Opinion ID: 2284324
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to join necessary parties.

Text: It is typical of prisoner § 1983 actions that the correctional officials allegedly responsible for the complained-of constitutional violations are joined. See e.g., Johnson-El, supra ; Morgan v. District of Columbia, 263 U.S.App.D.C. 69, 824 F.2d 1049 (1987); Pitts v. Meese, supra, 684 F.Supp. 303; Smith-Bey v. District of Columbia, 546 F.Supp. 813 (D.D.C.1982). Determining which correctional officials are proper parties to such actions depends upon the facts of each case, and this determination sometimes can be a complicated matter. See e.g., Harris v. Young, 718 F.2d 620, 622 (4th Cir.1983); Rich v. Zitnay, 644 F.2d 41, 43 (1st Cir.1981); Hudson v. Israel, 594 F.Supp. 664 (E.D.Wis. 1984). This case, with its bundle of § 1983 claims challenging the adequacy of medical, recreational, vocational, legal and other facilities and services, is no exception. It is axiomatic that Vaughn cannot obtain the relief to which he would be entitled if successful on his § 1983 claims for monetary damages caused by the alleged unconstitutional conditions of his confinement, unless he joins the parties responsible for those conditions. Practically speaking, then, it appears that Vaughn must join the Sheriff of Frio County, Texas and those state or local officials and entities in Texas [8] responsible for the conditions of which Vaughn complains. Vaughn has not done so. [9]