Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02498/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02498-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Defendant
Richard J. Kirkland
Defendant
Jason A. McCliman
Plaintiff

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JASON A. McCLIMAN, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

RICHARD J. KIRKLAND, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 06-2498 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

(Docs # 3 & 4)

Plaintiff, a prisoner at Pelican Bay State Prison ("PBSP"), has filed a pro

se civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that he has received no

vocational training since he arrived at PBSP on March 2005 due to the decision

of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCH") to

eliminate vocational programs at high security state prisons. Plaintiff seeks

reinstatement of vocational training programs at California Level IV facilities

such as PBSP. 

Plaintiff also seeks appointment of counsel and leave to proceed in forma

pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

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
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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 allegations must be dismissed for failure to state a claim for

relief under § 1983. It is well-established that there is no constitutional right to

rehabilitation in prison. See Rizzo v. Dawson, 778 F.2d 527, 530 (9th Cir. 1985)

(no right to vocational course for rehabilitation). 

CONCLUSION

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

(doc # 3) is DENIED and the complaint is DISMISSED under the authority of 28

U.S.C. § 1915A(b).. 

The clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this order, terminate all

pending motions as moot (see, e.g., doc # 4), and close the file. No fee is due.

SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 13, 2006 CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge