Document: 436 U.S. 407 98 S.Ct. 2276 56 L.Ed.2d 381 Joseph VITEK, etc., et al., appellants,v.Larry D. JONES, appellees No. 77- 888 Supreme Court of the United States May 23, 1978 1978. PER CURIAM. 1 This appeal presents a challenge under Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment to state statute which authorizes transfer prisoner, without his consent, mental hospital upon finding by physician or psychologist that prisoner suffers from disease defect and he cannot be given proper treatment within facility in is confined.1 2 Appellee Larry Jones2 was convicted crime robbery sentenced prison term three nine years. In 1974, began serving sentence at Nebraska Penal Correctional Complex, prison. January 1975, appellee transferred penitentiary hospital; two days later placed solitary confinement adjustment center. While there, set mattress on fire suffered serious burns. ambulance burn unit private where remained for some four months. April immediately following release hospital, security Lincoln Regional Center, owned operated State purpose providing persons af licted with emotional disorders. 3 advance examined psychiatrist as required Neb.Rev.Stat. § 83-180 (1976). The evidence adduced before District revealed that, when asked examining whether not wished transferred, answered did. However, deemed have been involuntary because offered no means obtaining independent advice subject because, view Court, "may well competent exercise free choice."3 It undisputed transferring institution, correctional authorities exercised authority conferred them challenged here. 4 1976, filed complaint seeking intervene civil rights action brought who, like appellee, had Complex Center. 5 three-judge agreed due process attached plaintiffs' asserted liberty interest declared 83-180(1) unconstitutional applied. Miller v. Vitek, 437 F.Supp. 569. also enjoined any penal institution except compliance procedures similar those identified this Court's opinions Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 92 2593, 33 484 (1971), Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 94 2963, 41 935 (1974). Additional forth require furnish inmate effective timely notice and, case an indigent inmate, legal counsel. We noted probable jurisdiction.4 6 On November 17, 1977,5 Board Parole granted parole allowing him receive in-patient psychiatric care Veterans Hospital Danville, Ill. During course oral argument appellee's counsel advised has accepted Hospital. Moreover, according counsel, now cooperating medical staff assigned voluntarily taking medication prescribed him.6 7 light these disclosures, judgment hereby vacated, remanded consideration question mootness. 8 Vacated remanded. 9 Mr. Justice STEVENS, dissenting. 10 person constitutional right hearing being involuntarily important one. affirmative entered injunction protecting agai st risk arbitrary transfer. As long remains appellants' custody, will continue encounter unless effect. Recognizing this, explicitly provided appellants "are . Jones, time complete discharge custody Nebraska,"1 mandated procedures. 11 Jones Nebraska.2 At moment, limited parole, condition receiving services I previously expressed my disagreement conclusion moots controversy between over procedures, see Scott Kentucky Board, 429 60, 97 342, 50 218 (STEVENS, J., dissenting), what said applies even greater force For unlike Scott, does arguably moot live adverse litigants. criminal convict State's hospital. He still custody; if refuses asserts him, hearing, another short, nothing happened destroy substantially lessen Jones' preserving below, vindicating similarly unaffected. therefore respectfully dissent disposition appeal. Rev.Stat. (1976) provides relevant part: "[W]hen designated [Director Services] finds committed [Department defect, chief executive officer may order such segregated other facility. If opinion facility, director arrange examination, study, medical-correctional Department Public Institutions available. A who so shall remain jurisdiction Services returned department when, prior expiration sentence, longer necessary." lawsuit initially single plaintiff, Charles Miller. August 18, plaintiff's suit certified class action. After decertified. Thereafter, William McKinley Hines, George Foote, were added individual plaintiffs-intervenors. released did participate proceedings ordered dismissed plaintiff-intervenor September 12, 1977. Prior entry Foote each completed maximum received final discharge. sole Court. 569, 571 n. 3. 434 1060, 1230, 55 760 (1978). rendered its October 14, Tr. Oral Arg. 13, 19, 41-44. App. Jurisdictional Statement (emphasis added). tentative date until March 1982. Brief Appellants Question Mootness 2.

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