Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_90-cv-00520/USCOURTS-caed-2_90-cv-00520-1384/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 The court convened a special status conference in this matter on November 21, 2024. 

18 See October 31, 2024 Minute Order, ECF No. 8449. Lisa Ells and Jenny Yelin participated by 

19 telephone conference as counsel for plaintiffs. Damon McClain and Elise Thorn appeared as 

20 counsel for defendants. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) 

21 General Counsel Jennifer Neill and Melissa Bentz, Attorney IV with CDCR’s Office of Legal 

22 Affairs, also were present at the hearing. Id.; November 19, 2024 Minute Order, ECF No. 8465. 

23 The court confirms by this order the bench orders made at hearing. 

24 The court set the status conference based on its review of a letter dated May 1, 2024 from 

25 Melissa Bentz to Special Master Matthew A. Lopes, Jr., which Special Master Lopes appended to 

26 Part D of his Thirtieth Round Monitoring Report, ECF No. 8359. See ECF No. 8359-1 at 80-91. 

27 Ms. Bentz sent the letter in response to the Special Master’s request for documents received by 

28 defendants on or about April 25, 2024. Id. at 80. The court confirms that the Special Master’s 

RALPH COLEMAN, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

GAVIN NEWSOM, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:90-cv-0520 KJM SCR P 

ORDER 

Case 2:90-cv-00520-KJM-SCR Document 8474 Filed 11/25/24 Page 1 of 2
2 

1 powers are governed by the December 13, 1995 Order of Reference, ECF No. 640. As 

2 particularly relevant here, paragraphs B2 and B5 of that order provide, respectively, that the 

3 Special Master has the power to “engage in informal conferences with CDC[R] staff employees 

4 and appointees and such persons shall cooperate with the special master and respond to inquiries 

5 and requests related to the performance of his duties, including requests for the compilation or 

6 communication or oral or written information” and “[t]o have unlimited access to the records, 

7 files and papers maintained by defendants to the extent that such access is related to the 

8 performance of the special master’s duties under this Order of Reference. Such access shall 

9 include all departmental, institutional, and inmate records, including but not limited to, central 

10 files, medical records, and mental health records. The special master may obtain copies of all 

11 such relevant records, files, and papers.” ECF No. 640 at 5-6. 

12 Defendants shall forthwith ensure that all institution staff who interact with the Special 

13 Master or any member of his team understand the relevant provisions of the Order of Reference 

14 and that those provisions guide the Special Master’s authority to receive information from all 

15 CDCR staff and employees. 

16 Going forward, defendants shall lodge on the docket any response to the Special Master’s 

17 request for documents that questions or expresses reservations concerning the Special Master’s 

18 request. Defendants shall err on the side of caution and alert the court to any communication that 

19 will result in a delay in complying with the Special Master’s requests. The Special Master shall 

20 inform the court promptly if he believes there is unnecessary delay or resistance from defendants 

21 without notice to the court. The court may determine itself or in its discretion refer such matters 

22 to the assigned magistrate judge to determine whether the defendants’ response is consistent with 

23 the order of reference. 

24 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

25 DATED: November 25, 2024. 

Case 2:90-cv-00520-KJM-SCR Document 8474 Filed 11/25/24 Page 2 of 2