Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00233/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00233-0/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

 PINE BLUFF DIVISION

JOE PERRY, JR., PLAINTIFF

ADC #155237 

V. CASE NO. 5:15-CV-00233 KGB/BD

JOHN LOWE, et al. DEFENDANTS

RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION

I. Procedures for Filing Objections: 

This Recommended Disposition (“Recommendation”) has been sent to United

States District Judge Kristine G. Baker. You may file written objections to this

Recommendation. If you file objections, they must be specific and must include the

factual or legal basis for your objection. Your objections must be received in the office of

the United States District Court Clerk within fourteen (14) days of this Recommendation. 

If no objections are filed, Judge Baker can adopt this Recommendation without

independently reviewing the record. By not objecting, you may also waive any right to

appeal questions of fact.

II. Discussion:

 Plaintiff Joe Perry, Jr., an inmate at the Tucker Unit of the Arkansas Department

of Correction (“ADC”), filed this case pro se under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Docket entry #1) 

In his complaint, Mr. Perry raises an access-to-the-courts claim against the Defendants. 

(#1) He specifically alleges that Defendants Lowe and Williams have not provided him

with forms for his bankruptcy case in a timely manner and that Defendant Kelley failed to

Case 5:15-cv-00233-KGB Document 7 Filed 08/27/15 Page 1 of 2
take corrective action. (#1) Because Mr. Perry failed to state how he was injured, the

Court provided Mr. Perry an opportunity to amend his complaint and explain what injury

he suffered. (#5) 

Mr. Perry filed an amended complaint on August 26, 2015. (#6) He states that the

injury he suffered was mental anguish and emotional distress. (#6) Unfortunately for Mr.

Perry, mental anguish and emotional distress are not a sufficient injury for an access-tothe-courts claim.

1 Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 355 (1996); Klinger v. Dep’t of Corr.,

107 F.3d 609, 617 (8th Cir. 1997) (holding that a prisoner must assert an actual injury in

order to proceed with an access-to-the-courts claim). Accordingly, his claim does not rise

to the level of a constitutional violation.

III. Conclusion

The Court recommends that Mr. Perry’s claims be DISMISSED, without

prejudice. 

Dated this 27th day of August, 2015.

 ___________________________________

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

1Mr. Perry cites to a case to support his assertion that mental anguish and emotional

distress are a sufficient injury; however, this case was overruled based on the Supreme Court

decision of Lewis v. Casey. Klinger v. Nebraska Dept. Of Correctional Servs., 902 F.Supp. 1036

(D. Neb. 1995), overruled by Klinger v. Dept. of Corr., 107 F.3d 609, 616-617 (8th Cir. 1997).

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