Document: 532 U.S. 731121 S.Ct. 1819149 L.Ed.2d 958 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.Timothy Booth, PETITIONERv.C. O. CHURNER et al. No. 99-1964. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Argued March 20, 2001Decided May 29, 2001 Syllabus The Prison Litigation Reform Act 1995 amended 42 U.S.C. 1997e(a), which now requires a prisoner exhaust "such administrative remedies as available" suing over prison conditions. Petitioner Booth was Pennsylvania state inmate when he began this 1983 action Federal District Court, claiming respondent officers violated his Eighth Amendment right free from cruel and unusual punishment by assaulting him, using excessive force against denying him medical attention treat ensuing injuries. He sought various forms injunctive relief money damages. At time, provided an grievance appeals system, addressed Booth's complaints but had no provision for recovery Before resorting federal court, filed grievance, did not seek review after authority denied relief. failure appeal administratively led dismiss complaint without prejudice under 1997e(a). Third Circuit affirmed, rejecting argument exhaustion requirement inapposite case because process could award monetary (money then being only still requested). Held: Under seeking damages must complete capable addressing inmate's providing some form relief, even if does make specific meaning phrase "administrative ... crux case. Neither practical considerations urged parties nor their reliance on dictionary meanings words "remedies" "available" conclusive congressional intent. Clearer clues found two considerations. First, broader statutory context Congress referred indicates required regardless offered through procedures. While modifier possibility complained of, word "exhausted" has decidedly procedural emphasis. It makes sense, instance, demand someone [redress]" available; one "exhausts" processes, statute provides must. Second, history confirms suggestion meant require fit between prisoner's prayer possible. 1997e(a) Act, court discretion (though obligation) available," they were "plain, speedy, effective." That scheme thing past, amendments eliminated both dispense with condition remedy effective" required. significance deleting apparent light McCarthy v. Madigan, 503 140. In holding preamended version those unavailable at level, id., 149-151, reasoned part procedure able provide would "effective" within statute's meaning, 150. significant removed very term, "effective," previously emphasized reaching result seeks, fair inference drawn preclude result. Congress's imposition obviously it highly implausible give prisoners strong inducement skip simply limiting prayers mechanisms. Pp. 3-9. 206 F.3d 289, affirmed. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR THIRD CIRCUIT Souter, J., delivered unanimous Court. Opinion Justice Souter 1 question whether sort stated, money. We hold 2 * Petitioner, Timothy State Correctional Institution Smithfield, Pennsylvania, Rev. Stat. 1979, Middle Pennsylvania. claimed Smithfield bruising wrists tightening twisting handcuffs placed upon throwing cleaning material face, including transfer another prison, well several hundred thousand dollars 3 Department Corrections system time. called written charge 15 days event prompting complaint, officer investigation resolution. If taken recommended unsatisfactory inmate, intermediate reviewing authority, further final central committee. App. 46-50. abuse alleged, damages.1 4 charging least acts later alleged action. Id., 10-14. not, however, go beyond first step, never 5 avail himself stages (1994 ed., Supp. V). See Pet. Cert. 38a. Appeals 289 (2000), State's requested, since institution mooted claims orders).2 Although acknowledged Courts held exception internal inmate-plaintiff purely action, see, e.g., Whitley Hunt, 158 882 (CA5 1998); Lunsford Jumao-As, 155 1178 (CA9 Garrett Hawk, 127 1263 (CA10 1997), such statute, F.3d, 299-300; accord, Freeman Francis, 196 641 (CA6 1999); Alexander 159 1321 (CA11 1998). granted certiorari address conflict among Circuits, 531 956 we affirm. II 6 aftermath 1995,3 V) 7 "[n]o shall brought respect conditions section title, law, confined jail, correctional facility until available exhausted." 8 case, up point approach agreement. them denies redress wrong presupposed "remed[y]"; neither argues where relevant lacks take whatsoever response complaint.4 dispute here, then, comes down remedial where, demands exclusion all redress. 9 intent, urge us weight considerations, others, glance position holds intuitive appeal. requiring procedures will probably obviate litigation tribunal can sought, prison's cannot satisfy sole demand, odds keeping matter out slim. Reply Brief 16. clearly burdened, while government obtain little value return. respondents, also have something say. They argue these circumstances produce results inmates who start asking nothing money, fact heard change mollify passions ends pocket. And suppose itself filter frivolous foster better-prepared once move courtroom, absent factfinding. accorded much possibilities see 140, 155-156 (1992), Congress, explain below, thought shortsighted. infra, 7-9. event, arguments suffice refute claim policy justify respondents' position. upshot pragmatism inconclusive. 10 Each says plain controlling. But turns quote same definitions "remedies," anything conclusive. term "remedy" means enforcement right, having sufficient power achieve end sought. 15-16 (citing Webster's New International Dictionary 150, 1920 (1993) (defining "the legal recover prevent wrong" "having end," "capable use accomplishment purpose," "is accessible obtained")). So far so good, infer particularity compensate injuries, offers "remed[y]." general definitions, just do entail conclusion. 11 strikes get amicus closer firm ground assertion naturally offered, possible responses cover demands. Respondents 21. tracks citing define purpose." Dictionary, supra, 1920. exercise isolated definition ultimately inconclusive, for, depending looks, mean either obtainable redress, itself, avenue leading Black's Law 1296 (7th ed. 1999) alternatively "[t]he enforcing preventing redressing wrong," "remedial action; Cf. relief"). 12 find clearer pointers toward objective mentioned. entire modifying clause occur this: "until been "remed[y]" entertained. (as agree), sense referring means, particular ordered. would, example, strange usage say "exhaust" reassigning abusive guard ask else; (in administratively) going more. How personnel? Would spend given him? 13 A second consideration, history, 1995, ed.). scheme, 14 our decision years earlier supra. McCarthy, like officials, Bureau Prison's time apply suits argued should create analogous Bivens actions. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 388 (1971). proposed model, assumption level. understood effect quite different, however. U.S., 149-151. required, language precondition exhaustion. When damages, indicated, statute. Ibid. ("[I]n contrast absence Bureau's procedure, existence 'effective remedies' "); 156 (Rehnquist, joined Scalia Thomas, JJ., concurring judgment) cases furnishes effective remedy"). replaced text construed issue today, presumably former none. result.5 16 Thus, think mandated enough, procedures.6 144 ("Where specifically mandates, required"). accordingly affirm judgment Circuit. 17 NOTES: modified its permit awards 60. There uncertainty, stemming ambiguity pro se filings than became moot transferred. 12, n. 7; Amicus Curiae 10, 2. assume present purposes remain. 110 1321, renumbered amended. Without act leaving exhaust. responsive type allegations raises. is, least, consistent elimination certain "minimum acceptable standards" fairness effectiveness them, courts' excuse "appropriate interests justice." Compare defeats supporting amici reading 1997e traditional doctrines exhaustion, litigant need agency "no decree relief," Reiter Cooper, 507 258, 269 (1993), doing otherwise futile. 24-27; Brennan Center Amici Curiae. getting into generally, stress (which acknowledges, 4) read futility exceptions requirements otherwise. (1992); cf. Weinberger Salfi, 422 749, 766-767 (1975). Here, irrespective avenues.

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