Opinion ID: 787443
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: New York Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Grievance Procedures

Text: 4 The regular DOCS grievance procedure consists of three tiers. First, the inmate files a level 1 grievance (either on an Inmate Grievance Complaint Form, or on plain paper if the form is not readily available) with the Inmate Grievance Resolution Committee (IGRC), which is composed of fellow inmates and prison officials. 3 The IGRC must convene a hearing, if necessary, within seven working days, and issue a written decision within two days of the hearing. Next, the inmate has four days to appeal the IGRC decision to the superintendent of the facility, who must respond within ten days and must provide simple directions on how to appeal to the next level, the Central Office Review Committee (CORC). The inmate's final opportunity for resolution of his grievance is to appeal to the CORC within four working days of the superintendent's decision. The CORC then has 20 working days to render a decision. 7 N.Y.C.R.R. § 701.7(c)(4). 4 5 DOCS also provides an expedited process for complaints of inmate harassment or other misconduct by prison employees. The requirements of this expedited procedure are contested by the parties to this case. At the time the incidents alleged by the plaintiff occurred, relevant DOCS regulations stated: 6 A. An inmate who feels that he has been the victim of employee misconduct or harassment should first report such occurrences to the immediate supervisor of that employee. This does not preclude submission of a formal grievance. 7 B. All allegations of employee misconduct shall be given a grievance calendar number and recorded in sequence with all other grievances.... All documents submitted with the allegation must be forwarded to the superintendent by the close of business that day. 8 C. The superintendent or his/her designee shall promptly determine whether the grievance, if true, would represent a bona fide case of harassment as defined in section II above. If not, then it shall be returned to the IGRC for normal processing. 9 DOCS Directive 4040 (June 8, 1998), at 11; see also 7 N.Y.C.R.R. § 703 (1998). 10 The Directive goes on to require, in cases where the grievance is a bona fide harassment issue, that the superintendent initiate an investigation and render a decision within twelve days. DOCS Directive 4040 (June 8, 1998), at 11. If the Superintendent fails to respond within twelve days, the inmate may appeal to the CORC for relief. Id.