Legal Document

427 U.S. 215 96 Supreme Court Reporter 2532 49 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 451 Larry MEACHUM et al., Petitioners,v.Arthur FANO al. Number 75-252. Argued April 21, 1976. Decided June 25, Rehearing Denied Oct. 4, See 429 873, 97 191. Syllabus The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment Held not to entitle a duly convicted state prisoner factfinding hearing when he is transferred prison conditions which are substantially less favorable him, absent law or practice conditioning such transfers on proof serious misconduct occurrence other specified events. Such transfer does infringe implicate "liberty" interest within meaning Clause. Pp. 223-229. (a) Given valid conviction, criminal defendant has been constitutionally deprived his liberty extent that State may confine him and subject rules its system so long as confinement do otherwise violate Constitution. Pacific KF135 P2 224. (b) in itself protect against from one institution another, life much more disagreeable than another signify implicated with severe rules. 225. (c) To hold Any substantial deprivation imposed by authorities triggers procedural protections would judicial review wide spectrum discretionary actions traditionally have business administrators rather federal courts. Wolff versus McDonnell, 418 539, 94 2963, 41 935, distinguished. 225-227. (d) Whatever expectation remaining at particular behaves himself, it too ephemeral insubstantial trigger due process officials discretion for any reason whatsoever no all. 228. 520 Federal Reporter, 2nd 374, reversed. Michael C. Donahue, Boston, Mass., petitioners. Keith Atlantic Jones, Washington, D.C., States, amicus curiae, special leave Court. Richard E. Shapiro, respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion 1 question here whether entitles prisoner, We not. 2 * During 21/2-month period 1974, there were nine fires Massachusetts Correctional Institution Norfolk medium-security institution. Based primarily reports informants, six respondent inmates removed general population placed Receiving Building, an administrative detention area used new inmates. Proceedings then had before Classification Board respect respondents be possibly maximum-security institution, living those Norfolk. Each was notified classification informed information indicating engaged conduct.1 3 Individual hearings held, each being represented counsel. began reading prepared statement Board. heard, In camera out respondents' presence, testimony petitioner Meachum, superintendent, who repeated received informants. told edence supported allegations contained notice but ever given transcripts summaries Meachum's allowed present evidence own behalf; denied involvement infraction investigated. Some submitted supportive written statements correction officers. A social worker also testified presence respondent, furnishing respondent's custodial record, including prior rule infractions, if any, aspects performance "general adjustment" 4 recommended Royce segregation 30 days; Fano, Dussault, McPhearson Walpole, where prisoners DeBrosky Hathaway Bridgewater both maximum- facilities. reasons stated Board's reports,2 which, however, available Although aware import informants' recommendations drew upon informant sources, details this revealed included part record us. 5 reviewed Acting Deputy Commissioner Treatment Corrections basis report They accepted Hathaway, McPhearson. ordered Walpole.3 carried out, two exceptions.4 No subjected disciplinary punishment arrival prison. None entailed loss good time confinement.5 6 Meanwhile brought action under 42 Code KF62 § 1983 petitioners superintendent; Hall, Corrections; Dawber, Treatment, alleging without them adequate hearing. sought injunction setting aside transfer, declaratory relief, damages. 7 District understood 935 (1974), held inadequate case. Respondents returned until after proper Petitioners promulgate regulations establish procedures governing future involving testimony. divided panel Appeals affirmed, holding institutions involved "a significant modification overall confinement" change circumstances "serious enough application protections." Id., 377-378.6 8 granted officials' petition writ certiorari, 423 1013, 444, 46 384 (1975), order determine Constitution required conduct connection case condition authority specific acts events and, so, adequate. light our resolution first issue, we reach second. II 9 prohibits depriving person life, liberty, property law. initial inquiry Walpole infringed Contrary Appeals, did reject outset notion grievous visited sufficient invoke DuProcess Regents Roth, 408 564, 92 2701, 33 548 (1972), university professor job, surely matter great substance, because position, dismissal. determining factor nature weight. 570-571, S.Ct., 2705-06. 10 Similarly, cannot agree having adverse impact force forbids convicting crime complying fully requirements But require felons; nor guarantee will prison, if, likely, correctional decision assign convict audit Clause, although degree quite different another. conviction sufficiently extinguished defendant's empower Of prisons. 11 Neither, view, system. Confinement State's normal limits range custody authorized impose. That 12 Our cases felon forfeit all constitutional He retains variety important rights courts must alert protect. U.S., 556, 2974, cited. none these reaches one; urged 13 Transfers between institutions, example, made often involve predictions what best serve institutional security safety welfare inmate. Yet approach here, whatever reason, could said place burdensome experiencing. unwilling go far. 14 heavily relied, contrary. Under case, certain good-time credits misconduct. identified dinot originate Constitution, "itself credit satisfactory behavior while prison." 557, 2975. itself, "not only provided statutory right specifies forfeited misbehavior." Ibid. concluded: 15 "(A) person's equally protected, even creation State. touchstone protection individual arbitrary government, Dent West Virginia, 129 114, 123, 231, 233, 32 L.Ed. 623 (1889). Since Nebraska can lose they guilty misconduct, determination occurred becomes critical, minimum appropriate observed." At 558, 2976. 16 protected roots law, appropriated "to insure state-created arbitrarily abrogated." This consistent Goss Lopez, 419 565, 95 729, 725 (1975); supra ; Perry Sindermann, 593, 2694, 570 (1972); Goldberg Kelly, 397 254, 90 1011, 25 287 (1970). 17 Here, conferred remain initially assigned, defeasible Insofar advised, prisons conditioned events.7 On contrary, vested officials. predicate invoking construed applied McDonnell totally nonexistt 18 Even occur events, argued charges misbehavior, initiate influence erroneous, should confining suffered prisoner. inmate's conduct, instances, major expected unless assumed mindless prisoner's past anticipated very likely taken into account selecting incarcerated penological goals. 19 precipitate transfer; behavior, perhaps take But, said, number reasons. Their limited instances As understand legal violated their proved accordance might circumstances. 20 Holding arrangements like astride day-to-day functioning judiciary issues decisions judges. decline interpret apply sit supervise prisons, administration acute States. Preiser Rodriguez, 411 475, 491-492, 93 1827, 1837, 36 439 (1973); Cruz Beto, 405 319, 321, 1079, 1081, 31 263 Johnson Avery, 393 483, 486, 89 747, 749, 21 718 (1969). course, free follow statute, regulation, interpretation constitutions. thus decide prudent requires pretransfer hearings. impose nationwide mandating hearings.8 judgment accordingly 22 Reversed. 23 STEVENS, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 24 Court's rationale disturbing narrow holding. If merely penal cause amount Amendment,1 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions disagree conclusion analysis. today, appears rest conception consider fundamentally incorrect. indicates "liberty interest" either sources. According Court, "originate Constitution," Supra, 226, "its law." Apart possible origins, unable find liberty. 26 man creature state, analysis correct. neither Bill Rights laws sovereign create protects. relevant provisions limitations power citizen. rights, curtail freedom citizen live society. essential exercise enjoyment complex source exclusive source. 27 thought self-evident men endowed Creator cardinal unalienable rights. It basic protects, privileges regulations. 28 correct description not, For, hypothesis, dealing persons fair trial. therefore ask follows total partial. 29 prevailing view essentially total. penitentiary inmate considered "the slave State." Ruffin Commonwealth, 62 Va. 790, 796 (1871). wording Thirteenth some support point view,2 "courts recent years moderated harsh implications Amendment."3 moderating trend culminated landmark notwithstanding pursuant parolee measure entitled protection. "We see, therefore, parolee, indeterminate, includes many core values unqualified termination inflicts 'grievous loss' others. hardly useful longer try deal problem terms parolee's 'right' 'privilege.' By name, valuable seen Amendment. Its calls orderly process, however informal." Morrissey Brewer, 471, 482, 2593, 2601, 484. narrowly careful emphasis permission outside walls, necessarily possesses residuum conviction. For release pare conditional, interrupt custody. convinced Seventh Circuit correctly analyzed true significance holding, wrote court 1973: "In fact physical species custody, persuaded actually portends conceptual holding: clause indeed coexist following adjudication guilt partial, remains. 34 "As noted Morales Schmidt, once mere now rejected. restraints entails beyond ethical tradition accords dignity intrinsic worth every individual. 'Liberty' 'custody' mutually concepts. 35 "If Decision distinction conditional large society,[5] precede believe regard interests inmate, well segment society inmates,[6] read." ex rel. Miller Twomey, 479 701, 712-713. demeans importantly concept ascribe nothing created through greater chooses allow, really little described 19th century cases. think clear treated never ignore. 37 premise inconsistent recognition obvious latitude crime. control population, retain individuals, groups prisoners, quickly review. respects problems comparable encountered military force. Prompt unquestioning obedience individual, commands understand, preservation discipline. Nevertheless, controlled time, acquires status respect. 38 Imprisonment intended accomplish temporary removal offender prevent committing offenses during incarceration. While denies opportunity offend, gives improve himself acquire skills habits help participate open release. Within community, my hypothesis correct, pursue rehabilitative goals, minimum, maintain attributes associated tightly unquestionably status, abruptly adversely; grievous, arbitrarily. afforded. 39 mean, adversity amounts Amendment.4 There loss, term somewhat flexible. woulcertainly system, onerous confinement, loss. hand, am identify principled differentiating solitary disparate facility 40 note Constitution.5 respectfully dissent. DeBrosky, Dussault notice: "The department reliable you possession instruments weapons and/or ammunition joined plans use contraband items. "These items unrest MCI, posed threat lives damage." sources significantly planning execution occurring few weeks. These caused considerable damage real personal safety." Respondent trafficking (narcotics, barbiturates amphetamines). "This fires, With recorded: "Reasons decision: "1. 'reliable sources' deemed acceptable produced truthful verifiable incidents, avoided harm prevented. "2. program facilities MCI has, effect doing time. "To Attorney: "There committee us yourself situation programming time." Fano was: inclosed summary considered. tend corroborate other. addition, times named conjunction adds weight board reliability information. seriousness involvements extreme. danger materials violence weighs population. type organizer, leader (e)nforcer detrimental prohibitive McPhearson: "Basis Recommendation: Informant Information judged detail weighed seriously board(')s making. regarding subject's attitude motivation seemed adequately man's board. (He treatment classification.) came three When asked, Meachum course night 13th substantiated presented (see attached letter). themselves reliable, especially Contract D. (See concerning sources.)" stated: Decision: questioned interview re: expressed 'serious . ," immediately went discussion denying (guilt) privy information, known specifics mentioned charges. talked, appeared involved. incidents "3. avocation programs benefit him. "Decision Presented Hathaway: feels environment associates current Because this, recommendation Bridgewater. programs, AA you. avocational center become active. Medium Security tried listen you've 'Trust me' Give me chance. .' "Mr. Stolzberger requested client return empty room sell Avo equipment. Denied. "A counter suggestion work Jackson, ends. accepted." explanation Supt Norfolk, several contributed presenting felt decisive factor, transfer. Both Source elsewhere report. additional Defendant 2-3). emotional instability resorting earlier absolute violence. making effort get together help. His relationship Mrs. Lowenstein Jackson efforts. indi- cated poetry, avocation, school reaffirm intent self improvement." Debrosky, shows only: "Summary Conclusions: "Informant Excised." Commissioner's reported DeBrosky's attorney follows: aware, placement MCI-Bridgewater. However, thorough facts, concern intelligence connected weapon, decided MCI-Walpole. referred above reliable. Your request back MCI-Norfolk denied." explained Royce: "Upon examination related reached "Placement: Walpole. "Reasons: assigning feel demonstrated accept responsibility commensurate assignment medium facility. Nov. 1, 1974 whereby destroyed displayed disrespect Officer played decision." hearing, hospitalized yet transferred. addition furnished copy specifying alleged applicable proceedings local district investigation action. distinguish transfers: attach purposes 'classification' 'discipline.' Defendants assert 'there instant overtones ones,' already indicated motive officials, such, properly calculus. Gomes Travisono, 510 537, 541 (1st Cir. 1974). Whether way preserving order, effects same appropriateness depends accuracy official allegation misconduct." F.2d, 376 n. 2. 537 (CA 1974) modifying affirming, 490 1209 (1973). Other Courts Second Circuit, see Montanye Haymes, 236, 2543, 466, accompany transfers. Aikens Lash, 514 55 (C.A.7 1975); Carroll Sielaff, 415 Ault Holmes, 506 288 (C.A.6 1974); Stone Egeler, Bryant Hardy, 488 72 (C.A.4 1973). Still others call Gray Creamer, 465 179, 187 (C.A.3 1972); Hillen Director, 455 (C.A.9 cf. Fajeriak McGinnis, 493 468 occurred, General Laws Annotated, chapter 127, §§ (1974) "s 20. prisoners; approval shall established commissioner, governor council, reception male except sentenced Institution, commonwealth, Bridgewater, sheriff officer execute sentence purpose female Framingham, supervision deputy commissioner treatment. treatment, direct professional staff assigned center, responsible grading classifying charge center." 97. institutions; commonwealth county serving jail house correction, correction. Prisoners original sentences parole commonwealth." Nor underlay it, affecting possibilities parole. granting function applicable. Scott Kentucky Parole Board, 74-6438, cert. granted, 1031, 561, 404 (1975). eventuates, contentions unfounded files. "No deprive property, .." U.S.Const., Amdt. 14, 1. Section provides: "Neither slavery involuntary servitude, Except whereof party convicted, Shall exist jurisdiction." 13, (emphasis added). 489 1335, 1338 1973), modified rehearing en banc, 494 85 (1974). [4] dissenting Judge Lay quoted excerpt President's Commission Law Enforcement Administration Justice, Task Force Report: 83 (1967) (hereinafter cited Report): '"A tenet governmental, religious, how degenerate. radical departure defined class persons, criminals, regime determined wholly unaccountable power. ." 443 (942), 952 no. "[5] Report, 6-12. " Blurring Lines Between Community," 10-11. 713 23. "[6] 'A portion affected area. Approximately 1.3 million people authority; untold millions records. increasing doubt propriety treating group as, varying degrees, outcasts And ultimate Denying offenders chance challenge assertions barring legitimate opportunities employment, goal rehabilitation, emphasizes need instill willingness cooperate assume role citizen.' Report 82." experienced write Reminds flexible takes importance stake; thus, abundantly myriad scope concern. Only deprivations raise Morrissey. Moreover, choose 'full panoply' accorded prosecution, safeguards whatsoever, Rather, Aptly illustrates, shaped fit needs situation." 713. lost laundry income running Norfolk; job plumber, performing difficult well"; separated counselors "good relationship" helped together." losses generally restrictive inherent compared

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