Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05801/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05801-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Bivens Act

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 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN WALKER, 

Plaintiff,

vs.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

et al., 

Defendants.

 /

1:02-cv-05801-AWI-LJO-P

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS IN PART

ORDER DISMISSING CLAIMS

ORDER REFERRING ACTION TO

MAGISTRATE JUDGE

BACKGROUND

Kevin Walker (“Plaintiff”) is a federal prisoner housed at Taft Correction Institution

(“Taft”) and is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to

Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971). 

The matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 72-302.

On October 5, 2006, the Magistrate Judge screened the second amended complaint, filed

on August 29, 2005 (“complaint”). The Magistrate Judge then filed Findings and

Recommendations that recommended the claims against Taft, Wachenhut Correctional

Corporation (“WCC”), and Taft Employees be dismissed because no Bivens cause of action is

available. The Findings and Recommendations also recommended the tort claims against the

Federal Defendants be dismissed because the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”) requires all

such suits to be against the United States only. Finally, the Findings and Recommendations

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recommended that the tort claim against the United States, alleging that Plaintiff was transferred

to a facility the United States had constructed upon soil it knew contained spores that cause

Valley Fever, be allowed to proceed because Plaintiff had exhausted his administrative remedies

on this issue. The Findings and Recommendations were served on Plaintiff, along with those

Defendants that have made an appearance in this action. The Findings and Recommendations

contained notice that any objections to the Findings and Recommendations were to be filed

within thirty (30) days. On November 13, 2006, Plaintiff filed objections to the Magistrate

Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.

DISCUSSION

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Local Rule 73-305,

this court has conducted a de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file,

the court finds that portions of the Findings and Recommendations are supported by the record

and by proper analysis. However, in light of the changing law concerning Bivens actions, the

court declines to fully adopt the Findings and Recommendations.

A. Bivens Action Against BOP Employees

The complaint appears to allege violations of Plaintiffs’ Eighth Amendment rights against

Bureau of Prison (“BOP”) Employees. In Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal

Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), the Supreme Court established a direct cause of action

under the Constitution of the United States against federal officials for the violation of federal

constitutional rights. In Bivens, the Supreme Court held that a violation of the Fourth

Amendment by a federal agent acting under color of his authority gives rise to a cause of action

for damages, despite the absence of any federal statute creating liability. Bivens, 403 U.S. at

389. The right of a Bivens action was extended in Carlson v. Green, 446 U.S. 14 (1980), to

recognize an implied action for damages against federal prison officials for violations of the

Eighth Amendment. 

The Findings and Recommendations did not address whether the complaint stated a

Bivens claim against BOP Employees. Because it appears that the complaint is at least

attempting to state an Eighth Amendment claim against BOP Employees, the court declines to

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 In making this finding, the court has not determined if the complaint in fact states an Eighth Amendment 1

claims against the BOP employees. The court only finds that potential Eighth Amendment claims against BOP

Employees should not be dismissed without further screening.

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adopt the Findings and Recommendations and dismiss BOP Employees as Defendants to

potential Eighth Amendment claims. The court will refer this action back to the Magistrate 1

Judge to screen the complaint’s allegations that the BOP Employees violated Plaintiff’s Eighth

Amendment rights.

B. Bivens Action Against United States 

The complaint appears to allege Eighth Amendment violations by the United States and

the BOP. No Bivens claim lies against the United States. Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103,

1110 (9 Cir. 1995). In addition, a Bivens action is not available against a federal agency. FDIC th

v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 484 (1994); Consejo de Desarrollo Economico de Mexicali, A.C. v.

United States, 482 F.3d 1157, 1173 (9 Cir. 2007). Thus, to the extent Plaintiff is attempting th

to sue the BOP or the United States for violations of his Eighth Amendment and other

constitutional rights, Plaintiff cannot state a claim. Accordingly, the Constitutional claims

against the BOP and the United States must be dismissed.

C. Bivens Action Against Taft and WCC

The complaint appears to allege violations of the Constitution by Taft and the company

who owns Taft, Wachenhut Correctional Corporation (“WCC”). The Supreme Court has

declined to extend Bivens claims to allow for recovery against private entities acting under

contract with the federal government, such as private prisons Correctional Serv. Corp. v.

Malesko, 534 U.S. 61, 63 (2001). Thus, Plaintiff’s constitutional claims against Taft and WCC 

must be dismissed. 

D. Bivens Claims Against Taft Employees

The complaint appears to allege violations of the Constitution by Taft Employees. The

Magistrate Judge found that a Bivens action is not available against employees at a private prison

and recommended the court dismiss these claims. While the Supreme Court has refused to

extend a Bivens remedy to suits against private entities, see Malesko, 534 U.S. at 62, the

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Supreme Court has never addressed the issue of a federal prisoner’s right to a Bivens action

against prison guards and employees at a private prison. Those courts that have addressed the

issue have indicated that the availability of a Bivens action is premised on whether there is

another remedy against the private prison employee. 

In Peoples v. Corrections Corp. of America, the plaintiff was housed at CCA, a private

Maryland corporation under contract with the United States Marshals Service. Peoples v.

Corrections Corp. of America, 2004 WL 2278667, *1 (D.Kan. 2004). The plaintiff claimed that

officers of CCA violated his due process rights as a pretrial detainee by placing and keeping him

in segregation, denying him access to a law library or legal resources, and denying him

unmonitored phone calls to his attorney. Id., 2004 WL 2278667 at *4. The district court found

that it was unlikely that the plaintiff had a Bivens action against an individual employee of a

federal contractor where alternative remedies, including state tort action, were available. Id.

2004 WL 2278667 at *3 -4. On appeal, the majority of a divided Tenth Circuit panel held that

“federal prisoners have no implied right of action for damages against an employee of a privately

operated prison under contract with the United States Marshals Service when state or federal law

affords the prisoner an alternative cause of action for damages for the alleged injury.” Peoples v.

CCA Detention Centers, 422 F.3d 1090, 1108 (10 Cir. 2005). However, an en banc panel of th

the Tenth Circuit could not reach agreement on this issue, and held as follows:

We are evenly divided, however, for substantially the same reasons as are set forth

in the panel's majority and dissenting opinions, on the question whether a Bivens

action is available against employees of a privately-operated prison. Because there

is no majority on the en banc panel, the district court's ruling in Peoples II on this

issue is affirmed by an equally divided court.

Peoples v. CCA Detention Centers, 449 F.3d 1097, 1099 (10 Cir. 2006) (en banc). Thus, in the th

Tenth Circuit, based on the district court’s opinion, it is unlikely that a federal prisoner has a

Bivens action against an employee of a federal contractor if alternative remedies are available. 

The Fourth Circuit reached a similar position in Holly v. Scott, 434 F.3d 287 (4 Cir. th

2006). In Holly, the Fourth Circuit found that an “inmate in a privately run federal correctional

facility does not require a Bivens cause of action where state law provides him with an effective

remedy.” Holly v. Scott, 434 F.3d 287, 296 (4 Cir. 2006). In making this finding, the Fourth

th

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 In making this finding, the court has not determined if the complaint in fact states an Eighth Amendment 2

claims against Taft Employees. The court only finds that the potential Eighth Amendment claims against Taft

Employees should not be summarily dismissed.

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Circuit noted that such an inmate would enjoy state law claims that a federal prisoner would not. 

Id. at 296-97.

In recommending dismissal, the Magistrate Judge relied on both Peoples and Holly. 

However, at this stage of the proceedings, it is difficult to ascertain if Plaintiff has alternative

remedies available. Given that no Defendant has answered the operative complaint, Taft

Employees have not asserted that a Bivens action is not available against them nor have they

provided their position on whether Plaintiff has any remedies under state law. As such, the

court declines to conclusively find, at this stage of the proceedings, that Plaintiff does not have

any Bivens causes of action against Taft Employees. The court will refer this action back to the 2

Magistrate Judge to screen the complaint’s allegations that Taft Employees violated Plaintiff’s

Eighth Amendment rights.

E. Negligence / Tort Claims Against BOP Employees and BOP

The complaint appears to allege negligence claims against BOP Employees and the BOP. 

The FTCA provides the exclusive remedy for “injury or loss of property, or personal injury or

death arising or resulting from the negligent or wrongful act of omission of any employee of the

Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment . . . .” 28 U.S.C. §

2679(b)(1). The United States is the only proper defendant in a suit brought pursuant to the

FTCA. FDIC v. Craft, 157 F.3d 697, 706 (9 Cir. 1998); Kennedy v. United States Postal Serv., th

145 F.3d 1077, 1078 (9 Cir. 1998). Because only the United States may be sued for injuries th

arising from the negligent acts of BOP employees, the negligence claims against BOP Employees

and the BOP must be dismissed. 

F. Negligence / Tort Claims Against United States

The complaint appears to allege negligence claims against the United States. An action

against the United States caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a United States

employee can only proceed if the claimant has first presented his claim to the appropriate Federal

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 In making this finding, the court has not determined if the complaint in fact states any tort claims. The 3

court only finds that the potential tort claims against Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC are not barred by the FTCA as

implied in the Findings and Recommendations.

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agency and had his claim denied by the agency. 28 U.S.C. § 2675(a). This exhaustion

requirement is jurisdictional and must be strictly adhered to. Brady v. United States, 211 F.3d

499, 502 (9 Cir. 2000). th

The Magistrate Judge already concluded that Plaintiff’s negligence claim against the

United States had been exhausted. As such, this action may proceed on Plaintiff’s negligence

claim against the United States in which Plaintiff alleges that he was transferred to a facility that

was constructed by the United States with knowledge that the soil upon which it was built was

contaminated with fungal spore that are known to cause Valley Fever.

G. Negligence / Tort Claim Against Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC

The complaint appears to allege that Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC were negligent in

failing to diagnosis and treat Plaintiff’s coccidioidomycosis, more commonly known as Valley

Fever. The Findings and Recommendations did not address Plaintiff’s potential negligence and

tort claims against Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC. 

A FTCA claim is only for the negligent or wrongful conduct of federal employees or

agencies. FDIC v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 477 (1994). One who is not an "employee" of the

federal government cannot subject the United States to liability under the FTCA. United States

v. Orleans, 425 U.S. 807, 813 (1976). The statutory definition of “employee” does not list

contractors with the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § 2671. Thus, it does not appear the FTCA

would apply to Taft Employees, Taft, or WCC. Accordingly, presuming the complaint states a

claim for negligence against these Defendants, the FTCA would not bar tort claims against them. 

The court declines to conclusively find, at this stage of the proceedings, that Plaintiff may

not maintain tort claims against Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC. The court will refer this 3

action back to the Magistrate Judge to screen the complaint’s allegations that Taft Employees,

Taft, and WCC committed torts against Plaintiff.

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ORDER

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The court adopts in part and declines to adopt in part the Findings and

Recommendations, filed October 5, 2006;

2. The Eighth Amendment claims brought pursuant to Bivens against the United

States and BOP are DISMISSED with prejudice;

3. The Eighth Amendment claims brought pursuant to Bivens against Taft and WCC

are DISMISSED with prejudice;

4. The negligence and tort claims against BOP Employees and the BOP are

DISMISSED with prejudice;

5. This action may proceed at this time pursuant to Bivens on the complaint’s

allegations that BOP Employees violated Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment rights;

6. This action may proceed at this time pursuant to Bivens on the complaint’s

allegations that Taft Employees violated Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment rights; 

7. This action may proceed against the United Sates on the complaint’s allegation

that United States’ employees transferred Plaintiff to a facility that was

constructed by the United States with knowledge that the soil upon which it was

built was contaminated with fungal spore that are known to cause Valley Fever;

8. This action may proceed at this time against Taft Employees, Taft, and WCC for

torts alleged in the complaint.

9. This action is REFERRED to the Magistrate Judge to screen the complaint to

determine if it legally states a claim pursuant to Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure on those claims remaining in the complaint. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 30, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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