Opinion ID: 324986
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Confrontation and Cross-Examination

Text: 6 Wolff held that confrontation and cross-examination are not 'at the present time' constitutionally compelled. (418 U.S. at 567, 94 S.Ct. 2980.) '(I)n the current environment, where prison disruption remains a serious concern to administrators, we cannot ignore the desire and effort of many States, including Nebraska and the Federal Government, to avoid situations that may trigger deep emotions and that may scuttle the disciplinary process as a rehabilitation vehicle.' (Id.) The Court thereupon committed the allowance or denial of confrontation and cross-examination 'to the sound discretion of the officials of state prisons.' (Id.) 7 The Court did not prescribe any method by which the soundness of the discretion thus accorded could be subjected to scrutiny. We do so now. Whenever a prisoner requests and is denied the privilege of confrontation and cross-examination in a disciplinary proceeding in which a serious sanction can be imposed (excluding a proceeding for an infraction that is also a crime), the prison authorities must enter in the record of the proceeding and make available to the prisoner an explanation for the denial. Failure to make that explanation or an explanation setting forth reasons not related to the prevention of those ills about which the Supreme Court was concerned--reprisals, unmanageability, disruption, safety of prison personnel--will be deemed prima facie evidence of abuse of discretion that can be called to the attention of parole authorities and, under appropriate circumstances, of the courts as well.