Opinion ID: 712598
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Summary Judgment in Favor of Warden Turner.

Text: 18 Del Raine's affidavit notes a number of instances in which he informed Warden Turner about his need for treatment. During 1992, Del Raine submitted an informal complaint on April 7, complained to Warden Turner personally on March 11 and August 19 (the latter generally about Dr. Jumao-as, rather than about his colitis), and filed three formal administrative complaints relating to his colitis on March 11, April 9, and December 31. In memoranda addressing the first two formal complaints, the warden noted recent examinations with negative findings and Del Raine's medical history, which included prostatic hypertrophy and [i]nternal bleeding hemorrhoids due to excessive straining to urinate. (R. 19.) In the warden's response to the third formal complaint, he noted that neither the hospital at Springfield, nor Dr. Jumao-as after the December 31 examination had found the need to prescribe medication for colitis. In all three cases, he stated that the record had been reviewed and that the staff had been consulted. In each, he found that the medical staff was providing proper evaluations, care and treatment. Del Raine's sister also wrote Warden Turner a letter dated May 2, 1992, expressing her concerns about the prison doctor's failure to diagnose her brother's condition. On May 13, 1992, the warden responded to her letter. He described some of the care given to Del Raine, who was seen on a regular basis, and he assured her that her brother was being taken care of appropriately. After December 31, 1992, Del Raine also submitted other formal and informal complaints to the warden. 19 With respect to Warden Turner, the record indicates that Del Raine notified him of his condition and his need for treatment. However, the evidence does not demonstrate that Warden Turner drew the inference that harm would result if he did not act. On the contrary, after reviewing Del Raine's medical history (including the opinions of physicians at other facilities), he found that the prisoner was receiving adequate medical attention. At best, the record shows that he knew the underlying facts but believed ... that the risk to which the facts gave rise was insubstantial or nonexistent. Farmer, 114 S.Ct. at 1982. Therefore, the district court properly granted summary judgment to Warden Turner. 20