Document: 412 U.S. 521 93 S.Ct. 2215. 37 L.Ed.2d 121 Orval C. LOGUE et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES. No. 72—656. Argued April 24, 1973. Decided June 11, Syllabus Petitioners, claiming that their son's suicide while he was confined as a federal prisoner in county jail proximately caused by the negligence of Government agents and employees, brought suit under Federal Tort Claims Act, which establishes liability for negligent acts or omissions an 'employee Government,' defined, inter alia, person officially 'acting on behalf agency . with without compensation.' The Act excludes any contractor United States from definition agency. Though finding had contracted to house prisoners its jail, District Court held liable grounds sheriff's employees negligently failed maintain adequate surveillance decedent (who attempted initially incarcerated) Deputy Marshal specifically arrange constant surveillance. Appeals reversed 'contractor' exclusion not accountable those were acting official capacity within meaning Act. Held: 1. correctly concluded that, contrary petitioners' contention, deputy marshal no authority control activities 'contractor,' 'Federal agency,' Act; statutory authorization housing state facilities clearly contemplated day-to-day operation contractor's be contractor's, Government's, hands. Pp. 526—530. 2. Petitioners' alternative contention even though might 'employees' agency, they nonetheless capacity' thus 'employee(s) Government' is consistent legislative purpose 530—532. 3. Appeals, having given consideration question marshal's apart other issues, should address itself remand. P. 2222. 459 F.2d 408 463 1340, vacated remanded. James DeAnda, Corpus Christi, Tex., petitioners. Mark L. Evans, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Reagan Logue, pending trial, fashioned noose bandage covering laceration his left arm hanged himself. His mother adoptive father sued damages 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b),1 part death son. determined Logue's result liable, awarded damages. 334 F.Supp. 322 (S.D.Tex.1971). this judgment, (1972), rehearing en banc denied, 1340 (1972). We granted certiorari order consider application case Act's 'contractor States'. 2671. 2 On May 22, 1968, Logue arrested Del Bowers bench warrant charging conspiracy smuggle 229 pounds marihuana into States. After hearing, taken Nueces County Texas, await trial. This one some 800 institutions operated local governments contract Bureau Prisons provide safekeeping, care, subsistence prisoners.2 3 day after initial incarceration commit slashing veins arm. He immediately hospital emergency room treatment laceration. While wound turned out relatively minor, admitted hospital's psychiatric floor because attending doctor's observation actively hallucinating touch reality. psychiatrist who later took charge case, recognizing suicidal tendencies, recommended officials committed medical facility rehabilitation.3 4 following day, ordered transferred pursuant 18 4244. awaiting processing papers steps preparatory actual transfer, however, made arrangements transfer back jail.4 Before informed chief jailer tendencies requested prepare special cell removed all dangerous objects used another attempt. Such prepared authorities, placed it. specific once confined, only periodic checks when reason. return Kerlix been applied 5 found there between whereby latter undertook at Christi. That court sheriff well own employee. former have 'inadequate,' it failing make 'specific prisoner.' 6 judgment Court, stating that: 7 'We interpret (18 4002) fixing status 'contractor.' Title U.S.C., Sec. 2671 .. insulates FTCA jail's employees. find support record holding power internal functions jail. marshal, accordingly, violated duty safekeeping respect deceased.' F.2d, 411. 8 makes money 'caused wrongful act omission employee ..' 1346(b). Section contains definitions: 9 'As chapter sections 1346(b) 2401(b) title, term agency' includes executive departments, military independent establishments States, corporations primarily instrumentalities agencies but does include 10 "Employee government' officers members naval forces persons capacity, temporarily permanently service whether 11 For must shown petitioners do always distinguish two theories, appear contend alternatively reason care prisoners, are of' performing services prisoners. rejected these contentions, we believe right doing so. 12 read portion Appeals' quoted supra treating exemption adopting common-law distinction employer party whom contracts specified performance. Both modern common law reflected Restatement Agency5 Texas6 servant agent relationship turn absence principal physical conduct performance contract. 13 In Maryland v. 381 41, 85 1293, 14 205 (1965), factors relied upon determining both civilian National Guard personnel rather than purposes 'supervision exercised over personnel,' id., 53, S.Ct., 1300. courts appeals occasion decide unvaryingly States' language adopts traditional principal, also critical factor making determination detailed contractor. See, e.g., Gowdy 525, 534 (CA6 1969); Eutsler 376 634 (CA10 1967); Yates 365 663 (CA4 1966); Kirk 270 110 (CA9 1959). Petitioners cite commentary (Second) Torts 409 effect shields injuries subject so many exceptions general rule 'only sense where good departing it.' Congress, course, could whose State involved, did aspects But chose this, instead incorporated definitions injury congressional choice leaves free look torts define leave them abrogate provides. 15 suggest 4042 imposes 'provide charged offenses against .' discharging Government's obligation Act.7 Muniz, 374 150, 83 1850, 805 (1963), breach imposed actionable same public authorized authorities care: 16 'For providing suitable quarters enactment Director may contract, period exceeding three years, proper State, Territory, political subdivision thereof, imprisonment, subsistence, employment such persons. 17 'The rates paid custody said shall take character furnished, sanitary conditions, quality will permit encourage reasonably decent, sanitary, healthful persons.' 4002 (emphasis added). Thus, Congress here question, operations hands contractor, role limited payment sufficiently high induce job. entered reflects similar division responsibility. undertakes accordance Prisons' 'rules regulations governing committed' These rules specify standards including methods discipline, communicating attorneys, visitation privileges, mail, services, employment. agreement gives physically supervise employees; reserves 'the enter institution reasonable hours inspecting conditions offenders housed.' 19 conclusion supported enabling statute actually executed parties. agree resultant States,' not, therefore, agency.' 20 judges dissented denial pointed contended court, here, sheriffs' 1342. If successful establishing would 'employee' 21 history referred parties sheds virtually light enacting long gestation committees has recounted Dalehite 346 15, 24—30, 73 956, 97 L.Ed. 1427 (1953), lengthy something paucity helpful committee reports point. One more immediate antecedents bill enacted contained identical language: 'and H.R. 5373, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., 101 (1942), Hearings 5373 6463 before House Committee Judiciary, ser. 13, p. (1942). appendices hearings bills compares provisions 6463, containing language, previous drafts, states present defined uncompensated temporary States.' Hearings, supra, 58. committee's affords designed cover situations 'dollar-a-year' man pay, direct supervision arrangement. 22 dissenting expressed view 'when decides particular individual assume obligations responsibilities salaried employee, very persuasive basis suggestion individual's owed class visit 1342 1343. persuaded Government, governmental supervision, treated simply tasks otherwise performed Government. law, contractors meaningless, since rare situation indeed employees.8 23 therefore County, disagree implicit ends case. sheriff, Bowers, concededly knowing prisoner's prisoner,' failure negligence. stated '(t)he appears us follow court's discussion nature intergovernmental being separate rejection himself negligent. Since distinct regarding parties' arguments addressed first instance Appeals. 24 vacate remand insofar based Bowers. 25 It ordered. 26 Vacated 27 STEWART MARSHALL join understanding remand, Bowers' alleged 'Subject 171 district courts, together Canal Zone Virgin Islands, exclusive jurisdiction civil actions claims damages, accruing January 1, 1945, loss property, personal scope office employment, circumstances if private person, claimant place occurred.' prisons prisoners: 'Such employed manufacture articles for, production supplies construction works maintenance of, imprisoned. 4002. incorporates reference standard set forth statute. There testimony twice attempts. trial normally takes about week commitment can mental institution. process expedited obtain early signed. Agency (1958): '(1) A master employs perform affairs controls service. '(2) controlled master. '(3) An him nor other's undertaking. agent.' E.g., Great Western Drilling Co. Simmons, 157 Tex. 268, 302 S.W.2d 400 (1957). argument put terms 'non-delegable duty' 4042. appeals' cases involved findings Close 130 U.S.App.D.C. 125, 397 686 (1968), summary favor observing Attorney General Columbia's jailer. expressly noted Columbia 'contract' Id., 126, 687. Witt 462 1261 (CA2 1972), supervising 'was certainly amenable degree Disciplinary Barracks,' 1264,

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