Source: http://in.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180322_0000409.SIN.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 04:43:16+00:00

Document:
D. FISH Sergeant/Correctional Officer, Defendant.
Plaintiff Donald Stone filed this action on September 6, 2017, contending that his constitutional rights were violated while he was incarcerated in the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). Specifically, Mr. Stone claims that Lieutenant Dustin Fish slammed him to the ground with excessive force, injuring his shoulder. Defendant Fish has moved for summary judgment, arguing that Mr. Stone failed to exhaust his available administrative remedies as required by the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a), before filing this lawsuit. Mr. Stone has not responded to the motion.
Summary judgment should be granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). The party seeking summary judgment “bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying” designated evidence which “demonstrate[s] the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986).
Once the moving party has met its burden, the non-movant may not rest upon mere allegations. Instead, “[t]o successfully oppose a motion for summary judgment, the nonmoving party must come forward with specific facts demonstrating that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Trask-Morton v. Motel 6 Operating L.P., 534 F.3d 672, 677 (7th Cir. 2008). “The non-movant will successfully oppose summary judgment only when it presents definite, competent evidence to rebut the motion.” Vukadinovich v. Bd. of Sch. Trs., 278 F.3d 693, 699 (7th Cir. 2002) (internal quotation and citation omitted).
In accordance with Local Rule 56-1(f), the Court assumes that facts properly supported by the movant are admitted without controversy unless the nonmovant specifically disputes them. Therefore, a nonmovant who fails to respond to a motion for summary judgment effectively concedes that the movant's version of the facts is accurate. Smith v. Lamz, 321 F.3d 680, 683 (7th Cir. 2003) (“[F]ailure to respond by the nonmovant as mandated by the local rules results in an admission.”). This does not alter the standard for assessing a Rule 56 motion, but it does “reduc[e] the pool” from which the facts and inferences relative to such a motion may be drawn. Smith v. Severn, 129 F.3d 419, 426 (7th Cir. 1997).
At all times relevant to his Complaint, Mr. Stone was confined by the IDOC at Plainfield Correctional Facility (PCF). The IDOC has an Offender Grievance Process that is intended to permit inmates to resolve concerns and complaints relating to their conditions of confinement prior to filing suit in court. According to IDOC policy, an inmate is provided with information about the Offender Grievance Process during admission and orientation upon arrival at an IDOC facility.
The Offender Grievance Process consists of three steps. It begins with the offender contacting staff to discuss the matter or incident subject to the grievance and seeking informal resolution. This step must be completed within five (5) business days from the date of the incident. If the offender is unable to obtain a resolution of the grievance informally, he may submit a formal grievance to the Offender Grievance Specialist of the facility where the incident occurred. A formal grievance must be filed within twenty (20) working days from the date of the alleged incident. If the formal written grievance is not resolved in a manner that satisfies the offender, he may submit an appeal. Exhaustion of the grievance procedure requires pursuing a grievance to the final step.
The IDOC maintains records of all informal grievances, formal grievances, and appeals filed by offenders. The IDOC's records reflect that Mr. Stone did not file any grievances while incarcerated in the IDOC.

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