Legal Document

404 U.S. 249 92 Supreme Court Reporter 407 30 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 418 Alan Daniel WILWORDING et al.v.Harold R. SWENSON, Warden. Number 70—5308. Dec. 14, 1971. PER CURIAM. 1 On the ground that they challenged only their living conditions and disciplinary measures while confined in maximum security at Missouri State Penitentiary, did not seek release, petitioners' state habeas corpus petitions were dismissed. The affirmed. Petitioners then sought federal District for Western of Missouri. dismissed petitions, 331 F.Supp. 1188, Appeals Eighth Circuit affirmed, 439 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1331. Although petitioners had exhausted relief agreed with requirements 28 Code KF62 § 2254 been satisfied because invoked any a number possible alternatives to including 'a suit injunction, writ prohibition, or mandamus declaratory judgment courts,' perhaps other under Administrative Procedure Act. Id., 1336. 2 * Section does erect insuperable successive barriers invocation corpus. exhaustion requirement is merely an accommodation our system designed give initial 'opportunity pass upon correct' alleged violations its prisoners' rights. Fay versus Noia, 372 391, 438, 83 822, 848, 9 837 (1963). are required file 'repetitious applications' courts. Brown Allen, 344 443, 449 n. 3, 73 397, 403, 97 L.Ed. 469 (1953). Nor mere possibility success additional proceedings bar relief. Roberts LaVallee, 389 40, 42—43, 88 194, 196—197, 19 41 (1967); Coleman Maxwell, 351 285, 286 (CA6 1965). Whether would have heard petitioner's claims suggested alternative matter conjecture; certainly no available procedure was indicated by earlier cases. See McMichaels Hancock, 428 1222, 1223 (CA1 1970). Furthermore, we referred single instance, regardless remedy invoked, which courts granted hearing prisoners on confinement. In these circumstances require pursue as prerequisite taking court. As Mr. Justice Rutledge stated his concurrence Marino Ragen, 332 561, 568, 68 240, 244, 170 (1947): 3 'The exhaustion-of-state-remedies rule should be stretched absurdity requiring separate remedies when outset petitioner cannot intelligently select proper way, conclusion he may find none (alternatives) appropriate effective.' II 4 Moreover, although cognizable corpus, see Johnson Avery, 393 483, 89 747, 21 718 (1969), pleading also read plead causes action Civil Rights Acts, 42 1983, §§ 1343(3) 1343(4), deprivation constitutional rights prison officials. like actions, exhaustive opinion Jackson Bishop, 571 (CA8 1968), (then Judge) Blackmun stated: 5 'These actions instituted 1966 handwritten employing varying titles (including 'habeas corpus'). Each plaintiff asked appointment counsel permission proceed forma pauperis. Those requests granted. Appointed filed amended complaints treated all concerned injunctive civil statutes, US.C. 1983 (4). We jurisdiction. satisfied, district judges, cases appropriately regarded class within scope reach Rule 23, Fed.R.Civ.P.' 572—573. 6 therefore entitled subject, basis allegations, requirements. provided Acts 'is supplementary remedy, latter need first refused before one invoked.' Monroe Pape, 365 167, 183, 81 473, 482, 492 (1961); McNeese Board Education, 373 668, 1433, 10 622 (1963); Damico California, 416, 526, 647 (1967). held stricter standard than plaintiffs. Houghton Shafer, 392 639, 2119, 20 1319 (1968). There inmate's challenge confiscation legal materials without seeking administrative redress sustained. probable futility such appeals noted, 'any event, resort unnecessary.' 640, S.Ct., 2120. Accordingly, motions pauperis petition certiorari granted, reversed, case remanded further consistent this opinion.* 7 It so ordered. 8 Reversed directions. BLACKMUN concurs Part Court's per curiam opinion. Chief BURGER, dissenting. 11 This singularly inappropriate summary reversal adequate record, briefs argument. assumes citation authority futile; Judge, far more familiar local situation, thought otherwise. rest ground, however, it blandly treats approach experienced has studiously avoided. previously expressly denied after full hearing. conceded almost involved those underlie instant proceeding; but argues doctrine res judicata application explain why argument lost if 1983. 12 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions limited where error manifest. Here, largely surmise gone reverse theory consider presumably could considered. appears statutes filing below, dissent asserts concedes 'that proceeding.' (Emphasis supplied.) unable concession petition. At page following appear: 'Almost presented (the actions) raised originally underlying Petition.' Indeed, reply brief disclaims knowledge what cases, stating: 'As writer participate Act view generalized nature herein, known whether issues intended cases.' Reply Brief 7. must conclude clear from record same here. effect, any, determined remand.

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