Source: http://il.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20080611_0000796.SIL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-01-19 06:59:55
Document Index: 284027169

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2254', '§ 2254', '§ 1915', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 2254']

| Bennett v. Walker
ALLEN BENNETT, PETITIONER,v.ROGER E. WALKER, JR., ET AL., RESPONDENTS.
Petitioner, currently incarcerated in the Menard Correctional Center, brings this habeas corpus action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 to challenge the constitutionality of his confinement. The habeas action is before this Court pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts (hereinafter referred to as "the Habeas Rules"). Also before the Court are Petitioner's motions for leave to file petition in handwritten form (Doc. 2); for leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (Doc.4); and to transfer (Doc 5).
At some point, Petitioner discovered that, in addition to his 15-year prison sentence, he was also subject to a 2-year mandatory supervised release (MSR) requirement. See 730 ILCS § 5/5-8-1(d)(1). Petitioner asserts that the MSR term impermissibly increases his 15-year sentence beyond the statutorily allowed maximum and, therefore, violates his constitutional rights.
Additionally, Petitioner challenges the loss of good time credits he suffered as a result of two disciplinary actions taken against him in December 2004.*fn1 On December 13, 2004, Petitioner was cited for possessing dangerous contraband (Rule 104) and contraband (Rule 308) after a six inch long, one-half inch wide metal slat was found in his property box. On December 15, 2008, while confined in segregation (on the contraband citations), Petitioner was cited for "601-- Aiding and Abetting, Attempt, Solicitation, or Conspiracy to 105-- Dangerous Disturbances, 206-- Intimidation or Threats and 304-Insolence" (Petitioner's Exh. D), after yelling to other inmates in the segregation unit that there were no black inmates working in the segregation unit. Petitioner contends that he was denied due process of law in connection with these disciplinary actions. Specifically, Petitioner asserts that: (1) the Adjustment Committee failed to provide him an adequate written record indicating why it disregarded exonerating evidence presented by Petitioner; (2) that the disciplinary actions were not supported by "some evidence" in the record; (3) the Adjustment Committee failed to state the disposition of the charges for the disciplinary action recommended; (4) the Adjustment Committee failed to state the reasons for recommending the disciplinary action; and (5) that the Appeal Board failed to review all of the Adjustment Committee's dispositions recommending Petitioner lose good time credits.
Petitioner contends that when he is afforded all of the "day for day" good time credits to which he entitled,*fn2 see 730 ILCS § 5/3-6-3, he is entitled to immediate release to MSR.*fn3
Rule 4 of the Habeas Rules provides that "[i]f 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." Upon review of the petition and exhibits, the Court finds summary dismissal appropriate.
1. MSRCLAIM
Petitioner's MSR claim lacks merit. Illinois statutory law requires a term of MSR be added to Petitioner's 15 year sentence, not run concurrent with or subtracted from it. See Owens v. Snyder, 811 N.E.2d 738, 746 (Ill. App. Ct. 2004) (statute requires mandatory supervised release be added to term of imprisonment). Specifically, 730 ILCS § 5/5-8-1(d) provides:
Except where a term of natural life is imposed, every sentence shall include as though written therein a term in addition to the term of imprisonment . . . . For those sentenced on or after February 1, 1978, such term shall be identified as a mandatory supervised release term. Subject to earlier termination under Section 3-3-8, the . . . mandatory supervised release term shall be . . . (2) for a Class 1 felony . . . 2 years . . . . (emphasis added).
The MSR term cannot be stricken by the courts. Owens v. Snyder, 811 N.E.2d at 746. It is clear that Petitioner's sentence of 15 years imprisonment plus 2 years MSR is imposed in accordance with state law.
While a person pleading guilty without knowledge of this additional MSR term might be able to successfully argue in state court post-conviction proceedings that the plea was not knowing and voluntary, see People v. Whitfiled, 217 Ill.2d 177 (2005), Petitioner's lack of knowledge of the additional two-year MSR term does not state a meritorious § 2254 claim under the facts of this case. As noted above, Petitioner's conviction is based on a jury verdict, not a guilty ...