Opinion ID: 3217265
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The July Incident

Text: Plaintiff alleges that on July 8, 2009, Associate Warden Becky Clay and Lieutenant Timothy Bowns “showed up at [Plaintiff’s] cell door and told [him] to cuff up” so that he could be moved to a new cell.3 Plaintiff concedes that he refused to submit to hand restraints. Instead, according to Lieutenant Bowns, Plaintiff barricaded his cell’s food slot with his mattress, tied a shirt over his face, and exhibited signs of “imminent . . . violence.” Plaintiff admits that Drug Treatment Specialist Eric Dryden attempted, unsuccessfully, to diffuse the situation by using so-called confrontational avoidance measures. He then reported to Warden Constance Reese, who asked that Dryden speak with Plaintiff one last time. When that proved ineffective, Reese authorized a use-of-force team to effectuate the cell move and approved the use of chemical agents if necessary. 2 “The SMU is a non-punitive unit for very disruptive inmates who require greater management to ensure the safety, security, and orderly operation of federal prisons. The SMU houses high security inmates from other prisons throughout the federal prison system.” Caldwell v. Warden, FCI Talladega, 748 F.3d 1090, 1093 (11th Cir. 2014). Plaintiff was referred to the SMU based on his assaultive behavior at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy in Inez, Kentucky. 3 Plaintiff alleges that he was being moved so that he could be placed in a cell with his “known enemies.” Defendants contend that the July 8 move was “a routine cell rotation.” 3 Case: 14-15484 Date Filed: 06/27/2016 Page: 4 of 40 Lieutenant Bowns gave Plaintiff one final opportunity to comply, which Plaintiff refused. The use-of-force team employed a “ram tool” (essentially, a long metal rod) to move the mattress away from the food slot. Lieutenant Bowns then ordered Captain Bernard Halloran to disperse pepper spray into Plaintiff’s cell. Defendants contend that the first burst of pepper spray lasted for two seconds and, when Plaintiff remained non-compliant, a second burst was applied. Plaintiff’s sworn declaration states that the guards emptied two full cans of pepper spray into his cell. Plaintiff maintains that he was “totally blind and almost totally unconscious” face-down on the ground with his hands out to the side when the use-of-force team entered his cell. Plaintiff’s declaration also states that Officer William Tidwell placed Plaintiff’s head and neck into an “arm bar” hold and “slam[med] [Plaintiff’s] face into a concrete slab.” Video footage shows that after Plaintiff was restrained, the use-of-force team carried him to the showers to be rinsed off. Plaintiff remained in arm and leg restraints through July 13 at 11:00am.