Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01402/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01402-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Dennis Smith
Respondent
Larry W. Thomas
Petitioner

Document Text:

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY W. THOMAS,

Petitioner,

v.

DENNIS SMITH,

Respondent.

 /

CV F 06-1402 OWW DLB HC

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION WITH 

LEAVE TO FILE AMENDED PETITION

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO

SEND PETITIONER BLANK PETITION FOR

WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

Petitioner is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. 

On October 12, 2006, Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus. 

DISCUSSION

A. Procedural Grounds for Summary Dismissal

Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases provides in pertinent part:

If it plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not

entitled to relief in the district court, the judge must dismiss the petition and direct the

clerk to notify the petitioner. 

The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 8 indicate that the court may dismiss a petition for writ

of habeas corpus, either on its own motion under Rule 4, pursuant to the respondent’s motion to

dismiss, or after an answer to the petition has been filed. A petition for habeas corpus should not

be dismissed without leave to amend unless it appears that no tenable claim for relief can be

pleaded were such leave granted. Jarvis v. Nelson, 440 F.2d 13, 14 (9 Cir. 1971). th

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B. Failure to State a Discernable Claim

Petitioner must state his claim with sufficient specificity. See Hendricks v. Vasquez 908

F.2d at 491-92; Wacht v. Cardwell, 604 F.2d 1245, 1246-47 (9th Cir.1979). Rule 2(c) of the

Rules Governing Habeas Corpus Action (emphasis added) states:

The petition must:

(1) specify all the grounds for relief available to the petitioner;

(2) state the facts supporting each ground;

(3) state the relief requested;

(4) be printed, typewritten, or legibly handwritten; and

(5) be signed under penalty of perjury by the petitioner or by a person authorized

to sign it for the petitioner under 28 U.S.C. § 2242.

The instant petition is incomplete. Petitioner’s claim is difficult to ascertain from the

information provided, but the petition appears to challenge Bureau of Prison (“BOP”) policy with

respect to 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b). Petitioner requests that he immediately be transferred to a

Residential Re-entry Center (“RRC”) for the remainder of his sentence. However, Petitioner

provides no factual background as to the manner the BOP is violating his rights. While it is true

several federal courts including this Court have found the 2002 and 2005 BOP regulations to be

contrary to 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) and the courts have ordered the BOP to consider the factors set

forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b) without reference to the 2002 and 2005 policies, Petitioner fails to

state how he has been affected. Although Petitioner states that he received a 140 month sentence

in which he began serving on January 19, 2000, he does not state his projected release date, and

he does not state whether the BOP has considered him for RRC placement, and if so, how long a

placement he will be given. 

From the information provided, the Court cannot determine if a violation of Petitioner’s

rights has occurred. Therefore, the petition must be dismissed. However, Petitioner will be given

an opportunity to file a first amended petition to cure the deficiencies. Petitioner is advised that

failure to file a petition in compliance with this order within the allotted time will result in a

recommendation that the petition be dismissed and the action be terminated. Petitioner is advised

that the amended petition should be titled “First Amended Petition” and must reference the

instant case number.

///

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ORDER

Accordingly, the petition for writ of habeas corpus is hereby DISMISSED. Petitioner is

GRANTED thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order to file an amended petition in

compliance with this order. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send Petitioner a form petition

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: December 8, 2006 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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