Matter of Hayward v Fischer

Matter of Hayward v Fischer 2012 NY Slip Op 08603 Decided on December 13, 2012 Appellate Division, Third Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

Decided and Entered: December 13, 2012
514273

[*1]In the Matter of DERRICK HAYWARD, Petitioner,

v

BRIAN FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.

Calendar Date: October 29, 2012
Before: Peters, P.J., Mercure, Spain, Stein and McCarthy, JJ.


Derrick Hayward, Dannemora, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany
(Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.


MEMORANDUM AND JUDGMENT

Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.

Upon the receipt of information from a confidential source, correction officials charged petitioner in a misbehavior report with making threats, extortion and engaging in violent conduct toward another inmate. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty of the charges. On administrative appeal, the finding of guilt was upheld and the penalty was reduced from 12 months to 9 months in the special housing unit and corresponding loss of privileges. Petitioner thereafter commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding.

Initially, we reject petitioner's argument that the misbehavior report was defective because it failed to provide specific dates and times of the alleged misconduct. The misbehavior report, which was the result of an investigation based upon confidential information, provided the date upon which the investigation was concluded and set forth sufficient details as to apprise petitioner of the charges and enable him to prepare a defense (see Matter of Taylor v Fischer, 74 AD3d 1677, 1677 [2010]; Matter of Willacy v Fischer, 67 AD3d 1099, 1100 [2009]). The misbehavior report, the testimony of its author and the confidential testimony and information provide substantial evidence supporting the finding of guilt (see Matter of Perez v Fischer, 89 [*2]AD3d 1310, 1310-1311 [2011]; Matter of Willacy v Fischer, 67 AD3d at 1100). To the extent that the testimony of petitioner and his inmate witnesses conflicted with the confidential information, this presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Perez v Fischer, 89 AD3d at 1311). Petitioner's contention that the Hearing Officer failed to undertake an independent assessment of the credibility of the confidential information is belied by the record, which confirms that the Hearing Officer conducted personal interviews of the informant and the investigating correction officer (see id. at 1311; Matter of Shabazz v Artus, 72 AD3d 1299, 1300 [2010]). Finally, the record reflects that petitioner was advised prior to the conclusion of the hearing that confidential testimony would be considered and that confidentiality was necessary to maintain the safety and security of the informant (see Matter of Cowan v Fischer, 64 AD3d 839, 839 [2009]). Petitioner's remaining contentions, to the extent that they have been preserved, are without merit.

Peters, P.J., Mercure, Spain, Stein and McCarthy, JJ., concur.

ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.