Court Opinion

ID: 1087389
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-29 00:04:23.039158+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:30:47.100133
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

IN THE MATTER OF THE                              No. 69577-1-1                            'T
PERSONAL RESTRAINT OF:

                                                  DIVISION ONE
TORREY NORMAN,
                                                  UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                     Petitioner.
                                                  FILED: October 28, 2013

       Per Curiam. Torrey Norman files this personal restraint petition challenging the

sanctions imposed following a prison disciplinary hearing. Becausethe Department of
Corrections (DOC) relied on confidential information without sufficient facts indicating

reliability, we grant the petition and remand to DOC for a new hearing.
       Norman was infracted on October 26, 2011 under WAC 137-25-030 (620) (receipt

or possession of contraband during participation in off-grounds orouter perimeter activity
orwork detail) and WAC 137-28-220 (889) (unauthorized use offacility phones/related
equipment or use of computer to conduct unauthorized or illegal business). In the Initial
Serious Infraction Report, a corrections officer reported:

       On 10-20-2011, offender Norman, Torrey #896030 was communicating with
       a former offender Hoyt, H#329791 to schedule contraband drops close to
       the facility through the J-pay system. Offender Norman, Torrey #896030
       used offender Bolt, Micheal [sic] #327658 pin number on the J-pay system.'11
       In return offender Norman, Torrey #896030 was to give offender store to
       offender Bolt, Micheal #327658 for use of the J-pay. This report will solidify
       the summary of the confidential information report.

       1J-Pay is an electronic system in which inmates can receive funds or
communicate by e-mail.
No. 69577-1-1/2

During Norman's disciplinary hearing on November 2, 2011, a hearing officer left the room

to examine the confidential information that formed the basis ofthe infraction report.2 The
hearing officer concluded that "[fjhere is not enough information to make an independent

determination of reliability and/or credibility of the confidential information." Nevertheless,

the hearing officerfound Norman guilty of both infractions. Norman was sanctioned with

20 days lost good conduct time and 30 days of restriction on visitation and

correspondence.

       This court will not disturb the result of a prison disciplinary proceeding unless action

taken was "so arbitrary and capricious as to deny the petitioner a fundamentally fair

proceeding." In re Pers. Restraint of Reismiller, 101 Wash. 2d 291, 294, 678 P.2d 323

(1984). A disciplinary proceeding is not arbitrary and capricious if the inmate was afforded

the applicable minimum due process protections and the decision was supported by at

least some evidence. In re Pers. Restraint of Krier, 108 Wash. App. 31, 38, 29 P.3d 720

(2001). The evidentiary requirements of due process are satisfied if there is "some

evidence" in the record to support a prison disciplinary decision. In re Pers. Restraint of

Johnston. 109 Wash. 2d 493, 497, 745 P.2d 864 (1987). When a prison disciplinary

proceeding is premised on confidential information, DOC must provide the inmate with a

summary of the information used and the hearing officer must make an independent

determination of the reliability of the informant, the credibility of the information, and the

necessity of confidentiality. WAC 137-28-290, -300(7). Due process requires that the

record contain some factual information from which the hearing officer can reasonably

       2At the request ofthis court, DOC provided the confidential information for an in
camera review.
No. 69577-1-1/3

conclude that the confidential information was reliable, as well as an affirmative

statement indicating that safety considerations preclude disclosing the confidential

informant's identity. Zimmerlee v. Keenev. 831 F.2d 183, 186 (9th Cir. 1987).

       Here, the hearing officer explicitly found that there was no factual information

supporting the reliability of the confidential information. The corrections officer's

statement in the infraction report was premised entirely on this confidential information.

Without a showing that the confidential information was reliable, it does not meet the

"some evidence" standard required to satisfy due process.

       Under the circumstances, we are satisfied that Norman has established a basis

for relief by showing that he was not afforded his minimal due process rights during the

disciplinary proceedings. Accordingly, we grant the petition and remand to DOC to

conduct a hearing at which the minimum due process requirements are met.3
                                           FOR THE COURT:

                                            ^J^V-cg&w

       3We need not reach Norman's remaining claim regarding the opportunity to
present witnesses at his hearing. In addition, because Norman is not entitled to
compensation by means of a personal restraint petition, his request for "compensation for
loss [sic] wages, Pain & Suffering, and $1000 a day for the time he was unable to
communicate with his family and friends during the holidays" is denied.