Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-01112/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-01112-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

CENTRAL DIVISION 

STEVEN RAY WOOD 

ADC #181264 PLAINTIFF 

 

V. NO. 4:24-cv-01112-BRW-ERE 

ROOSEVELT BARDEN, et al. DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

Pro se plaintiff Steven Ray Wood, and Arkansas Division of Correction 

(“ADC”) inmate, filed this lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Doc. 2. Mr. Wood’s 

complaint alleges that Major Roosevelt Barden, Lieutenant Laquista Swopes, and 

Lieutenant Edward O’Connner have opened his legal mail. However, Mr. Wood 

does not explain whether the legal mail in question came from his attorney. A 

prisoner’s privileged legal mail is narrowly defined as “mail to or from an inmate’s 

attorney and identified as such.” Gardner v. Howard, 109 F.3d 427, 430 (8th Cir. 

1997). As a result, as stated, Mr. Wood’s complaint fails to state a plausible 

constitutional claim for relief against Defendants for interference with legal mail. 

However, rather than screen the complaint and recommend dismissal of those 

claims, the Court will postpone the screening process to give Mr. Wood the 

opportunity to file an amended complaint clarifying his constitutional claims.1

1 Screening is mandated by the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which requires federal 

courts to screen prisoner complaints seeking relief against a governmental entity, officer, 

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Mr. Wood has thirty days to file an amended complaint. If Mr. Wood files an 

amended complaint, he should specifically explain what “legal mail” each 

Defendant opened. 

Mr. Wood’s amended complaint, if filed, will supersede or replace the current 

complaint. See In re Atlas Lines, Inc., 209 F.3d 1064, 1067 (8th Cir. 2000) (an 

amended complaint supersedes an original complaint and renders the original 

complaint without legal effect). So, Mr. Wood should make sure that his amended 

complaint includes all allegations relevant to the claim(s) he wants to pursue in this 

lawsuit. Also, Mr. Wood should not rely upon, or incorporate by reference, any 

allegations made in his complaint. In other words, Mr. Wood’s amended complaint, 

if filed, will stand alone. 

Finally, in his amended complaint, Mr. Wood need only include a “short and 

plain statement” showing that he is entitled to relief, with factual allegations that are 

“simple, concise, and direct.” FED. R. CIV. P. 8(a)(1) & (d). At this early stage, there 

is no need to identify witnesses or to describe evidence that he may rely on later to 

prove his claim. 

or employee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or a portion 

thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that: (a) are legally frivolous or malicious; (b) fail 

to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (c) seek monetary relief from a 

defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). When making this 

determination, the Court must accept the truth of the factual allegations contained in the 

complaint, and it may consider the documents attached to the complaint. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 

556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009); Reynolds v. Dormire, 636 F.3d 976, 979 (8th Cir. 2011). 

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IV. Conclusion

 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

1. Mr. Wood may file an amended complaint within thirty (30) days of the 

entry of this Order. 

2. If Mr. Wood fails to file an amended complaint, the Court will screen 

the original complaint, which is likely to result in the dismissal of Mr. Wood’s 

complaint and termination of this case. 

5. The Clerk is instructed to provide Mr. Wood a blank 42 U.S.C. § 1983 

complaint form, along with a copy of this Order. 

DATED 19 December 2024. 

 ____________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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