Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_07-cv-00018/USCOURTS-ared-3_07-cv-00018-0/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

JONESBORO DIVISION

ANDREW HEARN PLAINTIFF

V. NO. 3:07cv00018 SWW-JWC

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, et al DEFENDANTS

ORDER

 On February 15, 2007, Plaintiff, a pro se inmate currently confined to the Craighead

County Detention Center, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights action (docket entry #1).

Plaintiff did not submit the $350.00 statutory filing fee or an application to proceed in forma

pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

A prisoner who is permitted to file a civil action in forma pauperis still must

pay the full statutory filing fee of $350. Id. § 1915(b)(1). Method and timing of payment

is the only issue to be resolved. Ashley v. Dilworth, 147 F.3d 715, 716 (8th Cir. 1998)

(stating that all prisoner-litigants are “required to pay filing fees in full . . . the only issue

being whether the inmate pays the entire filing fee at the initiation of the proceeding or in

installments over a period of time”). Furthermore, federal courts are required to screen

prisoner complaints seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of

a governmental entity. Should Plaintiff’s case be subsequently dismissed on the grounds

that it is: 1) frivolous or malicious; 2) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted;

or 3) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief, there is

no provision for a refund of any portion of the filing fee to the prisoner. 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(2)(B). In addition, this Court may sua sponte dismiss a prisoner’s complaint at any

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time if it determines that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

Id. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii), § 1915A(b)(1) and 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(c)(1).

So that the Court can determine how the $350.00 filing fee will be paid, Plaintiff is

required to submit either the full statutory filing fee or a calculation sheet, along with an

application to proceed in forma pauperis, prepared and executed by an authorized official

at the incarcerating facility within thirty (30) days of this order’s entry date. This calculation

sheet reflects the deposits and monthly balances in the prisoner’s account at the facility

during the six-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(a)(2). Based on this information, the Court will assess an initial partial filing fee if

sufficient funds exist and will also direct the future collection of monthly installment

payments from Plaintiff’s account until the filing fee is paid in full. Id. 1915(b)(1) and (2).

However, no prisoner will be prohibited from bringing a civil action because he “has no

assets and no means by which to pay the initial partial filing fee.” Id. 1915(b)(4).

In addition, as it now stands Plaintiff’s complaint is too vague to enable the Court

to determine whether it is frivolous or fails to state a claim for relief under § 1915A.

Accordingly, Plaintiff is ordered to amend his complaint within thirty (30) days of this order’s

entry date and to specifically state: 1) how each Defendant was personally involved in,

aware of, or had knowledge of the actions of which he complains; 2) how each Defendant

violated his constitutional rights; 3) a description of the physical injury he has sustained;

and 4) whether he sues Defendants in an individual capacity, official capacity, or both.

Plaintiff must set forth specific facts concerning his allegations including, where applicable,

dates, times and places.

In accordance with the above, IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that:

Case 3:07-cv-00018-SWW Document 2 Filed 05/14/07 Page 2 of 3
 1 Plaintiff is hereby notified of his responsibility to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) of the

Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, which provides

that: “It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk and the

other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the progress

of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. A party appearing for

himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings and state his/her address, zip code, and telephone

number. If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within

thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se

shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”

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1. The Clerk is directed to forward an in forma pauperis application and

calculation sheet to Plaintiff.

2. Plaintiff is directed to submit either the $350.00 statutory filing fee OR to

complete and sign the in forma pauperis application. At Plaintiff’s request, an authorized

official of the Craighead County Detention Center is directed to complete and sign the

certificate portion of his in forma pauperis application, along with the required calculation

sheet.

3. Plaintiff is directed to submit either the $350.00 statutory filing fee OR file the

completed in forma pauperis application within thirty (30) days of this order’s entry date.

4. Service is NOT appropriate for Defendants at this time. Plaintiff is directed

to file, within thirty (30) days of this order’s entry date, an amended complaint that contains

only the information requested in this order.

Plaintiff is advised that his failure to make a timely and complete response to

this Court’s order will result in the recommended dismissal of his case without

prejudice.

1

IT IS SO ORDERED this 14th day of May, 2007.

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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