Opinion ID: 1482267
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The statute and regulations.

Text: The District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DOC) has been authorized by statute to promulgate rules and regulations which govern the District's correctional facilities. D.C.Code § 24-442 (1989). The promulgation of these rules and regulations shall be with the approval of the Council of the District of Columbia. Id. Pursuant to the foregoing authority, DOC has issued regulations governing disciplinary proceedings and related matters at Lorton and other facilities. These regulations are now codified in 28 DCMR §§ 500-531 (1987). The Council approved these regulations by enacting the LRAA of 1982. 29 D.C.Reg. 3484 (1982). We have previously held, and reiterate today, that DOC is bound by its own validly promulgated regulations, specifically including the LRAA. Vaughn v. United States, 598 A.2d 425, 433 (D.C.1991). The LRAA has a binding effect on even the most senior correctional officials. Price v. Kelly, 847 F.Supp. 163, 167 n. 5 (D.D.C.1994), aff'd, 312 U.S.App.D.C. 461, 56 F.3d 1531 (1995). Accordingly, we must decide whether Abdullah's petition, viewed in the light most favorable to him, fairly alleges violations of the LRAA.