Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00306/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00306-5/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RILEY NOONKESTER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-0306 RRB GGH P

vs.

TEHAMA COUNTY SHERIFF, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is confined in Atascadero State Hospital pursuant to the Sexually Violent

Predator Act (SVPA). This action is proceeding on the original complaint filed February 13,

2006, against Tehama County Sheriff Parker and the Tehama County Board of Supervisors. 

Plaintiff challenges conditions of confinement at the Tehama County jail during his incarceration

there during civil commitment proceedings.

The court has separately ordered that defendants’ motion to dismiss for failure to

state a claim be granted in part. The court also recommended that defendants’ motion be denied

as to several of plaintiff’s claims alleging violation of his right to substantive due process based

on conditions in the jail. The court also recommended that defendants’ motion be denied as to

plaintiff’s claims alleging denial of right to confidential communication with his counsel and that

jail staff read his legal mail.

Case 2:06-cv-00306-AK Document 28 Filed 11/07/07 Page 1 of 3
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Pending before the court is plaintiff’s May 10, 2007, motion for a protective

order. The court construes this motion as a motion for injunctive relief. In this motion, plaintiff

alleges that he was subjected to unconstitutional conditions during transport from Atascadero

State Hospital to the jail. Plaintiff also alleges that defendants attempted to force him to sign a

release of liability form that was presented to him as a waiver to be housed in the open

population section of the jail. Motion, p. 4. Plaintiff alleges that when he refused to sign the

form, he was threatened with placement in solitary confinement. 

On May 24, 2007, defendants filed a response to plaintiff’s motion for protective

order, construed as a motion for injunctive relief. Defendants do not specifically address the two

claims set forth above. Defendants argue that the complaint alleges that the last time plaintiff

was housed in the Tehama County Jail was December 2005. Defendants argue that plaintiff

alleges no plan, petition or mechanism whereby he would be returned to Tehama County for

confinement. 

Prior to September 20, 2006, SVP recommitments were for two year periods. 

Litmon v. Superior Court, 123 Cal. App. 4th 1156, 1168, 21 Cal. Rptr. 3d 21 (2004). Effective

September 20, 2006, SVP commitments are for indeterminate terms. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code, §

6604.

Plaintiff’s present SVP term, apparently received on or around December 2005,

must be for two years because it was imposed prior to September 20, 2006. Therefore, plaintiff

will likely return to the Tehama County Jail in the near future. Accordingly, defendants are

ordered to respond to plaintiff’s claim that he was threatened with placement in solitary

confinement if he did not sign a waiver to be housed in the open population section of the jail. 

Defendants are not required to address plaintiff’s claim concerning transportation conditions, as

the complaint contains no claims regarding this issue.

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that within twenty days of the date of

this order, defendants shall file further briefing as discussed above.

DATED: 11/7/07

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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Case 2:06-cv-00306-AK Document 28 Filed 11/07/07 Page 3 of 3