Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_21-cv-02206/USCOURTS-caed-2_21-cv-02206-2/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WILLIAM ROUSER,

Plaintiff,

v.

KATHLEEN ALLISON, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:21-cv-2206 CKD P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a California prisoner proceeding pro se with an action for violation of civil 

rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 8, 2022, the court screened plaintiff’s complaint as the 

court is required to do under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court dismissed plaintiff complaint with 

leave to amend. Plaintiff filed his amended complaint on March 21, 2022.

As with the original complaint, the amended complaint is difficult and at times impossible 

to read because of plaintiff’s cramped handwriting. From the allegations that the court can 

decipher, the amended complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. This 

being the case, the amended complaint must be dismissed. Plaintiff will be given one final 

opportunity to state a claim upon which relief can be granted in a second amended complaint. 

Obviously, if the court cannot read the contents of the second amended complaint, it will be 

dismissed. 

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Case 2:21-cv-02206-DAD-CKD Document 17 Filed 03/30/22 Page 1 of 2
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It appears plaintiff complains about mental health treatment. Plaintiff is informed that 

denial or delay of medical care can violate the Eighth Amendment. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 

97, 104-05 (1976). A violation occurs when a prison official causes injury as a result of his or her 

deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious medical needs. Id.

Plaintiff also appears to complain about the processing of a prisoner grievance. Prisoners 

do not have “a separate constitutional entitlement to a specific prison grievance procedure.” 

Ramirez v. Galaza, 334 F.3d 850, 860 (9th Cir. 2003) (citing Mann v. Adams, 855 F.2d 639, 640 

(9th Cir. 1988)). Accordingly, the prison grievance procedure does not confer any substantive 

constitutional rights upon inmates and actions in reviewing and denying inmate appeals generally 

do not serve as a basis for liability under section 1983. Id.

As plaintiff already knows from the court’s previous screening order, there can be no 

liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unless there is some affirmative link or connection between a 

defendant’s actions and the claimed deprivation. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976). 

Furthermore, vague and conclusory allegations of official participation in civil rights violations 

are not sufficient. Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982).

Finally, plaintiff is informed that the court cannot refer to a prior pleading in order to 

make plaintiff’s second amended complaint complete. Local Rule 220 requires that any amended 

complaint be complete in itself without reference to any prior pleading. 

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

1. Plaintiff’s amended complaint is dismissed. 

2. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of service of this order to file a second

amended complaint that complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, the Federal Rules 

of Civil Procedure, and the Local Rules of Practice. The second amended complaint must bear 

the docket number assigned this case and must be labeled “Second Amended Complaint.” Failure 

to file a second amended complaint in accordance with this order will result in a recommendation 

that this action be dismissed.

Dated: March 30, 2022

1/rous2206.14 _____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:21-cv-02206-DAD-CKD Document 17 Filed 03/30/22 Page 2 of 2