Document: 515 U.S. 472115 S.Ct. 2293132 L.Ed.2d 418 Cinda SANDIN, Unit Team Manager, Halawa Correctional Facility, Petitioner,v.Demont R.D. CONNER et al. No. 93-1911. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Feb. 28, 1995. Decided June 19, Steven Scott Michaels, for petitioner. Paul L. Hoffman, respondents. Syllabus * 1 In this suit, respondent Conner alleged that petitioner and other Hawaii prison officials deprived him procedural due process when an adjustment committee refused to allow present witnesses during a disciplinary hearing then sentenced segregation misconduct. The District granted summary judgment, but Appeals reversed, concluding had liberty interest in remaining free there was disputed question fact whether he received all under Wolff v. McDonnell, 539, 94 2963, 41 935. court based its conclusion on regulation instructing find guilt misconduct charge is supported by substantial evidence, reasoning committee's duty nondiscretionary. From regulation, it drew negative inference may not impose if does evidence misconduct, state-created interest, therefore entitled call witnesses. 2 Held: Neither nor Due Process Clause itself afford protected would entitle protections set forth Wolff. Pp. ____. 3 (a) Under Wolff, certain circumstances create interests which are Clause. But these will generally be limited freedom from restraint which, while exceeding sentence such unexpected manner as give rise protection own force, nonetheless imposes atypical significant hardship inmate relation ordinary incidents life. See also Meachum Fano, 427 215, 96 2532, 49 451. methodology used Hewitt Helms, 459 460, 103 864, 74 675, later cases has impermissibly shifted focus inquiry one nature deprivation language particular regulation. § methodology, regulations, case, have been examined see mandatory substantive predicates enforceable expectation State produce outcome with respect prisoner's confinement conditions. This shift encouraged prisoners comb regulations search base entitlements various state-conferred privileges. Courts have, response, drawn inferences language. creates disincentives codify management procedures uniform treatment order avoid creation "liberty" interests, led involvement federal courts day-to-day prisons. time come return those principles were correctly established applied Meachum. 4 (b) asserts, incorrectly, any state action taken punitive reason encroaches upon even absence Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 99 1861, 60 447 (1979), Ingraham Wright, 430 651, 97 1401, 51 711 (1977), distinguished. 5 (c) Conner's discipline segregated did type atypical, might conceivably interest. At his punishment, mirrored conditions imposed inmates administrative protective custody. Moreover, expunged record more serious charges against him. And, exceed similar, totally discretionary either duration or degree restriction. situation case where State's inevitably affect sentence, since chance finding parole status simply too attenuated invoke Clause's guarantees. 6 15 F.3d 1463 (CA9 1993) reversed. 7 REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, THOMAS, JJ., joined. GINSBURG, J., filed dissenting opinion, STEVENS, BREYER, SOUTER, djQ Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 8 We certiorari reexamine 9 DeMont convicted numerous crimes, including murder, kidnaping, robbery, burglary, currently serving indeterminate 30 years life prison. He confined maximum security central Oahu. August 1987, officer escorted cell module program area. subjected strip search, complete inspection rectal retorted angry foul directed at officer. Eleven days notice charged infractions. "high misconduct" using physical interference impair correctional function, "low moderate abusive obscene harassing employees.1 10 appeared before 1987. request hearing, stating "[w]itnesses unavailable move [sic ] medium facility being short staffed modules." App. Pet. Cert. A67. proceedings, determined guilty It Special Holding Unit2 obstruction charge, four hours segrega- tion each two served concurrent days. Id., A66-67. began 31, ended September 29, 11 sought review within 14 receiving decision. Haw.Admin.Rule 17-201-20(a) (1983). Nine months later, deputy administrator found high unsupported charge. 249. Deputy Administrator decided appeal, brought suit chair Rev.Stat. 1979, 42 U.S.C. 1983. His amended complaint prayed injunctive relief, declaratory relief damages for, among things, connection hearing. judgment favor officials. 12 Ninth Circuit reversed judgment. Sakai, (1993). concluded Court's pronouncement 935 (1974). F.3d, 1466. instructs evidence. 17-201-18(b)(2) (1983).3 reasoned Kentucky Department Corrections Thompson, 490 454, 109 1904, 104 506 (1989), viewed held virtue our supra. petition certiorari, 513 ----, 115 305, 130 217 (1994), now reverse. II 13 Our analysis begins There, Nebraska challenged decision revoke good credits without adequate procedures. U.S., 553, S.Ct., 2973. Inmates earned statute bestowed reductions behavior, id., 546, n. 6, 2970, revocable only " 'flagrant misconduct,' 545, 5, 2969, (citation omitted). credit statutory provision created "shortened sentence" resulted credits, prisoner 557, 2975. characterized "real substance" ibid., articulated minimum necessary reach "mutual accommodation between institutional needs objectives provisions Constitution." 556, Much Wolff's contribution landscape prisoners' derived description rather intricate balancing concerns determining amount due. Its discussion definition supra, 556-558, 2974-2976, thorough issue 451 (1976). transfers Massachusetts substantially less favorable ordered aftermath arson transferred thought responsible, entail loss period confinement. 222, 2537. proposition protect every change having adverse impact prisoner. 224, 2538. intrastate transfers. 225, 2538-2539. transfer facility, albeit burdensome conditions, "within normal limits range custody conviction authorized impose." Ibid; Montanye Haymes, 236, 242, 2543, 2547, 466 distinguished noting law; here no comparable law stripped discretion alternate facilities "for whatever all." Meachum, 228, 2540.4 Shortly after embarked different approach defining interests. Because dictum focusing discretionary, laid ever greater emphasis somewhat mechanical dichotomy. Greenholtz Penal Complex, 442 1, 2100, 668 foreshadowed full fruition 675 they unconstitutionally denied parole. Their claim centered date term imprisonment expired. release time, unless specific shown. 11, 2105-2106. apparently accepted inmates' argument word "shall" legitimate absent requisite justifications deferral existed, some measure constitutional Nevertheless, ultimately prevailed because minimal awarded deemed sufficient Fourteenth Amendment. 16 made explicit what implicit Greenholtz. evaluating claims who segregation, first rejected right remain general population authority Montanye, Vitek. standing alone confers 'within imposed,' 468, 869. amenable quarters nonpunitive reasons "ordinarily contemplated sentence." Ibid. Examination possibility followed. Instead looking scheme asked gone beyond issuing mere guidelines "language unmistakably character" incursion occur "absent specified predicates." 471-472, 871. Finding directives it, nevertheless, held, Greenholtz, panoply conferred unnecessary safeguard and, imposed, undermine prison's objectives. 17 As took hold, longer need rely showing suffered 'grievous loss' retained terms imprisonment. Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 481, 92 2593, 2600, 33 484 (1972) For ceased examine "nature" allegedly State. ibid.; Board Regents Colleges Roth, 564, 571, 2701, 2706, 548 (1972). series Hewitt, wrestled intricate, often routine determine 18 Olim Wakinekona, 461 238, 1741, 75 813 (1983), claimants identified required kind could, discretion, effect interstate another Parsing hold negated 249-250, 1747-1748. dealt governing visitation privileges inmates. Asserting absolute visitors predicates, adequacy left visitor exclusion officials, elevate expectations level 464-465, 1910-1911. 19 By shifting deprivation, altogether illogically, text regulations. Appeals' typical: inferred directive prevents guilt. 20 Such entirely sensible task construing rights remedies available public. deal primarily designed guide administration Not confer inmates, result implication jurisprudence require follow instead attach quite nature. Here, example, could Instead, "liberty interest" 21 produced least undesirable effects. First, treatment. Prison administrators concerned safety staff population. Ensuring welfare leads curb front line daily encounter hostile authoritarian structure environment. solely benefit They aspire instruct subordinate employees how exercise vested warden, confine personnel widely similar incidents. embraced discourages desirable development: scarcely conferring standardless personnel. 22 Second, prisons, squandering judicial resources little offsetting anyone. so doing, run counter view expressed several ought appropriate deference flexibility trying manage volatile 561-563, 2977-2978; 470-471, 870-871; Jones North Carolina Prisoners Labor Union, 433 119, 125, 2537-2538, 53 629 (1977). especially warranted fine-tuning life, common subject Hewitt. See, e.g., Klos Haskell, 48 81 (CA2 1995) (claiming participate "shock program"—a boot camp inmates); Segal Biller, 94-35448, 1994 WL 594705, U.S.App. LEXIS 30628 Oct. 1994) waiver travel limit furloughs); Burgin Nix, 899 F.2d 733, 735 (CA8 1990) tray lunch than sack lunch); Spruytte Walters, 753 498, 506-508 (CA6 1985) (finding paperback dictionary rule states 'may receive book . threat institution' ") omitted); Lyon Farrier, 727 766, 768-769 1984) smaller electrical outlets televisions job); Michigan, 680 F.Supp. 270, 277 (WD Mich.1988) placed food loaf diet). 23 light above discussion, we believe strayed real undergirding Meachum.5 Following recognize Pardons Allen, 482 369, 107 2415, 303 (1987). see, Vitek, 445 493, 100 1263-1264 (transfer mental hospital), Washington, 494 221-222, 110 1036-1037 (involuntary psychotropic drugs), 24 requires rule. pretrial detainees prisoners. Salerno, 481 739, 747, 2095, 2101-2102, 95 697 (1987) (distinguishing "impermissible punishment" "permissible regulation" detainees). noted detainee "may punished prior adjudication accordance law." 535, 1871-1872. concern attempt punish crime indicted via preconviction holding 1874. course improperly extend persons detained—to ensure their presence trial.6 25 same distinction applies Ingraham, addressed schoolchildren arbitrary corporal punishment. historically encompassed notion "physically individual except law" sheltered. 674, 1414. Although children sent public school lawfully classroom, punishment represents invasion personal parents do consent entrusting educational mission 26 incarcerated prisoners, hand, serves aims invalid Ingraham. retribution lieu valid conviction, maintain control over citizens forced themselves mission. effectuates rehabilitative goals. Alvey, 67 Haw. 49, 55, 678 P.2d (1984). Admittedly, prison- ers shed gate, 555, 2974, '[l]awful incarceration brings about withdrawal limitation many rights, retraction justified considerations underlying penal system.' Jones, 2537, quoting Price Johnston, 334 266, 285, 68 1049, 1060, L.Ed. 1356 (1948). Discipline response wide falls expected parameters law. 27 though concededly punitive, dramatic departure basic sentence. points dicta implying solitary automatically triggers protection, 2982, 19; Baxter Palmigiano, 425 308, 323, 1551, 1560, 47 810 (1976) (assuming deciding 'serious misconduct' implicates counsel) omitted), opportunity address argued shows that, insignificant exceptions, custody.7 note segregation. Thus, Indeed, involve amounts "lockdown time" population.8 Based comparison inside outside actions placing work major disruption environment.9 28 Nor Nothing Hawaii's code board deny face grant absence, Haw.Rev.Stat. §§ 353-68, 353-69 (1985), relevant consideration. 23-700-33(b) (effective Aug. 1992). rests myriad considerations. afforded explain behind record. 23-700-31(a); 23-700-35(c); 23-700-36 alter balance proce- dural guarantees 229, 8, 2540 (declining basis petitioner's future parole).10 29 therefore, neither question, itself, regime normally life.11 accordingly 31 Reversed. 32 whom STEVENS joins, dissenting. Respondent maximum-security After reacted angrily report obstructing performance officer's duties, talking member, member. opportunity, personally, answer them. However, members said attest innocence. 34 contested charges, but, according committee, admitted hesitation orders use profanity search. statement written statements submitted conducted supervisor, charges. Sentenced unit, pursued reversal conviction. 35 Unlike I conclude Amendment's Clause, avoiding endured. BREYER details, effected severe alteration incarceration. post, Disciplinary deprives protracted periods; unlike custody, stigmatizes them diminishes prospects. Those immediate lingering consequences should suffice qualify liberty-depriving purposes protection. 234-235, 2542-2543, (STEVENS, dissenting).1 36 code, wellspring Conner. Deriving local codes make fundamental something States, others. Liberty vary Ossining, New York, San Quentin, California, resemble "Liberty" enshrined "unalienable Rights" "endowed Creator." Declaration Independence; 230, 2541 dissenting) ("[T]he protects [the unalienable recognized Independence] laws regulations.").2 37 prison, moreover, yields practical anomaly: attempts behavior guards may, very laxity, escape accountability; tightly cabins workers attentiveness, become vulnerable claims. An incentive ruleless disserves penological goals jeopardizes 38 To fit instrument government, Constitution similarly depend particularities code. Rather, basic, universal requirements acts say committed, respond trustworthy decisionmaker. Friendly, "Some Kind Hearing," 123 U.Pa.L.Rev. 1267, 1278-1281 (1975) (an unbiased tribunal, proposed government grounds asserted why fundamental; additional safeguards importance private utility safeguards, burden affording them). 39 cogently presents, ____, unavoidable meaning return, renewed motion order, record, composed, show case. 40 particular, properly projected testimony matter controversy. 566, 2979-2980, (1974) (justifications tribunal's refusing hear "irrelevance, lack necessity, [and] hazards [to goals] presented cases"). Unless demonstrate, stated reliance admissions, material genuinely controversy, Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. 56(c), (e), fail. dissent precisely focused determination indeed 43 SOUTER 44 segregates violating majority, asking "imposes life," ante, concludes so. majority's reasoning, however, particularly read precedents, seems me lead opposite conclusion. reason, dissent. 45 respondent, Conner, Hawaii. altercation guard, authorities prohibited "physical resulting function. ." 17-201-7(14) "adjustment committee" "guilty" "disciplinary segregation." Eventually, days, official aside determination, 46 meantime, "civil rights" Federal claimed, failure let Const., Amdt. 14, 1. But, agreed procedurally "liberty." 1463, 1466 remanded refusal "due." Part V, infra. amounted Amendment says shall "deprive person liberty, property, inmate, "liberty," traditionally looked (1) (how severe, kind) (2) rules imposition (whether they, effect, "right" it). 460-461, 1908-1909, (1989). changes gives broad power them, "without complying process." Vitek 480, 491-494, 1254, 1263, 63 552 (1980) ("involuntary commitment hospital"); Washington Harper, 210, 1028, 1036-1037, 108 178 (1990) ("unwanted antipsychotic drugs"). deprivations closely related original provided (including regulations) narrowly legal (thereby giving 871-872, (1983) (liberty "requiring predicates"); 461, 1908-1909 ("method always statutes regulations"); 382, 2422-2423, (O'CONNOR, (insisting "standards place decisionmaker discretion"); 248-249, 1747-1748, (existence regarding depends regulations); (same transfers); 225-227, 2538-2540, (same). If apply pre-existing facts us, fairly clear, found, constitutionally thing, worked like Halawa's worked, classes, mingled others eight day. Exh. 36, 126; 101. spend entire (with exception 50 minutes day average brief shower periods, remained isolated constrained leg irons waist chains). 61, 156-157, 166. Cf. Hughes Rowe, 449 9, 101 173, 175-176, 177, 66 163 (per curiam) (disciplinary "[s]egregation violate postponement apprehended emergency conditions"); 552, 571-572, 2972, ("solitary confinement"—i.e., "in usual 'disciplinary cell' 'dry "represents confinement"); (segregation protection) irrespective independent law, severely cabin provide (among things): constitute misconduct," 17-201-7a; 52 punishable "shall punished" through (composed three members), 17-201-12, 13; (after hearing) "[a] made" admits "charge evidence," 17-201-18(b), (b)(2); 17-201-16, 17; (d) "[s]anctions" include [d]isciplinary up thirty days," 17-201-7(b). 54 thus: substantial, restrict instances committed defined offense, (3) prescribe nondiscretionary standards offense. Accordingly, liberty-defining standards, imposing "deprive" Compare 871-872 predicates"), 457, 2, 1907, (no gave refuse visit whenever "there reasonable that," "[t]he detrimental inmate's rehabilitation"). existing go decide "process" III 55 disagreeing seeks change, clarify, law's important respect. majority believes "cabining discretion" standard reads providing trivial "rights," as, content meals. Ante, adds involves deeply matters administration, justification. standard, namely life." 56 am means radically. so, generality threatens uncertainty, lower offering significantly extension "atypical" hardships preexisting covered. There need, radical reading achieve objective, Constitution's important, comparatively insignificant. my view, elaborating, explaining, (without revision) clear must meant serve. read, minor stake. 57 Three sets considerations, together, support (and today's phrased not) revise current doctrine remove federal-court scrutiny. although said, continues say, (or far removed confinement) rules) "cabin discretion," ____; 1262-1264; 1036-1037; cf. Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Comm. McGrath, 341 123, 168, 71 624, 646-647, 817 (1951) (Frankfurter, concurring), easy specify just when, much of, middle category restraints considered themselves, obviously fall within, without, 58 difficult line-drawing implies helps developed looks (examining limiting restraint). 1908-1909; 871-872. Despite similarity way determines existence, nonexistence, "property" purposes, justification context. protecting reliance, "entitlement" (i.e., nonconstitutional) helped define. 577, 2709, ("It purpose ancient institution property people lives, arbitrarily undermined"). protects, government-conferred benefit, restraint, freedom. 230-231, (citing 482, 2600-2601, (1972)). 59 reasons, context, consider further takes authorities' suggests, things equal, likely played role inmate. 488, 880 dissenting). applied, prove useful, single out condition facts. 468-470, 1912-1914 (Marshall, dissenting); Florida East Coast R. Co., 410 244-245, 93 810, 820-821, 223 (1973). highly judgmental wise discretion—matters reasonably hesitate second-guess administrators. himself, avoided thereby believed (in misbehavior) fell "sentence imposed" Finally, can identify cabined easily objectively, time. 1908-1909. These characteristics "cabined mean touchstone help restraints, separate kinds general, guaranteed not. Given precedent, continue helpful seek standard. Third, is, "discretion-cabining" approach—the objective method identifying middle-range restraints—where unimportant enough imprisonment) clearly category. Prison, design, restricts cannot happen aggravating already occurred. matter, deprive lunch, instruction job, guarantee quo. Colon Schneider, 660, (CA7 (rules Mace subdue "directed toward staff, inmates"). never "deprivations" scope deprivations. 3, 1909 (leaving open). 61 consequence, potentially significant, test. Yet, making tasks. Goss Lopez, 419 565, 576, 729, 737, 725 ("de minimis Clause). possible television privileges, "sack" versus "tray" lunches, playing lottery, attending ex-stepfather's funeral, furlough, 1984); 734-735 curiam); Hatch Sharp, 919 1266, 1270 1990); Merritt Broglin, 891 169, 173-174 1989); 30628, *4-*5 (CA9, 1994), matters, here. respect, (from matters) moderate" "minor" Compare, "moderate" weeks 17-201-8, punishments, 17-201-9, (several "[l]oss privileges" "community recreation; commissary; snacks; cigarettes, smoking; visits—no fifteen days; correspondence; phone calls days"; impounding property; extra duty; reprimand). 62 upshot following: problems identifies suggest definitional limit, Clause—a precedent. 2600 (" (citations abandoning supra; (1983); (1976); IV today reaffirms includes create. excludes relatively (requiring "atypical inmate"). vast body Circuit, recognizing constitutionally-protected 472, 871-872; Rodi Ventetuolo, 941 22, (CA1 1991); Soto Walker, 172 1995); Layton Beyer, 953 839, 849 (CA3 1992); Baker Lyles, 904 925, 929 (CA4 Dzana Foti, 829 558, 560-561 (CA5 1987); Mackey Dyke, 1086, 1092 1994); Alston DeBruyn, 1036, 1042-1043 Brown Frey, 889 159, 166 Walker Sumner, 1415, 1419 Reynoldson Shillinger, 907 124, 126-127 (CA10 McQueen Tabah, 839 1525, 1528-1529 (CA11 1988); Lucas Hodges, 730 1493, 1504-1506 (CADC 1984). That reverses, affirms, 64 finds "discipline present" deprivation" special features together. "mirrored" "administrative custody." forms third, "expunged record," erasing stigma transforming violation into sort "totally confinement" implicated 65 agree assertions. 60, 142-143, 152, do, indeed, leeway. 17-201-22(3) ("Whenever justifiable exist"). disagree assertion relevance expungement. How transform rules? expungement restore fact, lost? rules, look rules. sum, no, described II, sufficiently. V Other principles, applicable here, alleviate fear application action, III, intervene (as sees it) anyone." "due" context blown procedure accompanies criminal trials. "due process" flexible concept, take account elements fairness require. 578, 738 (the 'very negates concept inflexible universally imaginable situation' (quoting Cafeteria & Restaurant Workers McElroy, 367 886, 895, 1743, 1748-1749, 1230 (1961)); Mathews Eldridge, 424 319, 334, 893, 902, '[D]ue demands' 2600); 1278 ("required varies"); 563-567, 2978-2980 (requiring—in addition notice, decision—permission documentary doing "will unduly hazardous goals," 2979-2980). More importantly element proceeding, unless, factual dispute parties. Just hearings "genuine" "material" parties, Fed.Rule (summary judgment), (such calling witness) (relevant guilt) resolve. Codd Velger, 429 627, 882, 883-884, (1977) curiam). 69 mention latter point both illustrates meritless us indicates affirm, pose obstacle eventual success. contains report, admissions. wrote "based" "decision" "statements" (when searched) "he turned around" "looked at" officer, "then 'eyed up' "was hesitant comply" strip-search instructions, "dislikes" spoke obscenity process. A-67. explanation affidavits elsewhere, wanted sought) issue. 70 petitioner, her favor. Even assume answer, reveals ask basis. "specific facts" procedures) needed. Fed. Rule 56(e) ("must genuine trial"). Were defense remand, consideration because, explained Parts II-IV, affirm respectfully syllabus constitutes part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. establish hierarchy ranging "greatest 17-201-6(a) "minor 17-201-10. Section 17-201-7 enumerates offenses sanction 17-201-9 lists cell, monetary restitution, levels classify misdeeds, define "serious "that poses safety, security, wards, subjects penalties hours." 17-201-12. parties concede allegation constituted low (SHU) houses 17-201-19(c), 17-201-22, 17-201-23. Single-person cells comprise SHU classifications housed there. 142-155, 156-168. With visiting privilege, privilege revocations reasons. follows: "Upon completion advisement render cumulative subsequently permissible guilt, silence. A where: "(1) ward pleads guilty. "(2) evidence." (emphasis added). Later cases, (1980), situations. involuntarily hospital disease defect; regulation; "qualitatively different" characteristically crime, "stigmatizing consequences." 493-494, 1264. (1990), likewise involuntary drugs. abandonment Hewitt's technically overrule Wakinekona Thompson locate such, anterior possessed disposition abandons practice administer produces anomalous results. Similar drove Kennedy Mendoza-Martinez, 372 144, 83 554, 644 (1963), revocation citizenship draft evasion. Without discussing interests," "most precious right" necessitated jury trial Fifth Sixth Amendments. 562-563. Bell, feared enforce punishing evasion back door denaturalization prosecution crimes. 186, 576-577. repealed describing Brief Petitioner retains classification "Maximum Custody I" comparably limited. 48a-71a. General anywhere day, depending classification. 126. notes, ironically, requested released 43. times reflected preference quietude Unit. think subjective dispositive analysis, contour actual imposed. Again, personally delayed direct allegation. course, retain First Eighth Amendments Equal Protection appropriate, draw internal grievance available. confinement, "with th[e] custody," misconduct; wrongdoing adversely bracketed measures carry long-term consequences. eventually successful appeal. hindsight tell existed outset. One must, know start character stake process, any, "All's well ends well" describes shields, anything provides. tells [would borne by] What design lies beneath key words? ventures examples, leaving consumers sea, unable fathom "atypical, deprivation," yet trigger directly.

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