Opinion ID: 608135
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Legal Status of the Segregation and Maximum Custody Program

Text: 29 Conner contends that the existence of the Segregation and Maximum Custody Program (Program) has violated his right to due process because the Program was never correctly authorized by the Director of the Department of Social Services or the Governor of Hawaii. He asserts that § 17-200-1 and Haw.Rev.Stat. § 353-3 create a liberty interest in not being subject to any law not explicitly authorized by the governor, that the Program lacks the signatures required by the statute, and that without the signatures the Program does not have the force of law. 13 30 Whether or not the Program was approved by the director or the governor, and whether or not the conjunction of § 17-200-1 and Haw.Rev.Stat. § 353-3 creates a liberty interest, Conner's claim fails. The Program was implemented in 1981, according to an affidavit of Defendant Shohet, while § 17-200-1 did not become effective until October 6, 1983. Therefore, § 17-200-1 does not govern the Program and cannot create a liberty interest. 31 In addition, Conner appears to argue that the Program is invalid because it does not comply with the Hawaii Administrative Procedures Act. Conner's argument appears to make a state claim. Such claims are barred in § 1983 suits. Pennhurst State School & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 121, 104 S.Ct. 900, 919, 79 L.Ed.2d 67 (1984). Summary judgment on this issue is affirmed. 32