Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00268/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00268-0/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 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHEN CRUMP, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

AMY COO, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

STEPHEN CRUMP,

Plaintiff(s)

 vs.

E. MOSTAFANEJAD, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 06-0267 CRB (PR)

(Doc # 2)

No. C 06-0268 CRB (PR)

(Doc # 2)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Plaintiff, a prisoner at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo,

California (“CMC”), has filed two pro se complaints under 42 U.S.C. § 1983

alleging that reception center counselors at San Quentin State Prison (“SQSP”)

misclassified him as a mental health needs prisoner and consequently improperly

placed him at CMC. He seeks damages and transfer to a level one facility.

Plaintiff also seeks to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

Case 3:06-cv-00268-CRB Document 3 Filed 01/25/06 Page 1 of 3
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DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which

prisoners seek redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court must identify cognizable

claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if the complaint

"is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be

granted," or "seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such

relief." Id. § 1915A(b). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. Balistreri

v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two 

elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States

was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting

under the color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

B. Legal Claims

Plaintiff’s claim for damages against SQSP reception center counselors is

DISMISSED under the authority of § 1915A(b) because misclassification does

not inflict pain so as to amount to cruel and unusual punishment and thereby

possibly violate the Eighth Amendment. See Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237,

1255-56 (9th Cir. 1982). Nor do changes in conditions relating to classification

and reclassification implicate due process. See Hernandez v. Johnston, 833 F.2d

1316, 1318 (9th Cir. 1987) (citing Moody v. Dagget, 429 U.S. 78, 88 n.9 (1976))

(no constitutional right to particular classification). 

Plaintiff’s claim for injunctive relief may be cognizable under § 1983 if, as

he alleges, CMC counselors are ignoring his serious safety concerns; however,

such claim must be brought in the United States District Court for the Central

Case 3:06-cv-00268-CRB Document 3 Filed 01/25/06 Page 2 of 3
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District of California, Western Division, where the County of San Luis Obispo

lies. See 28 U.S.C. § 84(c)(2). Plaintiff’s claim for injunctive relief accordingly

is DISMISSED without prejudice to filing in the Central District of California,

Western Division.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis 

is DENIED in both actions (doc # 2 in 06-0267 and doc # 2 in 06-0268) and the

complaints in both actions are DISMISSED. 

The clerk shall file a copy of this order, and enter judgment in accordance

with this order, in both actions and close both files. No fee is due.

SO ORDERED.

DATED: Jan. 25, 2006 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-00268-CRB Document 3 Filed 01/25/06 Page 3 of 3