Opinion ID: 512426
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Retaliation for Prison-Related Litigation

Text: 17 Finally, Dace argues that his medium custody classification was adversely affected due to his involvement in prison-related litigation. Dace argues that under Dace v. Mickelson, 816 F.2d 1277, 1279 (8th Cir.1987), a genuine issue exists whether the custody classification regulations used to demote him contain mandatory language sufficient to create a liberty interest, see Hewitt v. Helms, 459 U.S. 460, 471-72, 103 S.Ct. 864, 871-72, 74 L.Ed.2d 675 (1983), and thus whether Dace is entitled to due process procedural protections before having his classification changed. Although expressing no opinion on the validity of Dace's argument, we think that, in view of the liberal construction given pro se prisoner complaints, Dace's argument cannot be called so frivolous as to justify summary dismissal. There is no question that state officials may not retaliate against a prison inmate for exercising his legal right of access to the courts. Johnson v. Avery, 393 U.S. 483, 485-87, 89 S.Ct. 747, 748-50, 21 L.Ed.2d 718 (1969). It is conceivable that Dace can prove facts in support of his claim that prison officials retaliated against him because of his previous use of the courts. Accordingly, Dace should be given an opportunity to further develop this claim. 18 For the foregoing reasons, the district court's order dismissing Dace's complaint is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings.