Fulwood v. Alexander

267 F. Supp. 92, 1967 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8306
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedApril 28, 1967
DocketCiv. A. 9811
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 267 F. Supp. 92 (Fulwood v. Alexander) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fulwood v. Alexander, 267 F. Supp. 92, 1967 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8306 (M.D. Pa. 1967).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

FOLLMER, District Judge.

William T. X. Fulwood, a prisoner at the United States Penitentiary, Lewis-burg, Pennsylvania, originally filed this action, in forma pauperis, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Subsequently the cause was transferred to this district. Although Fulwood designated this as a petition for writ of habeas corpus, it appears to be an action in the nature of mandamus under 28 U.S.C. § 1361. Service of process has been made and the defendants have filed an answer, with certain documents attached as exhibits, and request that judgment be entered in their favor.

Fulwood’s complaint is divided into six numbered paragraphs. Each of these paragraphs will be discussed separately. Since the plaintiff is an inmate of a penal institution, the normal legal niceties are lacking. Accordingly, the complaint will be given a reasonably liberal reading in ascertaining whether claims have been stated upon which relief could be granted. Roberts v. Pegelow, 313 F.2d 548, 550 (4th Cir. 1963); Long v. Katzenbach, 258 F.Supp. 89, 91 (M.D.Pa.1966).

In the first paragraph Fulwood states that on May 12, 1966, he was returned to the Lewisburg Penitentiary. Upon his arrival, his personal property was taken by the prison authorities. On May 31, 1966, he received a memorandum stating he could obtain his property which was approved, which property Fulwood received on June 1, 1966.

Exhibit B-l of the defendants’ answer shows that all personal property, except certain specifically designated religious articles were kept by or returned to Fulwood on the date of his readmission to the penitentiary. On May 17, 1966, according to defendants’ Exhibit *94 B-2, Fulwood was advised he could have certain religious books and a letter from Elijah Muhammad. Defendants’ Exhibit B-3 lists the property approved for his personal use and requests that he pick up the material if it is desired. Apparently this is the property which Fulwood admits was returned.

It is clear that there is nothing to the allegations contained in the first paragraph. Obviously, the prison authorities, in maintaining effective prison security, have the right to examine the property of a prisoner entering the institution to ascertain whether there is any contraband therein. Moreover, it does not appear that there is anything about which to complain, thus there is no duty owed to the plaintiff under 28 U.S.C. § 1361.

Fulwood alleges in the second paragraph of the complaint that he had an argument with the Chaplain. It is impossible to determine what the exact nature of his complaint is in this regard. Moreover, it is not at all apparent what this has to do with the naVned defendants. There is nothing stated in the second paragraph upon which relief could be granted.

In the third paragraph of the complaint Fulwood claims that a newspaper clipping was taken from him by an officer who informed him that it was contraband. He further claims that he has been unsuccessful in obtaining a copy of the rules and regulations of the penitentiary in this regard.

In 18 U.S.C. § 1791, the statute dealing with traffic in contraband articles, it is provided as follows:

“Whoever, contrary to any rule or regulation promulgated by the Attorney General, introduces or attempts to introduce into or upon the grounds of any Federal penal or correctional institution or takes or attempts to take or send therefrom any thing whatsoever, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years.”

The applicable regulation, 28 C.F.R. § 6.1 provides:

“The introduction or attempt to introduce into or upon the grounds of any Federal penal or correctional institution or the taking or attempt to take or send therefrom anything whatsoever without the knowledge and consent of the warden or superintendent of such Federal penal or correctional institution is prohibited.”

In regard to 18 U.S.C. § 1791 and 28 C.F.R. § 6.1, it is stated in Carter v. United States, 333 F.2d 354, 355-356 (10th Cir. 1964), as follows:

“ * * * In the exercise of its law-making function, Congréss has committed to the Attorney General the ‘control and management’ of Federal penal and correctional institutions, and has vested him with the duty and authority to ‘promulgate rules for the government thereof.’ 18 U.S.C. § 4001. In the performance of his statutory duty, the Attorney General undoubtedly may provide by regulation that nothing shall be brought into or taken out of a Federal penal institution without the knowledge and consent of the warden or superintendent of such institution. * * *”

In United States v. Ruckman, 169 F. Supp. 160, 163-164 (S.D.W.Va.1959), it is stated in relation to 28 C.F.R. § 6.1, as follows:

“ * * * The Attorney General has by regulation prohibited the trafficking of any thing unless the Warden or Superintendent gives consent, a reasonable regulation enabling the men in charge of the various institutions to know what is coming in or going out of their prisons. The regulation clearly limits itself to the authority delegated by the Act of Congress,
* * * ”

Thus it is not proper to introduce any thing into a federal penitentiary without the knowledge and the consent of the warden. From this it is apparent *95 that there is nothing to the third paragraph of the complaint. 1

In the fourth paragraph, Fulwood states that he received a letter from his Congressman in which was enclosed a letter “from Mr. Myrl Alexander stating that he did not object to the contents of the Muslim literature, but the amount petitioner had created a hazard to the living condition,” which statement Fulwood claims is false. Fulwood also complains that he was not allowed to subscribe to the newspaper “Muhammad Speaks ” -

As to the newspaper, this is highly inflammatory material and any such refusal is justified. Long v. Katzenbach, supra, 258 F.Supp. at 93; Desmond v. Blackwell, 235 F.Supp. 246, 249 (M.D.Pa.1964). The fire hazard issue is too vague.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
267 F. Supp. 92, 1967 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8306, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fulwood-v-alexander-pamd-1967.