(PC) Allen v. Harris et al, No. 1:2022cv00688 - Document 28 (E.D. Cal. 2023)
Court Description: ORDER to assign a District Judge. FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS to dismiss case 26 signed by Magistrate Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta on 12/1/2023. Referred to Judge Jennifer L. Thurston; Objections to F&R due within 14-days. (Lundstrom, T)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ANTHONY LEE ALLEN JR, 12 Plaintiff, 13 14 v. Case No. 1:22-cv-00688-HBK (PC) ORDER TO ASSIGN A DISTRICT JUDGE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS CASE1 A.W. HARRIS, et al., (Doc. No. 26) 15 Defendants. FOURTEEN-DAY OBJECTION PERIOD 16 Pending before the Court for screening under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A is Plaintiff’s Third 17 18 Amended Complaint. (Doc. No. 26, “TAC”). For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned 19 recommends that the district court dismiss the TAC because it fails to state any cognizable 20 constitutional claim. SCREENING REQUIREMENT 21 Plaintiff commenced this action while in prison and is subject to the Prison Litigation 22 23 Reform Act (“PLRA”), which requires, inter alia, the court to screen any complaint that seeks 24 relief against a governmental entity, its officers, or its employees before directing service upon 25 any defendant. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. This requires the Court to identify any cognizable claims and 26 dismiss the complaint, or any portion, if is frivolous or malicious, that fails to state a claim upon 27 1 28 This matter was referred to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1)(B) and Eastern District of California Local Rule 302 (E.D. Cal. 2022). 1 which relief may be granted, or that seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from 2 such relief. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A(b)(1), (2). 3 At the screening stage, the Court accepts the factual allegations in the complaint as true, 4 construes the complaint liberally, and resolves all doubts in the Plaintiff’s favor. Jenkins v. 5 McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969); Bernhardt v. L.A. County, 339 F.3d 920, 925 (9th Cir. 6 2003). A court does not have to accept as true conclusory allegations, unreasonable inferences, or 7 unwarranted deductions of fact. Western Mining Council v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 8 1981). Critical to evaluating a constitutional claim is whether it has an arguable legal and factual 9 basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th Cir. 1989); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227. 10 The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require only that the complaint include “a short and 11 plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to relief . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). 12 Nonetheless, a claim must be facially plausible to survive screening. This requires sufficient 13 factual detail to allow the court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is liable for the 14 misconduct alleged. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009); Moss v. U.S. Secret Service, 15 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The sheer possibility that a defendant acted unlawfully is not 16 sufficient, and mere consistency with liability falls short of satisfying the plausibility standard. 17 Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. Although detailed factual allegations are not 18 required, “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 19 statements, do not suffice,” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citations omitted), and courts “are not required 20 to indulge unwarranted inferences,” Doe I v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 572 F.3d 677, 681 (9th Cir. 21 2009) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). 22 If an otherwise deficient pleading could be cured by the allegation of other facts, the pro 23 se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend their complaint before dismissal of the action. 24 See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc); Lucas v. Department of 25 Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995). However, it is not the role of the Court to advise a pro se 26 litigant on how to cure the defects. Such advice “would undermine district judges’ role as 27 impartial decisionmakers.” Pliler v. Ford, 542 U.S. 225, 231 (2004); see also Lopez, 203 F.3d at 28 1131 n.13. 2 1 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF OPERATIVE PLEADING 2 Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, initiated this action by filing a civil rights 3 complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. No. 1). Before the initial complaint was screened, 4 Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint. (Doc. No. 5, “FAC”). The undersigned screened 5 Plaintiff’s FAC and found it failed to state any cognizable claim. (See Doc. No. 10). Plaintiff 6 timely filed a SAC, which he improperly designated as a “First Amended Complaint.” (Doc. No. 7 12 at 1). Plaintiff also filed additional pleadings, including an Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 8 14), a Motion to Amend (Doc. No. 18), and a Supplemental Complaint (Doc. No. 19). The 9 undersigned addressed these pleadings in a prior order, (Doc. No. 20), and deemed the improperly 10 designated First Amended Complaint as a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) and the 11 operative complaint for screening. The Court screened the SAC, found it failed to state any 12 cognizable claim, and afforded Plaintiff one final opportunity to amend his complaint before the 13 Court recommended his case be dismissed. (Doc. No. 21 at 1). Plaintiff timely filed a Third Amended Complaint (“TAC”). (Doc. No. 26). Plaintiff 14 15 attaches to the TAC copies of five inmate requests for interview, submitted between November 16 16, 2021 and April 14, 2022. (Id. at 6-11).2 The incidents giving rise to the TAC occurred at 17 Sierra Conservation Center (“SCC”). (See generally id.). The TAC names as Defendants 18 (1) A.W. Harris, Assistant Warden of SCC, (2) Correctional Counselor Montgomery/Wetenkamp, 19 (3) Correctional Counselor Anda, (4) Correctional Counselor Aldava, and (5) Correctional 20 Counselor Amescua. (Id. at 2, 4). Plaintiff’s TAC consists essentially of two paragraphs, which the Court quotes in full 21 22 below. The first paragraph, under the section of the complaint form titled “Defendants” states: 23 In the Title 15, And that was documented in the Courts and Anda basicly [sic] assisted As well as Aldava And Amescua. They all 24 25 26 27 28 The Court’s review is limited to the complaint, exhibits attached, and materials incorporated into the complaint by reference, and matters of which the court may take judicial notice. Petrie v. Elec. Game Card, Inc., 761 F.3d 959, 966 (9th Cir. 2014); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(c). While the Court accepts the factual allegations in the TAC as true, it need not accept as true allegations that contradict matters properly subject to judicial notice or by exhibit. See Mullis v. United States Bankr.Ct., 828 F.2d 1385, 1388 (9th Cir.1987); Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988 (9th Cir.), opinion amended on denial of reh’g, 275 F.3d 1187 (9th Cir. 2001). 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 had intentions on violateing [sic] my civil rights and basicly [sic] not leting [sic] me go to fire camp stateing [sic] I was to [sic] violent without fact, I had one write up for a mutual combat that was not my fault but that did not give them the right to violate my rights. And now indirect retaliation is being imployed [sic] because of this complaint. Everywhere I go. I enclosed certian [sic] request to show the process of discrimination as well as the 602’s I submitted. (Id. at 3). Under the section for “Supporting Facts” the TAC states as follows: I was discriminated against. My due process rights were violated by Mr. Harris and CCI Montgomery/Wetenkamp. Montgomery which was not even my consolor [sic] at the time went in my file and conducted a premature hearing without me knowing or present and Mr. Harris Denide [sic] my gate pass without following any guideline. 11 (Id. at 4). As relief, Plaintiff seeks $100,000 from each Defendant for lost wages he claims he 12 would have earned from participating in fire camp, plus $50,000 in compensatory damages for 13 “mental and physical suffering.” (Id. at 5). 14 APPLICABLE LAW AND ANALYSIS 15 A. Rule 8 16 To be plausible, a complaint must provide sufficient factual detail for the Court to infer 17 that each Defendant is liable for the alleged constitutional violations. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; 18 Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. A court does not have to accept as true conclusory allegations, 19 unreasonable inferences, or unwarranted deductions of fact. Western Mining Council, 643 F.2d at 20 624. Here, although Plaintiff's TAC is relatively short, it is not a plain statement of his claims. 21 As a basic matter, the TAC does not clearly state what happened, when it happened or who was 22 involved. Plaintiff's allegations must be based on facts as to what happened and not conclusions, 23 such as claiming that “all [Defendants] had intentions on violating [Plaintiff’s] civil rights . . .” 24 (Doc. No. 26 at 3). 25 Further, Plaintiff attaches six pages of exhibits to the TAC in an apparent attempt to 26 bolster his claims without specifying how they support his claims. Plaintiff states only, “I 27 enclosed certain request [sic] to show the process of discrimination as well as the 602’s I 28 submitted.” (Id.). The Court will not sift through Plaintiff's exhibits to identify instances of 4 1 purported discrimination or determine what role each Defendant played in the alleged violation of 2 Plaintiff's rights. See, e.g., Chiprez v. Warden, 2021 WL 11491547, at *2 (E.D. Cal. July 14, 3 2021) (“Plaintiff must refer to the exhibits specifically for allegations he seeks the court to 4 review. Plaintiff must set forth what each defendant did or failed to do that led to the violation of 5 his constitutional rights. The Court will not scour Plaintiff’s exhibits . . . to find a constitutional 6 claim.”). 7 Plaintiff’s allegations are rambling and conclusory. He does not state any facts or connect 8 any alleged claims or acts of wrongdoing to any listed Defendant. No Defendant could be 9 reasonably expected to understand from the TAC how he or she is alleged to have violated 10 Plaintiff’s rights. Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N.A., 534 U.S. 506, 512 (2002) (observing that the 11 purpose of the complaint is to “give the defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff’s claim is and 12 the grounds upon which it rests”) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). 13 14 Because Plaintiff’s TAC fails to set forth in short and plain statements facts plausibly entitling him to relief, it violates Rule 8 and thus fails to state a claim. 15 B. Due Process Violation 16 The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects persons against 17 deprivations of life, liberty or property. Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209, 221 (2005). Those 18 who seek to invoke the procedural protections of the Due Process Clause must establish that one 19 of these interests is at stake. Id. “A liberty interest may arise from the Constitution itself . . ., or 20 it may arise from an expectation or interest created by state laws or policies.” Id. 21 It is well settled that prisoners have no constitutional right to a particular classification 22 status, even if the classification status results in a loss of privileges. Moody v. Daggett, 429 U.S. 23 78, 88 n. 9 (1976) (expressly rejecting claim that prisoner classification and rehabilitative 24 programs invoked due process protections); Hernandez v. Johnston, 833 F.2d 1316, 1318 (9th 25 Cir. 1987) (agreeing inmate had no constitutional right to particular classification status and 26 further finding no independent right under state law). This is because decisions regarding an 27 inmate’s classification level or where to house inmates are at the core of prison administrators’ 28 expertise. McKune v. Lile, 536 U.S. 24, 39 (2002) (citing Meachum v. Fano, 427 U.S. 215, 225 5 1 2 (1976)); see also Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1130 (9th Cir. 1998). In 2002, the California Legislature enacted Penal Code section 2933.3, which permits 3 inmates assigned to fire camps to “earn two days of worktime credit for every one day of service” 4 for work performed after January 1, 2003. Regulations adopted in the wake of this change 5 established a new work group F, for inmates assigned to “full-time conservation camp work,” 6 who “shall be awarded two days credit for each day of qualifying performance.” 15 Cal.Code 7 Regs. § 3044(b)(1). “[A]ll assignments or reassignments of an inmate to a work/training 8 incentive group shall be made by a classification committee in accordance with this section.” Id.; 9 see also DOM §§ 51130.8 (Classification Committee evaluates escape potential when considering 10 camp placement), 62010.3.2 (duties of Associate Warden, member of Classification Committee, 11 include approval of camp placement), 62010.8 (duties of Institution Classification Committees 12 include program participation and transfer) & 62010.8.4 (duties of Unit Classification Committee 13 (UCC) include program and transfer); see also Basque v. Schwartz, 2010 WL 120764, at *2 (E.D. 14 Cal. Jan. 7, 2010). 15 Liberally construed, Plaintiff alleges that prison officials violated his due process rights by 16 holding a classification committee hearing without his participation and issuing a decision which 17 resulted in him being denied participation in fire camp and access to a gate pass. (See Doc. No. 18 26). However, it is well-settled that inmates do not have a liberty interest in participation in 19 prison work or rehabilitative programs, such as fire camp. See Moody, 429 U.S. at 88 n. 9; 20 Hernandez, 833 F.2d at 1318. Therefore, no due process rights attached to a classification 21 committee decision regarding Plaintiff’s eligibility for fire camp. Even if prison officials did not 22 fully comply with the procedures set forth in Title 15 regarding classification committee decisions 23 for work camp eligibility, which the TAC has not alleged with any specificity, there is no federal 24 constitutional liberty interest in compliance with state prison regulations. Solomon v. Felker, 25 2013 WL 5375538, at *12 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2013) (“Plaintiff’s allegation that the defendants 26 failed to adhere to the prison’s own institutional policies and procedures does not, by itself” give 27 rise to a constitutional violation); Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 481–82, (1995) (recognizing 28 prison regulations are “primarily designed to guide correctional officials in the administration of a 6 1 prison” and are “not designed to confer rights on inmates”); Hovater v. Robinson, 1 F.3d 1063, 2 1068 n. 4 (10th Cir. 1993) (“[A] failure to adhere to administrative regulations does not equate to 3 a constitutional violation.”); see also Armstrong v. Warden of USP Atwater, 2011 WL 2553266, 4 at *8 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 2011) (citing same). Thus, Plaintiff cannot establish a liberty interest 5 associated with the classification change denying him participation in Work Group F, and thus the 6 TAC fails to state a Fourteenth Amendment due process violation. 7 8 9 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION Plaintiff has had multiple opportunities to cure the deficiencies in his initial complaint, including filing four amended complaints (two of which were stricken as procedurally defective). 10 (See Doc. Nos. 5, 12, 14, 26). In two prior screening orders, (Doc. No. 10, 21), the Court 11 instructed Plaintiff on the applicable law and pleading requirements. Despite affording Plaintiff 12 multiple opportunities to correct the deficiencies in his original Complaint, the TAC fails to 13 adequately state any plausible § 1983 claim. The undersigned finds any further leave to amend 14 would be futile. This is Plaintiff’s third attempt at filing a cognizable complaint and he is no 15 closer to meeting the federal pleading standards. Thus, the undersigned recommends the district 16 court dismiss the TAC without further leave to amend. McKinney v. Baca, 250 F. App’x 781 (9th 17 Cir. 2007) citing Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1261 (9th Cir. 1992) (noting discretion to 18 deny leave to amend is particularly broad where court has afforded plaintiff one or more 19 opportunities to amend his complaint); see also Saul v. United States, 928 F.2d 829, 843 (9th Cir. 20 1991) (A district court can deny leave “where the amendment would be futile . . . or where the 21 amended complaint would be subject to dismissal”). 22 Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED: 23 The Clerk of Court is directed to assign a district judge to this case. 24 It is further RECOMMENDED: 25 The TAC be dismissed under § 1915A for failure to state a claim and the action be 26 27 28 dismissed. NOTICE TO PARTIES These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United States district judge 7 1 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen (14) 2 days after being served with these findings and recommendations, a party may file written 3 objections with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s 4 Findings and Recommendations.” Parties are advised that failure to file objections within the 5 specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 6 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). 7 8 Dated: December 1, 2023 HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 8
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