented by the defendants. The district court determined that Sueing's claims were without merit and dismissed the case as frivolous. Sueing then filed a timely appeal.

Upon review, we determine that, with one exception, the district court properly dismissed the case. Sueing's claims are frivolous because they lack an arguable basis in law. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989).

However, we determine that Sueing's claim challenging the prison rule prohibiting receipt of stamps through the mail is not frivolous. A rule restricting the receipt of stamps by inmates could materially impede the inmates' first amendment rights. See Kaestel v. Lockhart, 746 F.2d 1323, 1325 (8th Cir. 1984); Morgan v. LaVallee, 526 F.2d 221, 225 (2d Cir. 1975). Thus, to be valid under the Constitution, the restriction must be reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. See Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 84-91 (1987).

Accordingly, for these reasons, we affirm the district court's judgment in part and vacate the judgment in part and remand the case for further proceedings. Rule 9(b) (3), Rules of the Sixth Circuit.