Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01531/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01531-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER C. CLOSE, )

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Petitioner, )

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v. )

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DENNIS SMITH, )

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Respondent. )

 )

1:06-CV-01531 AWI LJO HC

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION WITH 

LEAVE TO FILE AMENDED PETITION

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT

TO SEND PETITIONER BLANK PETITION

FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

Petitioner is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. This action has been referred to this Court pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 72-302.

On October 31, 2006, Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus in this

Court. 

DISCUSSION

A. Procedural Grounds for Summary Dismissal

Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases provides in pertinent part:

If it plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not

entitled to relief in the district court, the judge must dismiss the petition and direct the clerk

to notify the petitioner. 

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The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 8 indicate that the court may dismiss a petition for writ of

habeas corpus, either on its own motion under Rule 4, pursuant to the respondent’s motion to

dismiss, or after an answer to the petition has been filed. A petition for habeas corpus should not be

dismissed without leave to amend unless it appears that no tenable claim for relief can be pleaded

were such leave granted. Jarvis v. Nelson, 440 F.2d 13, 14 (9 Cir. 1971). th

B. Failure to State a Discernable Claim

Petitioner must state his claim with sufficient specificity. See Hendricks v. Vasquez 908 F.2d

at 491-92; Wacht v. Cardwell, 604 F.2d 1245, 1246-47 (9th Cir.1979). Rule 2(c) of the Rules

Governing Habeas Corpus Action (emphasis added) states:

The petition must:

(1) specify all the grounds for relief available to the petitioner;

(2) state the facts supporting each ground;

(3) state the relief requested;

(4) be printed, typewritten, or legibly handwritten; and

(5) be signed under penalty of perjury by the petitioner or by a person authorized to

sign it for the petitioner under 28 U.S.C. § 2242.

The instant petition is incomplete. Petitioner’s claim is difficult to ascertain from the

information provided, but the petition appears to challenge Bureau of Prison (“BOP”) policy with

respect to 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b). Petitioner requests that he immediately be transferred to a

Residential Re-entry Center (“RRC”) for the remainder of his sentence. However, Petitioner

provides no factual background as to the manner the BOP is violating his rights. While it is true

several federal courts including this Court have found the 2002 and 2005 BOP regulations to be

contrary to 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) and the courts have ordered the BOP to consider the factors set forth

in 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) without reference to the 2002 and 2005 policies, Petitioner fails to state how

he has been affected. He does not set forth the length of his sentence, he does not state his projected

release date, and he does not state whether the BOP has considered him for RRC placement, and if

so, how long a placement he will be given. 

From the information provided, the Court cannot determine if a violation of Petitioner’s

rights has occurred. Therefore, the petition must be dismissed. However, Petitioner will be given an

opportunity to file a first amended petition to cure the deficiencies. Petitioner is advised that failure

to file a petition in compliance with this order within the allotted time will result in a

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recommendation that the petition be dismissed and the action be terminated. Petitioner is advised

that the amended petition should be titled “First Amended Petition” and must reference the instant

case number.

ORDER

Accordingly, the petition for writ of habeas corpus is hereby DISMISSED. Petitioner is

GRANTED thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order to file an amended petition in

compliance with this order. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send Petitioner a form petition

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 29, 2006 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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