Opinion ID: 618214
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: On August 23, 2007, Holden, a convicted sex offender, was arrested for failure to report a change of address and was placed in the custody of Marion County Jail. Holden was held in the protective custody pod. This pod provides protection for inmates who face a greater likelihood of being assaulted by other inmates. The pod is closer to the jail control room and has a glass front, allowing prison personnel to observe the inmates better. With Holden in the pod were three other inmates, Adrian Jones, Nathan Brown, and Steve Kelso. On October 15, 2007, a fight erupted between Holden and his cellmates. Approximately one minute after the fight began, Brian Young, a Marion County Jail employee, stopped the fight. Young provided Holden with clean clothes and examined Holden for injuries. Young's inspection disclosed minor swelling of Holden's leg, some bruising, and a small cut and minor abrasion on Holden's lip. There was no significant bleeding, none of Holden's injuries required stitches, and Holden was never unconscious. Holden's gums were not bleeding, and he did not have a loose tooth. Holden walked without any noticeable difficulty. For the remainder of Holden's time at Marion County Jail, Holden did not share a cell with Jones, Brown, or Kelso. A few hours after the fight, Holden reported increased pain, locking up and cramping of his neck and shoulders, lower back pain, a loose tooth, dizziness and lightheadedness, and swelling and discoloration on several areas of his body. Prison officials offered Holden an ice pack, instructed him to elevate his leg, and gave him ibuprofen. Holden refused to use the ice pack. The following day, October 16, Peggy Porter, a licensed practical nurse employed by Marion County Jail, received a Sick Call Request Form from Holden, complaining of pain. Holden described pain shooting through his lower back and inner right leg up to his groin. Nurse Porter evaluated Holden's vital signs, head, ears, nose, throat, lungs, heart and musculoskeletal systemall normal. Nurse Porter suggested Holden use an ice pack, rest his right leg and back, and take ibuprofen for five days. On October 21 and 23, Holden again complained of pain. On October 24, Nurse Porter again examined Holden and discovered a right knee contusion and sprain. Nurse Porter prescribed ibuprofen for seven days and recommended Holden refrain from activities that would strain his knee. Over the following months, Holden made multiple complaints of pain, received medical attention, and was observed walking and eating without difficulty. Holden also complained repeatedly of pain in his lower front tooth and on October 23, 2007, sought dental treatment. Holden presented additional Sick Call Request Forms for dental treatment on October 28 and November 4. Nurse Porter informed Holden the Marion County Jail did not have a dentist and could only treat the symptoms of a toothache. Holden has not adduced any evidence he complained of tooth pain again while incarcerated at Marion County Jail. On April 29, 2008, Holden was transferred to the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. On June 20, 2008, Holden was given the opportunity to have a dentist extract his tooth. Holden refused. Holden eventually consented to the extraction on October 13, 2008. On December 23, 2008, Holden filed a complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, against Linda Hirner, David Lawson, Barb Powell, Brian Young, and Carla Lawson, all Marion County Jail custody officers (collectively, prison officials), in their individual and official capacities. Holden alleged the prison officials violated his civil rights.