Michael L. Martin v. Sheriff Richard Tyson

845 F.2d 1451, 1988 U.S. App. LEXIS 6283, 1988 WL 44891

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• Decided: May 9, 1988
• Docket: 87-2371
• Status: Published

Opinions

PER CURIAM.

Michael L. Martin filed this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 against Sheriff Richard Tyson, various Commissioners of Marshall County, Indiana, and prison employees, as individuals and in their official capacities, for violating his constitutional rights while Martin was a pretrial detainee. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants, and this appeal followed.

I

In 1982 Martin was arrested for arson and held in the Marshall County jail for 21 days, until released on bond. In September 1988 Martin was arrested in Houston, Texas, for interstate flight to avoid prosecution. Martin was returned to the Marshall County jail, where he remained until he escaped on November 25, 1983.¹ On September 19, 1984, Martin was arrested in Ohio for non-support and was held in an Ohio jail until October 18, 1984, when he was returned to the Marshall County facility. Martin remained in the Marshall County jail until February 11,1985. This suit is based on the conditions of Martin’s confinement in the Marshall County jail between October 18, 1984, and February 11, 1985.

II

A. Allegation Nine

Martin’s original complaint contained ten allegations and named only the Commissioners of Marshall County and Sheriff Tyson as defendants. On March 7,1986, Martin was given leave to amend his complaint. His amended pleading added the remaining defendants and restated the allegations of his original complaint. Martin did not mention Allegation Nine of his original complaint in the amended complaint. Allegation Nine was that Martin had been denied access to newspapers during his confinement. The district court interpreted Martin’s omission of Allegation Nine as a decision on his part not to pursue this claim, which the court then dismissed.

The language of Martin’s amended complaint suggests that Allegation Nine was incorporated by reference. Martin asked the court to

allow the following wording [in the amended complaint] in addition to the wording already contained in the complaint.

Given the obligation to accord a liberal reading to pro se pleadings, see Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594, 595, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972), we find that Martin’s Allegation Nine survived the amendment of the complaint. The district court should consider this claim on the merits.

We have previously found the arbitrary denial of access to published materials violates an inmate’s first amendment rights. Sizemore v. Williford, 829 F.2d 608, 610 (7th Cir.1987); Kincaid v. Rusk, 670 F.2d 737, 744-45 (7th Cir.1982). See also Mann v. Smith, 796 F.2d 79, 82 (5th Cir.1986). Sheriff Tyson’s affidavit confirms that newspaper delivery to the Marshall County jail inmates was prohibited, although Tyson stated that newspapers could be received on a subscription basis.² Martin argues that this portrayal of the facts is inaccurate, and that the ban on newspapers was absolute. Since the district court has not addressed the merits of this allegation, we must remand the issue.

B. Defendants Overmyer, Schultz, and Baker

The district court dismissed the claims against defendants Overmyer, Schultz, and Baker, then Commissioners of Marshall County. The court held that the Commissioners had no personal involvement with Martin, which precluded liability under § 1983. Rascon v. Hardiman, 803 F.2d 269, 273 (7th Cir.1986), citing Wolf-Lillie v. Sonquist, 699 F.2d 864, 869 (7th Cir.1983). Martin cites several Indiana statutes establishing the administrative standards for state prisons. He argues that the Commissioners were statutorily required to comply with certain policies. This is irrelevant, since a violation of state law does not create liability under § 1983. Gramenos v. Jewel Companies, Inc., 797 F.2d 432, 434-35 (7th Cir.1986).

Martin also sues the Commissioners in their official capacities, which makes this a claim against the governmental unit. Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 690 n. 55, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 2035, n. 55, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978). Although the doctrine of respondeat superior is inapplicable to § 1983 actions, Monell, 436 U.S. at 694, 98 S.Ct. at 2037, a county may be held liable for its official policies. Under Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535, 99 S.Ct. 1861, 1872, 60 L.Ed.2d 447 (1979), a policy that “amounts to punishment of the detainee” is unlawful. There is no evidence, however, that the Marshall County jail’s policies were designed to deprive pretrial detainees of their due process rights. The district court therefore properly granted summary judgment on this claim.

C. Defendants Tyson, Criswell, Giant, Hesler, and Woodward

Defendants Tyson (Sheriff of Marshall County), Criswell (a police officer), Giant, Hesler, and Woodward (three employees of the jail), may have been directly involved with Martin’s confinement. The rights of pretrial detainees are protected under the Due Process Clause of the fourteenth amendment, which prohibits punishment of persons who have not been convicted of a crime. Bell, 441 U.S. at 536 n. 16, 99 S.Ct. at 1872 n. 16. The district court decided that Martin had not been “punished” prematurely.

1. Conspiracy

Martin alleges that defendant Cris-well conspired with Ohio jail officials. When contacted by the Ohio authorities, Criswell identified Martin as an inmate escaped from the Marshall County jail. As a result, Martin maintains that he was incorrectly classified in the Ohio facility. As the district court observed, however, the defendants had no control over the administration of the Ohio jail. Furthermore, Cris-well accurately stated Martin’s status. Martin protests that since the charges against him for the escape were later dropped, the information given to the Ohio authorities was erroneous. On the contrary, Criswell’s statement corresponded with the facts. Plea bargains (which led to the dropping of the escape charge) do not retroactively alter facts.

2. Visitation Policy

Martin also complains of the visiting policy at the jail. The jail limited both the number of visitors and the length of the visits, and “contact” visits were prohibited. On one occasion, Martin’s mother was denied the opportunity to visit with him because she arrived on a day when no visits were scheduled. The Marshall County jail officials assert that these limitations were necessary due to the small size of the jail and the number of people to be accommodated.

The size and location of a facility are relevant factors in determining whether a plaintiff has been constitutionally harmed. Penland v. Warren County Jail, 797 F.2d 332, 335 (6th Cir.1986). The Marshall County jail is a small detention facility in a rural area. Courts must play a limited role in the administration of detention centers. Block v. Rutherford, 468 , 104 S.Ct. 3227, 3231-3232, 82 L.Ed.2d 438 (1984). Summary judgment for the defendants on this point was proper.

3.Access to Courts

Martin asserts that he was denied access to the courts because the Marshall County facility has no law library. Meaningful access to the courts must be provided. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 823, 97 S.Ct. 1491, 1496, 52 L.Ed.2d 72 (1977); United States ex rel. George v. Lane, 718 F.2d 226, 230 (7th Cir.1983). As Bounds recognized, however, this need can be addressed in several ways. The relevant inquiry is whether the inmate has been given a “reasonably adequate opportunity” to present his claim. Bounds, 430 U.S. at 825, 97 S.Ct. at 1496.

Although the Marshall County jail does not have a law library, Martin was represented by counsel on his criminal charges. See Love v. Summit County, 776 F.2d 908, 914 (10th Cir.1985), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 107 S.Ct. 66, 93 L.Ed.2d 25 (1986). The fact that Martin has pressed this suit suggests that he has not been constitutionally harmed. See Howland v. Kilquist, 833 F.2d 639, 642 (7th Cir.1987) (no detriment shown by denial of legal materials); Mann v. Smith, 796 F.2d 79, 84 (5th Cir.1986) (no actual injury shown by pretrial detainee). He does not point to any claim that he was unable to pursue. Consequently, we find that the judgment for defendants on this allegation was appropriate.

4.Classification Hearing

Martin next contends that he was denied a classification hearing prior to his placement in a one-man cell, and later, in an eight-men cell. The fact that Martin was lodged with several other prisoners does not suggest that the practice was unconstitutional. Bell, 441 U.S. at 542, 99 S.Ct. at 1875 (“one man, one cell” principle is not required by Due Process Clause). Martin’s complaint regarding the size of his cell is also without merit. See, e.g., Mann, 796 F.2d at 85 (detainee’s contention that his cell was too small to allow exercise found meritless).

Martin further insists that pretrial detainees should not be lodged with convicted inmates, and that his placement within the Marshall County jail was therefore unacceptable. It does not appear that the Marshall County jail had a classification scheme in place. However, classification of inmates, whether or not desirable, is not a constitutional requirement. See Campbell v. Bergeron, 486 F.Supp. 1246, 1249 (M.D.La.1980), affirmed mem., 654 F.2d 719 (5th Cir.1981). Martin has offered no indication that he has been injured by his cell placement. The grant of summary judgment on this ground is therefore affirmed.

5. Outside Recreation

Martin alleges that he was denied access to sunshine and fresh air, a cruel and unusual punishment and a violation of Indiana state law. We have recognized the importance of adequate ventilation, Shelby County Jail Inmates v. Westlake, 798 F.2d 1085, 1087 (7th Cir.1986), and exercise, French v. Owens, 777 F.2d 1250 (7th Cir.1985), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 107 S.Ct. 77, 93 L.Ed.2d 32 (1986). However, Martin has offered no proof that the ventilation was either inadequate or harmful.

As for access to the outdoors: the defendants admit that Martin was not permitted to exercise outdoors but say there were no facilities to do so. And, they contend, there was adequate space within Martin’s cell to allow exercise. Martin also posed a potential security risk, since he was facing criminal charges for an escape from the jail. See, e.g., Bell, 441 U.S. at 546 n. 28, 99 S.Ct. at 1878 n. 28 Since the limitation on his access to the outdoors is related to a legitimate prison concern, Martin has suffered no constitutional deprivation.

6.Mail Handling

According to Martin, the defendants opened his personal mail outside of his presence. As stated in Martin v. Brewer, 830 F.2d 76 (7th Cir.1987), the Free Speech Clause of the first amendment applies to communications with prison inmates, particularly when one of the correspondents is not imprisoned. The communication is not without restriction, however, due to the security problems inherent in jails. Id. at 78. The inspection of Martin’s personal mail for contraband served a legitimate purpose and did not violate his first amendment rights. As a pretrial detainee, Martin was not immune from the regulatory practices of the jail. Bell, 441 U.S. at 540, 99 S.Ct. at 1874 1875. Furthermore, the recognized safeguards on prison mail handling usually apply to the opening of legal mail, not personal correspondence. Martin, 830 F.2d at 78. Thus, there has been no constitutional infringement.

7.Segregation of Prisoners

Upon his arrival at the jail, Martin complains that he was placed in segregation for six days. At the time, Martin was facing a charge of felony escape. Since the segregation was a legitimate response to a security risk, it was permissible. Hewitt v. Helms, 459 U.S. 460, 103 S.Ct. 864, 74 L.Ed.2d 675 (1983). Martin does not identify regulations comparable to those in Hewitt limiting the jailers’ substantive discretion. The summary judgment for defendants on this ground is affirmed.

8.Physical Conditions

Martin complains of several other aspects of his confinement. For example, he protests that he was denied use of a pillow, and that he had to wear tennis shoes that had been previously worn. He objects to the lack of cleaning supplies and the infrequency of the laundry schedule. As the district court observed, the conditions at the Marshall County jail may be far from ideal. But again, the Marshall County jail is a small, rural jail, and jails do not have to duplicate the amenities of small, rural hotels. In order to make out a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Martin must show that intentional actions of the defendants served to deprive him of a constitutional right. Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 106 S.Ct. 662, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986). He has not been constitutionally harmed here.

9.Medical and Dental Care

Martin also complains that he was denied medical care on two occasions, and that there was no doctor on the staff of the jail. Martin had an ear infection during his stay at the jail.³ He also broke his tooth while eating a bowl of beans that he says contained a rock. Martin contends that he requested treatment for his ear infection on October 19, 1984, and that he sought attention for his tooth as early as October 31, 1984, but that treatment for these conditions was delayed or denied.⁴ Martin alleges that he has suffered permanent damage due to delay in treating his ear infection.

An act or practice that violates the eighth amendment also violates the due process rights of pretrial detainees. Matzker v. Herr, 748 F.2d 1142, 1146 (7th Cir.1984). Pretrial detainees’ rights are infringed “when a jailer fails to promptly and reasonably procure competent medical aid”. Id. at 1147. We do not condone delay in providing medical treatment. See Matzker, 748 F.2d at 1147 (medical care denied to the plaintiff for three months, resulting in permanent injury). Nonetheless, Matzker is limited to situations where medical treatment is withheld from an inmate with serious medical problems. A physician examined Martin on November 16, 1985. Martin never mentioned his tooth, or complained of any attendant pain when he met with the physician for his ear infection. The fact that Martin did not mention his tooth problem to the doctor who treated his ear infection is noteworthy. Although a dental professional would have been better suited to care for the tooth, the doctor might have been able to alleviate his discomfort. At the very least, the doctor could have alerted the jail administrators that dental treatment was required. Finally, Martin has not produced any evidence to sustain his allegation that he has suffered permanent damage as a result. Any delays in treating Martin, even if negligent, simply are not the type of deliberate indifference which the eighth amendment prohibits. Shockley v. Jones, 823 F.2d 1068, 1072 (7th Cir.1987).

10. Telephone Use

Martin takes issue with telephone access at the jail. Inmates were entitled to place a telephone call every other day. For security reasons, the lines were monitored to ensure that they were placed to the designated party, although a non-monitored line was also available for legal calls. Due process rights are not infringed when the imposition in question is reasonably related to a legitimate governmental purpose. Bell, 441 U.S. at 538, 99 S.Ct. at 1873. Since security is a vital concern in jails, this practice is lawful.

Ill

The district court’s grant of summary judgment for the defendants is hereby affirmed. The dismissal of Allegation Nine is vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings.

1 . Martin objects to any reference to his 1983 departure from the jail as an escape, since the criminal charge against him for the escape was later dropped pursuant to a plea agreement'. Martin can use whatever nomenclature he likes, but an unauthorized departure from jail is an escape. United States v. Bailey, 444 U.S. 394, 100 S.Ct. 624, 62 L.Ed.2d 575 (1980). That Martin has not been convicted of escape does not alter the facts.

2 . The newspapers would be delivered by mail, a method that would presumably minimize the potential for smuggling contraband into the institution. See, e.g., Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 549, 99 S.Ct. 1861, 1879, 60 L.Ed.2d 447 (1979).

3 . It is not clear whether Martin arrived at the jail with the infection or whether the condition developed during his stay.

4 . Martin was never provided with a dental appointment, and his tooth was removed in April 1985 upon his transfer to the Department of Correction Reformatory.