Judge Shira A. Scheindlin
A Green Haven Correctional Facility inmate, Peoples alleged that in 2009 U.C.C. forms—barred by Rule 113.30 of the New York’s Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Standards of Inmate Behavior—were seized after his cell was ordered searched. He was moved to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) where he was injured in a fight. After a hearing on a misbehavior report arising from that incident, Peoples was punished by three years in the SHU, loss of privileges and loss “good time” credit. Appeal was denied. Peoples’ action under 42 USC §1983 alleged search of his cell was prompted by state prosecutors who forwarded letters from Peoples—including evidence that he possessed the prohibited U.C.C. materials—to Green Haven’s superintendent. The court dismissed the prosecutor defendants from the suit, as he did not show their direct involvement in his injuries stemming from seizures by Green Haven officials. Further, the prosecutor defendants were entitled to qualified immunity. Peoples failed to show they violated any clearly established constitutional or statutory right when they mailed Peoples’ communications, revealing his possession of prohibited materials, to DOCS officials.
