Opinion ID: 739082
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Equal Protection Theory

Text: 43 The generally applicable legal standards are noted in our discussion under subpart II(C), supra. And, much of what we have said regarding the writ writer retaliation theory is likewise applicable to the writ writer equal protection theory, including the fact, fatal to the judgment below, that the magistrate judge proceeded on the erroneous assumption that any and all writ writing was constitutionally protected. We assume, arguendo, that a viable sub-class of the prison population--i.e. those who engage in constitutionally protected writ writing--may be shown. 24 To properly prove his claim under this theory, Johnson had to show that because of his constitutionally protected writ writing he was treated unfairly compared to other prisoners who were [otherwise] similarly situated. Hilliard v. Board of Pardons and Paroles, 759 F.2d 1190, 1193 (5th Cir.1985) (citation omitted). The magistrate judge stated that [a]ny distinction made between inmates who seek access to the courts and those who do not violates the equal protection clause. Johnson II, 910 F.Supp. at 1213. 44 However, the magistrate judge made no finding that in the case of Johnson, or of any other specific inmate, adverse consideration by the Board of his writ writing--much less his constitutionally protected writ writing--actually played a part in its denial of parole to him. Nor does the evidence show this. Further, no findings were made respecting the treatment meted out by the Board to comparable segments of the nonlitigious prison population, and the record does not provide an adequate basis for any such finding. There is no statistical or similar evidence whatever in the record comparing the parole rates of litigious and nonlitigious prisoners, let alone a comparison of those who engage in constitutionally protected writ writing and those who do not. Even were Johnson able to show that the Board had a largely negative view of writ writing in general, he does not appear to have demonstrated any actual disparate impact upon any class of those engaging in constitutionally protected writ writing. McCleskey, 481 U.S. at 292-293, 107 S.Ct. at 1767 (part of Equal Protection challenge is proof that purposeful discrimination 'had a discriminatory effect' ), quoting Wayte v. United States, 470 U.S. 598, 608-609, 105 S.Ct. 1524, 1531, 84 L.Ed.2d 547 (1985). 45 We further note that although litigation related activity tangentially defines the parameters of the allegedly aggrieved class, the practice actually challenged directly affects only parole consideration and not a prisoner's ability to file a lawsuit or assist another in doing so. Compare Lyng v. Castillo, 477 U.S. 635, 637-642, 106 S.Ct. 2727, 2729-2731, 91 L.Ed.2d 527 (1986); Richard v. Hinson, 70 F.3d 415, 417 (5th Cir.1995), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 116 S.Ct. 2522, 135 L.Ed.2d 1047 (1996); Wayne v. Tennessee Valley Authority, 730 F.2d 392, 403-404 (5th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1159, 105 S.Ct. 908, 83 L.Ed.2d 922 (1985). And, not all prisoner litigation activity is protected. Lewis; Tighe. Thus, any burden which customary consideration in the parole process of litigation activity generally may impose upon a fundamental right is incidental and does not warrant strict scrutiny under an equal protection analysis. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Penn. v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 872-874, 112 S.Ct. 2791, 2818-2819 (1992); Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 49-52, 91 S.Ct. 746, 753-754, 27 L.Ed.2d 669 (1971). Hence, for equal protection purposes only a conceivable rational relationship is required. Stern, 778 F.2d at 1054. It is simply not irrational to consider general litigiousness, or the filing (or aiding in the filing or the fomenting) of frivolous law suits, or concentration on being a jail house lawyer, or the like, as anti-social activity which may to some extent interfere with and adversely reflect on a prisoner's rehabilitation. 25 If in a rare, given instance such a general approach happens to result in the Board's adverse consideration of a given inmate's constitutionally protected writ writing activity having actually played a part in its denial of parole to that particular inmate, 26 then that may be addressed and redressed under standards essentially comparable to those applicable to the retaliation theory. 46 We accordingly reverse and remand the magistrate judge's ruling on the writ writer claim.