Opinion
No. 1:19-cv-00695-SKO (HC)
05-23-2019
JULIUS JAMES MONYOUKAYE, Petitioner, v. ASSISTANT WARDEN PARR, Respondent.
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ASSIGN DISTRICT JUDGE
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
[TWENTY-ONE DAY DEADLINE]
On May 20, 2019, Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus. He states a correctional officer denied him the opportunity to eat breakfast on the morning of May 20, 2018, and he seeks damages in the amount of $12,500.00. The Court finds that Petitioner fails to establish grounds for habeas corpus relief, and that the proper avenue for his complaints is a Bivens action pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971). Accordingly, the Court will recommend that the petition be DISMISSED without prejudice to filing a Bivens action.
DISCUSSION
Petitioner contends he and another inmate were on their way to the chow hall on the morning of May 20, 2018, when he was approached by Lieutenant Roupe and told to "hit the bricks." (Doc. 1 at 7.) The other inmate was allowed to stay and eat but Petitioner was told to leave without eating breakfast. (Doc. 1 at 7.)
Petitioner is advised that a civil rights action, not a habeas corpus proceeding, is the proper mechanism for a prisoner seeking to challenge the conditions of his confinement. See Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971); Crawford v. Bell, 599 F.2d 890, 891-892 (9th Cir. 1979) (upholding dismissal of petition challenging conditions of confinement, the Ninth Circuit noted that "the writ of habeas corpus is limited to attacks upon the legality or duration of confinement."); see, e.g., Blow v. Bureau of Prisons, 2007 WL 2403561 at *1 (E.D.Cal. Aug. 20, 2007) (habeas relief under § 2241 does not extend to petitioner's request for access to law library because it concerns conditions of his confinement); Boyce v. Ashcroft, 251 F.3d 911, 914 (10th Cir. 2001), vacated on other grounds by Boyce v. Ashcroft, 268 F.3d 953 (10th Cir. 2001)("[P]risoners . . . who raise constitutional challenges to other prison decisions-including transfers to administrative segregation, exclusion from prison programs, or suspension of privileges, e.g., conditions of confinement, must proceed under Section 1983 or Bivens."). Accordingly, Petitioner is not entitled to habeas corpus relief under § 2241 and this action should be dismissed without prejudice to his filing a Bivens civil rights action.
In Nettles v. Grounds, the Ninth Circuit held that a district court has the discretion to construe a habeas petition by a prisoner as a civil rights action. Nettles v. Grounds, 830 F.3d 922, 936 (9th Cir. 2016). Recharacterization is appropriate only if it is "amenable to conversion on its face, meaning that it names the correct defendants and seeks the correct relief," and only after the petitioner is warned of the consequences of conversion and is provided an opportunity to withdraw or amend the petition. Id. However, the Ninth Circuit ruling in Nettles concerned state prisoners and was not extended to federal prisoners. But even assuming Nettles can be extended to federal prisoners, the Court does not find recharacterization to be appropriate because the instant petition is not amenable to conversion on its face. Accordingly, the Court should not exercise its discretion to recharacterize the action. The Court will recommend that the Clerk of Court provide blank forms for filing a Bivens action.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall randomly assign a district judge to this case.
RECOMMENDATION
Accordingly, the Court RECOMMENDS that the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus be DISMISSED without prejudice to Petitioner commencing a Bivens action, and the Clerk of Court be DIRECTED to provide Petitioner with blank forms for filing a Bivens action.
This Findings and Recommendations is submitted to the United States District Court Judge assigned to the case pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B) and Rule 304 of the Local Rules of Practice for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. Within twenty-one days after being served with a copy of this Findings and Recommendations, Petitioner may file written objections with the Court. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations. The Court will then review the Magistrate Judge's ruling pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C). Petitioner is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the Order of the District Court. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: May 23 , 2019
/s/ Sheila K . Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE