Opinion ID: 2979625
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First-Amendment Claim

Text: Barnett alleges that Love did not properly deal with Barnett’s grievances, and that Love falsified various of Barnett’s information in relation to the grievances. In effect, Barnett appears to argue that Love did not follow the grievance procedure and acted in a manner that frustrated Barnett’s attempts to gain relief through that procedure. Prison officials are not liable under § 1983 for denying or failing to act on grievances. Grinter v. Knight, 532 F.3d 567, 576 (6th Cir. 2008). They are liable, however, for frustrating a prisoner’s First Amendment right to access the courts. Kensu v. Haigh, 87 F.3d 172, 175 (6th Cir. 1996). To state a violation of this right, a prisoner must allege that a prison official’s conduct caused him an actual injury, such as frustration of a particular legal claim. Hadix v. Johnson, 182 F.3d 400, 405-06 (6th Cir. 1999). Barnett identifies no injury from this alleged frustration, so his First Amendment claim must fail. Because this violation is the only basis for recovery from Love that Barnett has pursued on appeal, the district court properly dismissed Love from this litigation.