Court Opinion

ID: 9459616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:26:04.077214+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:14.875605
License: Public Domain

KOELSCH, Circuit Judge
(concurring specially).
As I read the record, the court below dismissed the actions on Rule 12(b)(6) grounds and did not, as the majority opinion seems to suggest, resort to nor pass upon the parties’ respective Rule 56 motions for summary judgment.
Had it been necessary for the court to consider the latter motions, then we should reverse, for plaintiffs tendered a number of counter-affidavits setting out facts purporting to support their allegations that the questioned provision of the revised “Policy Statement” of February 11, 1972, violated, and were being applied in a manner that violated, their First Amendment rights. However, upon inspection of those provisions, the conclusion is manifest to me that none of them have, or could have, such an effect. The provisions are narrowly drawn and prohibit specific conduct that would, at least arguably, infringe upon a substantial federal interest in protecting the federal penal system. In short, I am firmly convinced that plaintiffs neither stated, nor could they state, any actionable claim or claims, and that we need not, indeed should not, suggest otherwise.
I concur in the result.