In re the Personal Restraint of Leland

61 P.3d 357, 115 Wash. App. 517
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJanuary 16, 2003
DocketNo. 21269-6-III
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 61 P.3d 357 (In re the Personal Restraint of Leland) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re the Personal Restraint of Leland, 61 P.3d 357, 115 Wash. App. 517 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).

Opinion

Brown, C.J. —

John E. Leland seeks relief from personal restraint in the form of 90 days lost good time credit and other sanctions imposed February 7, 2002 after a Department of Corrections (DOC) hearing officer found him guilty of a serious prison infraction under WAC 137-28-260 (752) (receiving a positive test for use of unauthorized drugs). Because Mr. Leland alleged due process violations in the conduct of his disciplinary hearing, the court directed DOC to submit a response on the merits. DOC instead preemptively and summarily held a rehearing of the infraction and reimposed the loss of good time sanction and, in addition, [522]*522has placed him on no-contact visitor status. DOC then opined the personal restraint petition was thus rendered moot. We disagree.

This petition presents two primary questions. First, did DOC lack jurisdiction to hold a rehearing of Mr. Leland’s infraction while his personal restraint petition was pending in the appellate court? Second, was Mr. Leland denied due process rights at his initial infraction hearing and, if so, what is his remedy? The answer to both questions is yes. Accordingly, we grant Mr. Leland’s personal restraint petition, vacate the February 7, 2002 serious infraction ruling, deem the rehearing void, and direct restoration of Mr. Leland’s lost good time credits.

FACTS

Mr. Leland received the “752” infraction based upon the following staff report of Sergeant Perkins, as contained in the Initial Serious Infraction Report:

On 01-28-02 at approximately 1930, Officer Turner collected a urine sample from inmate Leland, John .... The sample was tested on 02/05/02 by Comprehensive Toxicology Services. The sample tested positive for Cocaine. The positive test result was confirmed by thin layer chromatography. Proper procedures were followed for the collection, storage, and transfer of the specimen per DOC Policy 420.380.

DOC Second Suppl. Resp. (Oct. 7, 2002), Attach. A, Serious Infraction Report. Mr. Leland acknowledged in writing his receipt of a disciplinary hearing notice on February 6, 2002. He requested witness statements from staff officers Hughes, Neal, and Turner. At some point not disclosed in the record, Mr. Leland received a copy of the February 5 toxicology report showing a positive cocaine test. He has attached a photocopy of the report to his personal restraint petition.

The minutes from Mr. Leland’s disciplinary hearing held February 7, 2002 reveal that none of his requested witness [523]*523statements were produced for the hearing. He pleaded “not guilty” and gave the following testimony:

“ T have 9 months left — taking time won’t do me any good. I have problems, I’ve requested treatment. I haven’t had a major infraction for [the] past 4 [years] for [a] dirty U.A. Please be easy on [my] good time.’ ”

DOC Second Suppl. Resp. (Oct. 7, 2002), Attach. B, Disciplinary Hr’g Mins. & Findings.

The hearing officer found Mr. Leland guilty based upon the following reason: “Staff report — U.A. test was confirmed positive by testing. Inmate does not deny use of cocaine but utilized a ‘Not Guilty’ with past good behavior plea.” DOC Second Suppl. Resp. (Oct. 7, 2002), Attach. B, Disciplinary Hr’g Mins. & Findings. The hearing officer imposed sanctions totaling 90 days loss of good time credit and 10 days segregation.

Mr. Leland appealed the guilty finding to the prison superintendent, contending his constitutional rights were violated because he was denied his requested witness statements — his only defense to the infraction. Mr. Leland contended that proper collection procedures were not followed so as to obtain a valid urine sample. He alleged that during his several attempts to submit a sample in the allotted two-hour testing period, seven other urinalysis tests were administered in the same restroom. He claimed that his specimen cup was left uncovered on top of the paper towel dispenser and out of the officers’ view in the restroom after each of his six failed attempts to provide a sample. He alleged that unit porters had access to that restroom, which staff members also used during the testing period. He admitted to having a drug problem and stated he needs treatment.

The superintendent denied Mr. Leland’s appeal, reasoning:

[I]n looking onto this matter I spoke with Officers Hughes, Turner and Neal as to the process they used to collect the urine specimen. All indicated that at no time were there any other [524]*524offenders in the bathroom without being escorted by a staff member. The procedures for collecting urinalysis were followed correctly, as there is no evidence to prove otherwise. The hearing process was also followed correctly and the sanctions imposed are fair.

Appeal Decision attached to Pers. Restraint Pet. (Mar. 5, 2002).

Mr. Leland then filed this personal restraint petition on July 12, 2002, claiming the hearing officer denied his due process rights to present evidence in his own behalf, denied him access to the evidence used against him, and failed to give him reasonable time to prepare a defense. He claimed the outcome of the hearing might have been different had he been allowed to present a defense. He additionally claimed the hearing officer failed to give sufficient reasons for the evidence relied on, but merely relied on the “cursory” staff report of Sergeant Perkins. Thus, the guilty finding did not satisfy evidentiary due process requirements. Mr. Leland requested that the infraction be expunged from his disciplinary file or, in the alternative, that he receive a disciplinary hearing that comports with due process.

On July 31, the court directed DOC to respond to the merits of Mr. Leland’s petition within 30 days. RAP 16.9. On August 26, DOC submitted a response stating, in part:

The Department of Corrections has determined that it will conduct a rehearing of the infractions challenged by Petitioner pursuant to the authority granted in WAC 137-28-380(3) and will adjust Petitioner’s records to reflect the results of such rehearing.

DOC further stated that its decision to rehear the infraction would appear to render Mr. Leland’s challenges moot. DOC finally stated it does not oppose keeping the petition open for a reasonable length of time so that Mr. Leland may challenge the results of the rehearing if he is again found guilty. DOC did not specify the reasons for a rehearing or otherwise address the merits of Mr. Leland’s claims.

On August 29, the court directed DOC to respond to the merits of Mr. Leland’s petition within 20 days, notwith[525]*525standing its August 26 response. DOC filed a supplemental response on September 18, conceding that Mr. Leland did not receive 24 hours notice prior to the disciplinary hearing and that the “witness statements Petitioner requested may not have been provided before the hearing occurred.” DOC Suppl. Resp. (Sept. 18, 2002) at 2. DOC stated that it contested Mr. Leland’s other claims, but its response did not otherwise address the merits of those claims. DOC’s response concluded:

Nevertheless, the Department of Corrections has conducted a rehearing of the infractions challenged by Petitioner pursuant to the authority granted in WAC 137-28-380(3). Accordingly, Petitioner’s challenge to his prior disciplinary hearing and sanctions is moot. BBG Group, LLC v. City of Monroe, 96 Wn. App.

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In Re Leland
61 P.3d 357 (Court of Appeals of Washington, 2003)

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Bluebook (online)
61 P.3d 357, 115 Wash. App. 517, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-the-personal-restraint-of-leland-washctapp-2003.