Opinion ID: 385769
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: statement of reasons for disciplinary action

Text: 35 We will not repeat here our discussion in Hayes I of the necessity for reasons to be stated underlying prison disciplinary action. See Hayes I at 631-33. For much the same purpose discussed in Part III above, it is essential that such reasons appear in the record of the proceedings. It is not adequate to review the Committee's guilty finding on the basis of subsequent testimony. 36 In Hayes I, we reviewed the Committee's statement of reasons for its finding that Hayes was guilty of conspiracy to incite to riot and commit mutinous acts. On the basis of the record before us there, we concluded: 37 The Institutional Adjustment Committee failed in the present case to give an adequate statement as to evidence relied on or reasons for the action taken. Rather than pointing out the essential facts upon which inferences were based, the Committee merely incorporated the violation report and the special investigator's report. This general finding does not ensure that prison officials will act fairly. Nor will this finding protect against subsequent collateral effects based on misunderstanding of the initial decision. Hayes I, 555 F.2d at 633. 38 We have before us now the same record which we reviewed there. We must, therefore, conclude that the statement of reasons is not adequate and the guilty finding must be reversed as a violation of due process.