Opinion ID: 222824
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Claims for Monetary Damages Against Defendants in their Official Capacities

Text: Barker also named as defendants one prison employee in her official capacity and ten prison employees in both their official and individual capacities. Defendants sued in their official capacities are not eligible for qualified immunity. Graham, 473 U.S. at 167, 105 S.Ct. 3099. However, to the extent Barker seeks monetary damages from these employees in their official capacities, his claims are barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Thiokol Corp., 987 F.2d at 381. Defendants asserted this defense before the district court; although they have not raised the issue on appeal, the district court's erroneous grant of qualified immunity gave them neither reason nor opportunity to do so. As a result, we find the defense not to be waived, and AFFIRM the district court's grant of summary judgment to Defendants on the § 1983 claims for monetary damages against Defendants in their official capacities. To the extent Barker seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against Defendants in their official capacities, the suit may proceed. Cf. Will, 491 U.S. at 71 n. 10, 109 S.Ct. 2304 (`[O]fficial-capacity actions for prospective relief are not treated as actions against the State.' (quoting Graham, 473 U.S. at 167 n. 14, 105 S.Ct. 3099)).