Document: 474 U.S. 344 106 S.Ct. 668 88 L.Ed.2d 677 Robert DAVIDSON, Petitionerv.Joseph CANNON et al. No. 84-6470. Argued Nov. 6, 1985. Decided Jan. 21, 1986. Syllabus When threatened by a fellow inmate in the New Jersey State Prison, petitioner sent note reporting incident to respondent Assistant Superintendent of prison, who read and it Corrections Sergeant, who, while informed its contents, did not or notify other officers threat forgot about time he went off duty. Two days later attacked inflicted serious injuries. Petitioner then brought damages action against respondents Federal District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming that they had violated his rights under, inter alia, Fourteenth Amendment negligently failing protect him from inmate. After bench trial, awarded damages, holding was deprived liberty interest personal security as result respondents' negligence such deprivation without due process because statute protects prison officials liability for injuries caused one prisoner another. The Appeals reversed. Held: protections Due Process Clause Amendment, whether procedural substantive, are triggered lack care officials. Daniels v. Williams, 327, 662, 662 (1986). Respondents' care, leading injuries, simply does approach sort abusive government conduct designed prevent. Pp. 347-348. 752 F.2d 817 (CA3 1984), affirmed. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion Court, which BURGER, C.J., WHITE, POWELL, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed an concurring judgment, post, p. 336. BRENNAN, dissenting opinion, 349. BLACKMUN, MARSHALL, joined, James D. Crawford, petitioner. Madeleine W. Mansier, respondents. Sol. Gen. Charles Fried, U.S., amicus curiae, support respondents, special leave Court. Justice REHNQUIST 1 sued seeking 1983 suffered when failed another On December 19, 1980, McMillian, at Prison Leesburg. found way Cannon, on James, Sergeant.* Cannon subsequently testified view situation urgent previous occasions problem contacted directly. 2 received p.m. contents. attended matters, described emergencies, left desk unread. By evening forgotten note, since neither nor worked 20 duty been threat. took no steps than writing alert authorities feared attack, request protective custody. He foresee wrote exonerate himself event McMillian started fight. also wanted reprimand order forestall any future incident. Sunday, with fork, breaking nose inflicting wounds face, neck, head, body. 3 this suit United States Jersey, (and two others) constitutional Eighth Amendments. held established violation "because [respondents] act deliberate callous indifference [petitioner's] needs complained single attack." App. 89. court found, however, "negligently take reasonable [petitioner], injured result." Ibid. thereby deprived, see Parratt Taylor, 451 527, 536-537, 101 1908, 1913-14, 68 420 (1981), security, Ingraham Wright, 430 651, 673, 97 1401, 1413, 51 711 (1977); law provides "[n]either public entity employee is liable . injury prisoner," N.J.Stat.Ann. 59:5-2(b)(4) (1982), concluded process. compensatory $2,000. 4 Third Circuit, hearing case en banc, 1984). While accepting Court's conclusion negligent, agreeing attack implicated recognized interest, majority work "deprivation" within meaning Clause. conceded language supported position merely negligent causing could constitute "deprivation," but "Parratt so hold." F.2d, 826. Accordingly, ruled make out substantive rights, stating remedy "for type case." Id., 829. 5 judges joined separately suggest even if "deprived" liberty, State's decision provide remedy, strong protecting liability, violate Three dissented, essentially embracing 6 We granted certiorari, 471 1134, 105 2673, 86 692 (1985), set oral argument Finding principles enunciated controlling here, we affirm. 7 In Daniels, official unintended life, property. words, where injury, procedure compensation constitutionally required. case, challenge finding " 'did needs,' 820. Instead, claims only inmate." Brief 2. therefore controls. 8 led 331-333, S.Ct., 665-666. Far abusing governmental power, employing instrument oppression, mistakenly believed particularly serious, note. guarantee has never understood mean must part 9 effort limit potentially broad sweep claim, emphasizes "does ask Constitution absolute guarantor assault prisoner, jailers." 17. Describing claim "procedural process, pure simple," id., 14, all asks remedy. But require there protected interest. Petitioner's based negligence, quite different involving unjustified guards themselves, Johnson Glick, 481 1028 (CA2), (Friendly, J.), cert. denied sub nom. John Johnson, 414 1033, 94 462, 38 324 (1973), stood permitted proceed, Curtis Everette, 489 516 1973), Smith Curtis, 416 995, 2409, 40 774 (1974). As Clause, just 10 judgment Circuit 11 It ordered. 12 [For STEVENS 677]. 13 dissenting. 14 I agree state official, though do believe, causes recklessness indifference, deprive victim Amendment. 15 BLACKMUN persuasively demonstrates dissent, record strongly suggests officials' failure reckless negligent. like would vacate remand may review reckless. 16 whom MARSHALL joins, 17 put Davidson stripped means self-protection. forbade access weapon. N.J. Dept. Standards 251.4.a.201 .202. fighting back. 251.4.a.002, .003, .004. blocked avenues escape. forced rely solely own agents protection. violence inmate, turned protection, ignored plea help. result, assaulted stab face body well broken required surgery. 18 nevertheless excuses were "merely injury" law. Ante, 347. relies proposition easier companion (1986), overrules (1981). suit, holds pretrial detainee, allegedly slipped pillow jail stairs deputy, matter 19 concur join extending case. thing hold commonplace slip fall, loss $23.50 hobby kit, supra, rise dignified level violation. somewhat say permits anticipated resulting perhaps leads execution wrong implicate Constitution's incarcerated intact faculties avoiding fall. prevented defending himself, assumed some responsibility dangers exposed. these circumstances, feel Moreover, acts have risen recklessness. dissent. * broke up fight between inmates. later, Friday, three before disciplinary officer. Only three, Gibbs, guilty fighting. returned their unit, Davidson. decided report threat, advance primarily get precautions. 85 (District findings fact). See 75. reported Officer Garcia. Because history assaults fighting, 33-34, 62, Garcia seriousness McMillian's threats. relate writing. Davidson's told return unit. 21 think personally come nature earlier 44, 46. nonetheless asked speak Davidson, changed mind learned already 42. Rather usual preventive measures, separating inmates, placing custody, attempting ascertain gravity talking two, pass along Sergeant Internal Affairs Unit. 43. 22 followed Cannon's order, giving approximately 2:15 p.m., informing concerned McMillian. 38-39. ordered immediately, urgency. follow normal interviewing complainant. 50. tasks considered be higher priority, 61 paperwork knife cell. latter emergency situation; conceded, cell double locked secure. 51. James' regular shift ended second night Center Keeper until 10:30 ordinarily investigates threats again 54-55. "normal routine." 59. made least conscious decisions note; it. Had remembered, notified weekend shift. 59-60. A normally over weekend. 23 Meanwhile, alerted potential through channel. Wednesday, 17, Gibson "Special Report" source "not yet." recommended keeping Gibbs detention area 80. This recommendation apparently ignored, both remained 24 Neither during 48. 28, gave suit. II 25 appears recognize (as 662) implicates "liberty" includes freedom intrusions security. 673-674, 1413-1414, (1977). particular, prisoner's right safe conditions Youngberg Romeo, 457 307, 315-316, 102 2452, 2457-2458, 73 28 (1982).1 Before can retains after imprisonment, afford adequate procedures. Vitek Jones, 445 480, 493-494, 100 1254, 1263-1264, 63 552 (1980). 26 Although Daniels' interests infringed, sense. past, requires "familiar two-stage analysis: first asserted individual encompassed Amendment's protection 'life, property.' 672, 1413 (emphasis added). If so, "we decide what procedures 'due law.' generally more mere infringement purpose should guide our determination actions contain element abuse "touchstone arbitrary government." Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 558, 2963, 2976, 41 935 Finally, activity will amount power. Where today errs, my view, elevating sensible rule thumb status inflexible dogma. declares concerns justification rigid view. cases, standard, power.2 those cases. 27 seems me assumes sole one's physical ignores call help, cannot know subsequent likely occur. Under automatically excused responsibility. context prisons, once taken away inmate's official's providing absent extenuating circumstances.3 Such "arbitrary action" protects. cases thus remote 1983.4 raise concern noted 332, 666, "[t]he tie facts anything nature" identity parties. coincidentally connected inmate-guard relationship; same occurred staircase. able anywhere else stairs. prohibit looking going taking avoid pillow.5 29 contrast, renders person vulnerable strips ability defend results performing peculiarly related function. Negligence '[m]isuse possessed virtue possible wrongdoer clothed authority Monroe Pape, 365 167, 184, 81 473, 482, 492 (1961), quoting Classic, 313 299, 326, 1031, 1043, L.Ed. 1368 (1941). known directly often violent life prisoners. And inmates central primary missions running prison—the maintenance internal Hudson Palmer, 468 517, 524, 104 3194, 3199, 82 393 (1984). 30 "trivialized," ante, 665, recognizing situations lead liberty. contrary, excusing demeans dignity.6 III 31 Even accept constitutes deprivation, vote affirm Appeals. here reckless, substantial reason doubt conclusion. Since holding, review. 32 previously indicated recklessly disregard victim. Wade, 461 30, 103 1625, 75 632 (1983), guard acted shared victimized plaintiff locate empty nearby. plaintiff, recently removed cellmates. far clear present less 33 forewarning changes complexion actual notice need 'administrative safety.' Layne Vinzant, 657 468, (CA1 1981), West Rowe, 448 F.Supp. 58, 60 (ND Ill.1978). Matzker Herr, 748 1142, 1149 (CA7 1984); Miller Solem, 728 1020, 1024-1025 (CA8), denied, 469 841, 145, 83 84 Cf. Baker McCollan, 443 137, 148, 99 2689, 2696, 433 (1979) (concurring opinion) (sheriff adopt identifying arrestees rather legitimate procedures). 34 Respondents "had plaintiff's safety, violence, opportunity prevent harm plaintiff." 89 conclusions law). Both knew immediately. troublemaker, 41, chose serious. Likewise, attend matters entire eight hours receiving 86-87. intentionally delayed real possibility violence. Porm White, 762 635, 636-638 (CA8 1985). Estelle Gamble, 429 97, 104-105, 285, 291, 50 251 (1976) (intentional delay necessary medical seriously ill Amendment). check found; back brewing Yet risk occur obvious. behavior very sufficiently irresponsible safety. 35 deemed categorically insufficient cause sufficient. Recklessness prove show denial essential ban cruel unusual punishments. 104, 291. broader see, e.g., Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 1861, 447 (1979); 557-558, 2975; Revere Massachusetts General Hospital, 463 239, 244, 2979, 2983, 77 605 certainly culpable mental state. IV 36 "without law." That condition clearly satisfied. Hudson, property random unauthorized impracticable satisfy meaningful postdeprivation tort 541, 1916; 520-521, 3197. assuming true deprivations statute, ruled: "Neither prisoner." (West 1982). acknowledges immunity defense state-court complaint dismissed being heard merits. 34. 37 Conduct wrongful surely immunized define defenses, including immunities, state-law action, long conflict federal Ferri Ackerman, 444 193, 198, 402, 406, 62 355 (1979). permitting control 'would transmute basic into illusory promise; supremacy clause insures proper construction enforced.' Martinez California, 277, 284, n. 8, 553, (1980), Hampton Chicago, 484 602, 607 415 917, 39 irrelevant applied defeat constitutional, construed aspect definition claim. 281-282, 5, 557, 5. misuse "government officials, class, totally exempt, immunity, terms." Scheuer Rhodes, 232, 243, 1683, 1690, 90 Strong argue allowing bring statute. 13, 13. First, "a significantly deserves right." 196, 488 opinion). Second, legislative 1983's predecessor makes Congress intended alter federal-state relationship respect rights. "The interpose courts people, guardians people's rights." Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 242, 92 2151, 2162, 705 (1972). "to available practice." 174, 477. 'an manner' 'for [a] appropriate case.' Logan Zimmerman Brush Co., 455 422, 437, 1148, 1158, 71 265 (1982) (citations omitted) original). Lacking court, reverse award $2,000 reinstated. agreed announced not—I addressed civilian officer, said: "When unit seeing you outside past 'I'll fuck old mother-fucking fag.' Go your cell, there. "I person's thought Then figured tell 'if' develops aware. "I'm content let drop evidently isn't. "Thank you, R. Davidson." 817, 819 Romeo institutionalized patient's resulted professionally acceptable concerning confinement. essence complaint, course, judgments acceptable. Youngberg, event, factually inapposite Davidson—like Daniels—does general important confuse absence action. Negligent deliberate. Prosser, Dobb, Keeton, & Owen, Prosser Keeton Law Torts, 31, 171 (5th ed. Germanic, 196 589, 317, 49 610 (1905). inadvertently. They deliberately Whether denominated intentional function likelihood occurrence substantially certain, imputes actor intent Restatement (Second) Torts 8A, Comment b (1965). 170. high government's efforts unacceptable, omission still might categorized negligence. 106, 292, (1976), contrary. Estelle, valid physician's diagnosis treatment allegation requirement wantonness shown flows conduct. drafters included 'torture[s]' 'barbar[ous]' methods punishment" (quotations citation omitted). 102, 290. text, infra, underlying setting police arrest motorist freeway young children alone car side road cold night, White Rochford, 592 381 1979). adopting sought "against representing capacity unable unwilling enforce 176, 478, (1961) violation, confinement give increased standard discussed above. typically restraint punishing convicted persons. Rhodes Chapman, 452 337, 2392, 69 59 "Traditionally, meant facility which, how modern antiquated, restricting movement detainee manner restricted free walk streets pending trial." 537, 1873, Block Rutherford, 576, 3227, 438 notion trivialization especially difficult understand given recognition provisions. Leon, 897, 919-923, 23, 3405, 3419-3421, (1984) (Fourth

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